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 that are created by different foods and drinks. Teeth can become discolored after years of tobacco use, coffee or tea drinking, or just through natural aging processes. Having your teeth whitened can make you look younger and feel more confident every time you smile.
A quick consultation with your dentist can help you determine whether or not teeth whitening is the best answer for your discolored or stained teeth.
It’s never too late to brighten your smile. Teeth whitening is one of the safest and most convenient cosmetic dentistry procedures available today. This dental procedure provides you a quick and economic smile makeover. Using only the best professional bleaching products, Dr. Trinkner and Dr. Keefer offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening treatments that will give you a healthier and younger-looking smile.
Teeth Whitening Treatment in Columbia, SC
Over-the-counter tooth whiteners advertise that they can create whiter teeth quickly and easily. The truth is that whitening strips, toothpaste, and gels whiten your teeth very slowly and cannot provide the same quality of brightness that you would experience from having your teeth whitened by a professional dentist.
Some over-the-counter products actually contain chemicals that can cause damage to your teeth and gums. If you are really interested in having your teeth whitened, it is best to 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 or 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, dramatic results. The process is often used along with our cosmetic dentistry procedures and/or to boost at-home teeth whitening efforts. If you are more interested in having your teeth whitened right away, you can undergo treatment in as little as two hours at the dentist’s office. A whitening gel is applied to the teeth and then exposed to a light that activates it and whitens your teeth quickly.
For at-home teeth whitening treatment, Dr. Trinkner or Dr. Keefer will create a custom-fit bleaching tray to protect your gums and whiten teeth evenly. Custom bleach trays can be created in just a few days. You can use the trays to gradually bleach your teeth or to touch up previous tooth whitening if it begins to get dull. 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. Your dentist can provide you with tooth whitening tools that you can take home and use regularly to provide a more gradual whitening process. Most patients wear their bleaching trays for several hours a day, or overnight for two to four weeks.
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. Teeth whitening exposes bright tooth enamel that has been buried by stains. Tooth sensitivity will die down once your enamel gets used to the treatment. This can take up to a couple of days.
How long does teeth whitening last?
A single teeth whitening treatment at the dentist can last between 6 months to 2 years. Results will vary from person-to-person and can be affected by lifestyle habits such as smoking, and drinking coffee, wine, and soda. You can expect your treatment to last a long time if you have excellent oral hygiene habits. Brush at least twice a day, floss, and use mouthwash regularly.
Can children get professional teeth whitening?
Children who are under the age of 13 should avoid tooth whitening because their teeth are still forming. Pregnant or lactating women should also avoid tooth whitening procedures because the calcium in their teeth may be weakened by their pregnancy. Everyone else can approach tooth whitening as a safe and effective way to erase years of damage and staining from their teeth.
Teeth Whitening Case
This gentleman visited our Columbia, SC dental office for teeth whitening. His front teeth were misshapen and discolored. Dr. Trinkner used porcelain veneers to restore the front teeth and teeth bleaching to lighten the other teeth and restore the smile to a natural beauty.
Call us at 803-400-8729 to schedule a consultation, or request an appointment online.