Do you have a tough time showing off your smile when it’s less than pearly white? Has your everyday need for coffee caused your teeth to lose their natural shine? Teeth whitening can eliminate years of stains from different foods and drinks. Years of tobacco use, coffee or tea drinking, or just through natural aging processes can cause discolored teeth.
However, teeth whitening services can make you look younger and feel more confident every time you smile. Are you not sure if an affordable teeth whitening treatment is the best answer for your discolored or stained teeth? A quick consultation with our dentists can help you decide.
You can always brighten your smile, no matter your age. Teeth whitening at the dentist is one of the safest and most convenient cosmetic dentistry procedures available today. This dental procedure provides you with a quick and economic smile makeover.
Dr. Trinkner and Dr. Keefer offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatments. We will give you a healthier and younger-looking smile using only the best professional bleaching products.
Teeth Whitening Options in Columbia, SC
Over-the-counter tooth whiteners advertise that they can create whiter teeth quickly and easily. The truth is that whitening strips, whitening toothpaste, and gels whiten your teeth very slowly. They can’t give you that same level of brightness you’d get from having a dentist whiten your teeth either. Some over-the-counter products actually contain chemicals that can cause damage to your teeth and gums.
In-office Teeth Whitening
Visit a dentist and have the procedure done by a professional. Otherwise, you may be throwing your money away on products that don’t whiten properly. Some active ingredients in those products are bad for your long-term oral health.
Maintaining the health of your teeth during the whitening process is important. Our dentist in Columbia, SC, only uses teeth whitening products that manage sensitivity and offer predictable results. Professional teeth whitening by Dr. Tom Trinkner is completely safe for you and your teeth.
Our in-office teeth whitening treatments provide very fast and dramatic results. The process often accompanies our cosmetic dentistry procedures. We can also use it to boost your at-home teeth whitening efforts.
You can undergo treatment in as little as one hour at our dental office. We will apply a whitening gel to your teeth and then expose them to a special light. The UV light will activate the bleaching agent and whiten your teeth quickly.
At-home Teeth Whitening
Dr. Trinkner or Dr. Keefer also provide at-home teeth whitening treatments. We will create a custom-fit bleaching tray in just a few days. The tray will protect your gums and whiten your teeth evenly. You can use the trays to gradually bleach your teeth.
Use them to also touch-up previous tooth whitening if it begins to get dull. At-home teeth whitening kits provide a more gradual whitening process. Most patients wear their bleaching trays for several hours a day, or overnight for two to four weeks.
Not everyone wants to have their teeth whitened in a single day. It can be startling to suddenly have bright white teeth when you have lived with severe stains for years. Our dentist can provide you with tooth whitening tools that you can take home and use regularly.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Will the teeth whitening procedure leave my teeth sensitive?
Some patients experience tooth sensitivity after a teeth whitening procedure. This is a temporary issue and will go away on its own. You can manage it with desensitizing toothpaste or gels. The procedure should not cause pain or discomfort to your teeth and gums.
Teeth whitening exposes bright tooth enamel that stains hide. Tooth sensitivity will die-down after your enamel adjusts to the treatment. This can take a couple of days, but no longer than a few weeks. If you experience ongoing pain or discomfort, call our dentists to address any potential issues.
How long do teeth whitening results last?
A single teeth whitening treatment at the dentist can last between 6 months to 2 years! Results will vary from person-to-person. Lifestyle habits such as smoking, and drinking coffee, wine and soda can shorten results. You can expect your treatment to last a long time by practicing excellent oral hygiene habits.
Brush at least twice a day, floss, and use mouthwash regularly. Dr. Trinkner recommends whitening your teeth every six months to keep them bright. Overdoing it can damage your enamel, so always consult with a dentist before getting professional whitening treatments.
Can children get professional teeth whitening?
Children who are under the age of 13 should avoid teeth whitening because their teeth are still developing. Pregnant or lactating women should also avoid teeth whitening procedures. The calcium in their teeth tend to weaken during pregnancy. Everyone else can approach teeth whitening as a safe and effective way to erase years of staining.
Can I whiten restorations like porcelain veneers and dental crowns?
Dentists can’t whiten restorations like porcelain veneers, dental crowns, dentures and fillings. Unlike natural tooth enamel, restorations do not respond to traditional teeth whitening methods. Consult with our team to explore other options, like replacing or repairing the prosthetics to achieve your desired shade.
Teeth Whitening Case
This gentleman visited our Columbia, SC, dental office for teeth whitening. His front teeth were misshapen and stained. Dr. Trinkner used porcelain veneers to restore the front teeth, and teeth bleaching to lighten the other teeth.
We are aware that over-the-counter teeth whitening products are available in some stores. While these options may be effective for some, they are not as reliable as professional whitening solutions. Oftentimes the results are uneven because of improper application or they cause teeth sensitivity.
Professional teeth whitening may be costly for some, but a dentist safely preforms the treatment to ensure effective results. Our dentist will ensure that you get the results you actually want. We tailor our treatments specifically to your mouth, unlike store-bought solutions that take a one-size-fits-all approach to teeth whitening. Utilizing dental impressions, we customize your whitening trays to your smile to ensure they fit snuggly over all angles of your teeth.
Our cosmetic dentists will give you a result that is beautiful and consistent instead of blotchy and uneven. Dr. Trinkner can restore your smile to its natural beauty. Call us for teeth whitening near you at 803-400-8729 to schedule a consultation, or request an appointment online.