A bright smile can help you feel confident and ready for anything. Teeth whitening is a safe, simple way to lift stains and lighten the color of your teeth. Whether you want a fast in-office treatment or a take-home option you use on your own time, we can help you choose the right path for your smile goals.
What is Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening uses special gels to break up and remove stains on your teeth. These gels contain ingredients like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. They work by moving into tiny pores in your enamel and lifting stains from food, drinks, and daily life. Professional whitening is stronger and more controlled than store-bought options, so you can see better results in less time.
Common reasons for teeth discoloration and stains:
- Foods and drinks: coffee, tea, red wine, soda, dark juices, sports drinks, soy sauce, curry, tomatoes, and berries
- Tobacco: smoking or vaping can cause yellow or brown stains
- Age: enamel gets thinner over time, so the yellow dentin under it shows more
- Poor oral hygiene: plaque and tartar can trap stains
- Certain medicines and health factors: some antibiotics, high fluoride as a child, or past tooth injury can darken teeth
- Genetics: some people have naturally darker teeth or thinner enamel
It is helpful to know that whitening changes the color of natural tooth enamel. It does not lighten fillings, crowns, veneers, or bonding. If you have these restorations on front teeth, we can plan the best order of care so your smile looks even.
What to Expect
Your whitening process starts with a simple exam. We check your teeth and gums to make sure whitening is right for you. If you have cavities, gum disease, or heavy tartar, we will treat those first. A clean, healthy mouth helps you get the best and safest result.
We talk with you about your goals and look at a shade guide to set a target color. Some people want a bright, dramatic change. Others prefer a natural, fresh look. We will set a plan that fits your timeline and your comfort.
If you choose in-office whitening, you can see a big change in one visit that lasts about an hour. If you choose take-home whitening, you will whiten a little each day until you reach your goal, usually in one to two weeks.
Sensitivity can happen during or after whitening. It is usually mild and goes away within a day or two. We can use a gentler gel, shorter wear times, or a desensitizing paste to keep you comfortable.
Results can last many months. How long they last depends on your habits. Drinking dark drinks, smoking, and not brushing well can dull your results faster. With good care and small touch-ups, your smile can stay bright for a long time.
Simple tips to protect your new shade:
- Rinse with water after coffee, tea, or wine
- Use a straw for dark drinks
- Brush twice a day with a gentle, whitening toothpaste
- Do regular cleanings and checkups
- Use your touch-up gel as advised
In-Office Teeth Whitening With Sapphire
In-office whitening is fast, powerful, and done under the care of a dental team. Here is how a typical visit goes:
- We record your starting shade and take photos if you like.
- A protective barrier is placed over your gums and lips to keep them safe.
- The whitening gel is painted on your teeth. Some systems also use a special light to activate the gel. Not all systems need a light, and both can work well.
- The gel stays on for about 15 minutes per cycle. We check your comfort and repeat for two to three cycles.
- We rinse your teeth, compare the new shade, and review aftercare tips.
The Sapphire professional teeth whitening system is a safe, gentle, and effective way to whiten teeth and achieve that bright, healthy, youthful–looking smile you’ve always wanted. Sapphire whitening can make your smile over seven shades brighter in one office visit!
Sapphire is a revolutionary teeth whitening system that combines the powerful effects of the Sapphire Plasma Arc Light with a professional-grade teeth whitening gel. The combination of light and gel work together to give you a whiter, more stunning smile in less time than other forms of teeth whitening.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Sapphire teeth whitening system, and how a brighter, whiter smile can change your life, then please contact our practice to schedule an appointment today.
Take-Home Whitening With Opalescence
Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gels are only available through your dentist. While using the Opalescence Tooth Whitening System, your dentist will supervise your treatment from initial consultation through completion. The special whitening gel will not affect your gums, and in many cases can help improve your oral health by strengthening tooth enamel, decreasing sensitivity, and offering increased cavity prevention.
Effective
Powerful, prescription-strength Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gels are available in varying strengths depending on your dental needs. Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gels can provide results after just one night, although results may vary and can take up to a week before you experience noticeable changes.
Customized
Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gels are delivered through customized bleaching trays designed to fit your unique smile. Your dentist will create your personal trays from an alginate impression of your mouth; this customization is part of what makes Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gels so effective.
Further customize your Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gel experience by choosing from the three different treatment options: Opalescence®, Opalescence GO!™, and Opalescence after-care toothpastes.
Talk with your dentist about what options are available to you.
Please contact our practice to schedule a consultation, or visit Opalescence to learn more about the Opalescence Tooth Whitening System.
Benefits of Whitening Your Teeth
- Boosts confidence: A brighter smile helps you feel your best at work, school, and social events
- Quick results: In-office whitening can lighten your teeth several shades in about an hour
- Flexible options: Choose in-office, take-home, or a mix for speed and control
- Safe and guided: Professional care protects your gums and enamel
- Custom look: We set a shade goal that fits your face, skin tone, and style
- Fresh, clean feel: Whitening often motivates better daily brushing and flossing
- Event-ready: Perfect for weddings, reunions, photos, and interviews
- Cost-effective: Compared to other cosmetic options, whitening is a simple way to make a big change
- Conservative: No drilling or shots, just brighter natural teeth
Is whitening right for you? Most healthy adults are good candidates. If you have deep internal stains from old trauma or certain medicines, results may take longer or be more limited. We will be honest about what to expect and can suggest other options if needed.
Ready to brighten your smile? Call us at 610-600-1559 or use our online form to schedule a visit to talk about your goals. We will check your teeth and gums, answer your questions, and help you choose in-office or take-home whitening. With the right plan and simple care tips, you can enjoy a whiter, healthier-looking smile that lasts.