Teeth Whitening

Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening continues to grow in popularity among consumers. As a non-invasive and painless cosmetic dentistry procedure, in-office whitening can brighten teeth multiple shades after just one visit. Over-the-counter (OTC) products are also available but require multiple treatments to achieve a result.

River Rock Dental Group in Belgrade, MT, offers professional Zoom! teeth whitening for patients wishing to improve their smile. The combination of a bleaching agent and light activation removes years of stains from the teeth’s surface. Contact our dental office to schedule your professional teeth whitening consultation!

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Whitening Strips or In-Office Teeth Whitening?

Whitening strips are a popular, convenient, and inexpensive choice for whitening teeth. Those looking to whiten their smile can purchase strips without a prescription at nearly any grocery store, pharmacy, or big box store. Users place the whitening strips onto their teeth and leave them on for a specified time (from 5-30 minutes) before removing them.

However, the cons of whitening strips often outweigh the pros for most patients. The downsides of whitening strips include:

• The adhesive occasionally falls, making strips unusable. 
• Overuse or leaving the strips on your teeth for too long can damage enamel. 
• Tooth and/or gum sensitivity are common.
• They might not work, depending on the cause of your stains.

Extrinsic vs. Intrinsic Stains

There are two primary types of tooth stains: extrinsic and intrinsic. Certain factors contribute to each classification, and some patients may have both.

Extrinsic stains:

• Commonly result from external factors and behaviors (i.e., smoking, tobacco use, eating dark foods like tomatoes, and drinking beverages such as coffee)
• Vary in color and can worsen by lifestyle habits, poor dental hygiene, or frequently eating and drinking dark substances

Intrinsic stains:

• Occur within the tooth’s enamel or underlying dentin
• Often arise from systemic causes (i.e., genetics, aging, certain antibiotics, and amalgam, or silver, dental restorations)

The Zoom! Whitening Process

The first step to Zoom! whitening is a comprehensive examination. In the exam, Dr. Timothy R. Lund analyzes your teeth and gums to determine whether you’re a good candidate. He will ask you questions regarding your oral hygiene and lifestyle habits to ensure you will benefit from the treatment.

Next, we recommend dental cleaning to remove plaque buildup, leaving a smooth tooth surface. Then, our team records your current and optimal shades before prepping your mouth with gauze. We will place retractors to keep your cheeks, tongue, and lips away from the bleaching agent and protect your gums with a barrier.

After that, Dr. Lund will apply the hydrogen peroxide whitening gel to the front surface of your teeth. The gel remains for 15 minutes while we utilize the Zoom! Advanced Power Chairside Lamp to activate it. As the hydrogen peroxide solution breaks down, oxygen enters your enamel and dentin to bleach the stained surfaces without damaging your teeth.

We’ll perform three cycles of 15 minutes, equaling about 45 minutes altogether. After the third round, we’ll immediately apply a fluoride solution to reduce gum and tooth sensitivity. Then, you can flaunt your visibly whiter smile!

Teeth Whitening Aftercare

We give many patients a Zoom! touchup kit to use at home between appointments if necessary. Ensure you follow the instructions carefully to avoid exposing your tongue, cheeks, lips, and gums to the bleaching gel. Don’t eat or drink anything that can cause extrinsic stains within 24 hours of treatment. Finally, maintain a proper oral hygiene regimen and visit our Belgrade dentist’s office twice a year for cleanings.

Schedule a Consultation for Professional Teeth Whitening in Belgrade

Patients in Belgrade, MT, and the surrounding areas trust River Rock Dental Group for their dentistry treatments and procedures. We dedicate our practice to best serving patients of all ages with their dental needs. When you visit our office, you receive the utmost care and professionalism.

We can help whether you need implants, veneers, wisdom teeth removal, or professional teeth whitening. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

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