A bright smile can help you feel confident and ready for anything. Teeth whitening is a safe way to remove stains and lighten the color of your teeth. It’s one of our most popular cosmetic dental treatments at Strafford Dental.
Whether you want a fast in-office treatment or a take-home option you use on your own time, Dr. Eric Gartner 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, natural-looking dental crowns, porcelain veneers, or cosmetic 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. Dr. Gartner checks 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 results.
Dr. Gartner will 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 up a plan that fits your timeline and comfort level.
If you choose in-office whitening, you can see a significant change in 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:
- Dr. Gartner records your starting shade and takes 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 the bright, healthy, youthful–looking smile. Sapphire whitening can make your smile over 7 shades brighter in a single 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 works 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, please contact our dental practice in Wayne, PA, to schedule an appointment today.
Take-Home Whitening With Opalescence
Opalescence Take Home Whitening Gels are only available through your dentist. While you use the Opalescence Tooth Whitening System, your dentist will supervise your treatment from the 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, reducing sensitivity, and increasing 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, though results may vary and may take up to a week to be noticeable.
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 three treatment options: Opalescence®, Opalescence GO!™, and Opalescence aftercare 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. Dr. Gartner 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 request an appointment online. Dr. Eric Gartner 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.