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(989)
872-3870
6240
Hill Street
Cass City, MI 48726
E-mail us
for more
information
Copyright © 2003
James
D. Thomas, DDS, PC
All Rights Reserved |
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The
most common cosmetic dental procedure, tooth whitening, is
easily done and is convenient for the patient.
Bleaching
and whitening lightens stains or discoloration commonly caused
by age, drinking coffee, tea or red wine, or smoking.
Whitening can be performed on living teeth or teeth that have
undergone
root
canal treatment.
There
are two types of professional tooth whitening procedures used
in our office: a take-home whitening kit and a one-hour in-office
procedure.
Professional
Take-Home Whitening Kit
 The
take-home whitening process dispensed by our dentist’s
office involves the placement of a whitening gel in a custom
fitted tray. The tray is prepared by your dentist during your
first office visit. The gel is worn overnight, while you sleep,
or for 1-2 hours each day for about two weeks. As the active
ingredient in the gel, carbamide peroxide, is broken down,
the products which are formed enter the enamel and dentin and
bleach
the colored substances present in the teeth. The structure
of the teeth is unchanged; only the color is made whiter. The
consultation
with your dentist is important for the procedure’s safety and
effectiveness.
Professional
In-Office Whitening Procedure
The Professional In-Office Whitening Program uses a more
concentrated hydrogen peroxide gel formula than the take-home
kit. The whitening process is accelerated by a light source.
Because certain teeth may be darker than other teeth, this process
has the advantage that special attention can be given to those
teeth which need it. This process results in a whiter, healthier
looking smile after just one office visit.
The
most commonly observed side effects to carbamide peroxide or
hydrogen peroxide is tooth sensitivity during the first few
days and occasional irritation of the soft tissues, particularly
the gums. Both conditions are usually temporary and stop after
the treatment.
Consult
with our dentist to determine which treatment is right for
you. Contact our office to set up your professional whitening
appointment.
For
more information on whitening, click on one of the following
links:
From
our newsletter archive:
From
The American Dental Association:
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