Dental Procedures

Teeth whitening is a quick, non-invasive dental solution that lightens and brightens the color of a patient’s natural tooth enamel and is a simple, painless treatment that instantly enhances your smile.

Having bright, white teeth has gained popularity and is now considered the number one aesthetic priority of most dental patients.  There are a variety of different methods available for teeth whitening.  The most common treatments are store bought tooth whitening systems that seem to work fairly well.  However, the bleaches in tooth whitening kits only work on natural tooth enamel, making it crucial for one to consider the replacement of any existing fixed prosthodontic crowns or bridges and/or fillings.  If you decide, in consultation with your dental team at Westwoods Dental, to replace older restorations we suggest completing these procedures after achieving the level of whitening you desire, which enables your dental team to best match the replacement work to your newly brightened teeth.

Although long lasting, teeth whitening is not permanent. The frequency at which you decide to “touch-up” your smile depends on your personal preferences along with your exposure to cigarette smoke, coffee, tea and red wine.

Reasons for teeth whitening

Some common reasons for teeth whitening include:

• Fluorosis: molting of tooth enamel resulting from excessive fluoride exposure during tooth development
• Attrition: wear to tooth structure
• Stained teeth secondary to certain medications during tooth development
• Yellow or brown stained teeth.

What does teeth whitening involve?

At Westwoods Dental, teeth whitening usually takes two visits to our office.  During the first appointment, impressions (molds) will be taken and used to manufacture custom, clear plastic, trays.

At your next visit, the trays will be fitted and any adjustments will be made if needed.  The duration, frequency and time of each treatment depend on the whitening kit utilized, the severity of staining and level of whitening desired, and the patient susceptibility and tolerance to temporary dental sensitivity. Experiencing tooth sensitivity to hot and cold is normal when you are whitening your teeth.   This symptom will go away soon after you have stopped whitening treatments. In severe cases of tooth sensitivity, desensitizing toothpaste can be used a few weeks prior to starting the whitening procedures and during the procedure. Ask your knowledgeable dental team at Westwoods Dental if you fall into this category of sensitive teeth while teeth whitening.