Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple teeth whitening procedure. It’s safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to begin teeth whitening. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much of each show when you talk and smile.At Arvada Dental Center, we offer two alternatives: LaserWhite*20 In-Office Whitening System and Venus White Pro Take-Home Whitening System. The main difference between the two systems is that you use the Venus White Pro Take-Home Whitening System in the convenience of your own home for a period of about two weeks.
The LaserWhite*20 In-Office System is performed entirely in the office, in under one hour.If you prefer teeth that are immediately whiter right now, the LaserWhite*20 In-Office Whitening System is State-Of-The-Art. It utilizes our laser’s unique monochromatic characteristics, along with a proprietary wave-length-specific photon activated gel, the LaserWhite*20 In-Office Whitening System provides gentle, safe, fast, and effective whitening. Your teeth will whiten an average of 6 to 12 shades in under an hour while you relax at our office. It’s ideal for anyone who wants immediate results.
If you would rather whiten your teeth at home, we offer the Venus White Pro Take-Home Whitening System. In only a day or two, your custom whitening trays will be ready for you to take home. We provide you with a special whitening agent that you put into the clear, nearly invisible trays. With an average of only one hour of wear per day, our special whitening agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the brightness you want, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile. We’ll want to take “after” photos at your next appointment.
The Venus White Pro Take-Home Whitening system’s custom trays are designed to be worn approximately one hour per application, for about two weeks. If instructions are correctly followed for the two-week period, your smile will look brighter and more radiant. This product has received top billing in Men’s Fitness Magazine.
Teeth whitening can be used to correct many tooth discolorations. These discolorations may have been caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in whitening technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful, “brilliant” smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice. However, because of the low cost of whitening treatments, whitening is nearly always worth a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whitening a new procedure? Teeth whitening was discovered about eighty years ago as a side effect of a product that decreased inflammation and bleeding after gum surgery. In 1989, the American Dental Association approved the first whitening product for consumers.
How does the Venus White Pro Take-Home Whitening system work? Venus White Pro contains carbamide peroxide which releases oxygen molecules to break up the chains of protein that comprise tooth stains. As a result, light travels through the dispersed protein links and makes the teeth look whiter.
How does the LaserWhite*20 In-Office Whitening System work? The LaserWhite*20 gel has been specifically formulated to work with Biolase diode laser systems. The laser energy is absorbed by special particles in the LaserWhite*20 gel to activate the hydrogen peroxide, accelerating the whitening procedure. First, the LaserWhite*20 gel is placed on the teeth. The teeth are divided into 4 sections (quadrants). Each quadrant receives two treatments of 30 seconds of laser exposure with the ezlase 940 (or four treatments of 15 seconds with the LaserSmile). Dividing the teeth into quadrants allows the laser to accelerate the whitening process while minimizing heat-induced to the teeth. The gel is left on the teeth for an additional 5 minutes after the ezlase 940 laser exposures (1 minute for LaserSmile) to allow the teeth to absorb the laser-activated hydrogen peroxide, allowing continued whitening after the laser exposures. Two gel applications are required.
How do teeth become stained? There are two major types of stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic stains result from a change in the internal color of the tooth caused by agents such as fluorosis, certain medications or from trauma to the tooth. Extrinsic stains result from repeated exposure to substances such as coffee, tea and cigarettes, and affect only the surface of the tooth. Our teeth also become more susceptible to staining as we age.
Does laser whitening hurt? The LaserWhite*20 procedure should not cause patient discomfort if used correctly. To reduce or prevent tooth sensitivity during and after the procedure, the dentist may recommend appropriate pain relief medication 30 to 60 minutes prior to the procedure and postoperatively. A desensitizing gel containing potassium nitrate is included in the LaserWhite*20 kit, and may be used in a custom tray in the same manner as a take-home whitening gel as needed. Also, vitamin E ointment may be applied to irritated gum tissue at the end of the procedure.
Will my teeth stay white forever? Generally, color begins to fade slightly immediately after whitening, then remains stable for 6 months to a year (sometimes longer). It is recommended that you maintain your results by touching up your smile every 4-6 months with 1 or 2 applications. You will need to maintain your teeth to keep their brightness and shine. Visiting your dentist regularly and avoiding foods and activities that can darken teeth (like coffee, alcohol, sugars, and smoking) will help keep your teeth white and healthy. Consistently using Venus White Pro as recommended will also help keep your smile bright and beautiful.
Will the whitening gels whiten my veneers, caps (crowns), and tooth-colored fillings? Both whitening systems will only work on natural tooth structure. This means that all dental work (including but not limited to tooth-colored fillings, veneers, crowns, and bridges) will NOT whiten. If you have these kinds of dental work, they would need to be replaced to match the newly whitened teeth.
Why is it not recommended to whiten your teeth while pregnant or nursing? To date, no studies have been done to determine whether it’s harmful or not. To be on the safe side, we recommend that you do not whiten your teeth while pregnant or nursing.
How does laser whitening with LaserWhite*20 gel compare to other whitening systems? First of all, the ezlase and LaserSmile are the only laser-based whitening systems. Although other products such as BriteSmile and Zoom utilize light as part of their system, they do not use a laser. Studies have shown that laser-based whitening systems (1) take less time to administer and (2) deliver superior results compared to non-laser systems. According to an American Dental Association Professional Product Review from Spring 2008, the treatment cycles of BriteSmile and Zoom 2 are 90 and 60 minutes, respectively. By comparison, the protocol developed for the LaserWhite*20 gel and ezlase 940 or LaserSmile laser system takes less than 20 minutes! The ADA Professional Product Review from Spring 2008 and a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry in Summer 2003 both concluded that the LaserSmile with LaserWhite10 gel provided approximately 9 shades of improvement, compared to approximately 8 shades of improvement from non-laser systems. We expect that the LaserWhite*20 gel and either ezlase 940 or LaserSmile will deliver even better whitening results compared to the LaserSmile with LaserWhite10 gel.
Considerations
Again, whitening is a quick and easy way to brighten your smile! While many over-the-counter whitening agents exist, experts agree that professional whitening systems from your dentist offer better results that last longer. A healthy smile epitomizes the most powerful components of health, beauty, and wellness, including increased confidence and improved self-esteem. Schedule an appointment with Divine Dental and achieve that brighter and more radiant new smile that you have always dreamed of!