Teeth Whitening

While an overwhelming selection of over-the-counter teeth whitening products is readily available for purchase at stores or online, it's imperative to keep in mind that the healthiest and most effective methods of care are those professionally supervised by your dentist. With a teeth whitening procedure provided by our office, we can safely, comfortably, and effectively transform your smile by up to several shades in a short amount of time.

Teeth whitening offers a simple and non-invasive way to whiten and brighten your smile. Whitening products contain various strengths of biologically safe hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide that act as bleaching agents on stained or discolored dental enamel. By breaking the stains into smaller pieces, these bleaching agents make the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter.

Every patient is different, and despite the fact that many people experience no sensitivity or pain with a professional teeth whitening, there are some that do. Although considered a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, some temporary discomfort during and following the procedure may ensue. It helps to stick to room temperature beverages for a few days following a teeth whitening. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication as you would for a headache. If you have a history of sensitive teeth, we may select a gentler formulation of whitening products or an alternative procedure.

It's essential to keep in mind that every patient has unique needs and specific requirements of care. In general, individuals with yellow tones to their teeth respond best to teeth whitening. Brown and grayish tinted teeth respond less well to bleach and may require significantly longer dentist-supervised tooth whitening regimens or alternative cosmetic treatments. Finally, teeth whitening may not be recommended in the presence of sensitive teeth, worn enamel, and significant gum disease.

For darkly stained teeth, a whitening procedure may not provide the cosmetic results desired. In these cases, we'll talk about alternative options such as porcelain veneers or full-coverage crowns.

Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth. The fact that whiteners do not affect the color of existing dental fillings, veneers, bonding, crowns, or bridges on the front teeth remains an important consideration when choosing the best cosmetic option in care.

As a rule, the healthiest and most effective methods of teeth whitening are the ones managed and supervised by your dentist. You can count on our office to provide the most effective, safest, and satisfying professional-strength options to whiten, brighten, and lighten your smile! Stay away from over-the-counter products, which may be overly abrasive or put the health of your teeth and the surrounding soft tissues at risk. While these products may work when healthy teeth and gums are present, they're often ineffective or problematic when sensitive teeth, exposed roots, cavities, broken fillings, cracked teeth, or loose dental work are the case.

How long your teeth whitening lasts depends on your lifestyle. Your eating, drinking, and smoking habits can have a significant impact on maintaining your result. Of course, the best way to ensure that your smile stays healthy and beautiful is a good daily oral healthcare regimen, along with regular dental checkups and cleanings.

It's essential to keep in mind that as a cosmetic dental procedure, a teeth whitening may not be covered by your insurance plan. We understand the financial considerations involved in care and do our best to help you get the treatment you need without any additional stress or delay. We offer several payment options and financing plans to make things easier.

At the office of Morrison Dental Care, we want every patient to enjoy the benefits of a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy. In addition to offering a comprehensive range of advanced services to keep your smile in tip-top health, we also provide leading-edge cosmetic solutions to transform less-than-perfect-looking teeth into ones that dazzle.

Tooth staining falls into two broad categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains affect the outer enamel and are commonly caused by foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco use. Intrinsic discoloration originates within the tooth and can result from aging, certain medications, trauma, or developmental factors.

Enamel naturally thins with age, making the darker dentin underneath more visible and giving teeth a yellowed appearance. Some dental conditions and past dental work can also affect perceived color, so a professional exam helps determine the type of discoloration. Understanding the cause is the first step to choosing the most effective whitening or cosmetic option.

Whitening options range from over-the-counter toothpastes and strips to professionally supervised treatments delivered in the dental office or via custom take-home trays. Over-the-counter products typically contain lower concentrations of peroxide and work slowly, while professional systems use higher concentrations and are administered with protocols that prioritize safety and predictable results. In-office treatments often deliver the fastest and most dramatic short-term results, whereas take-home kits provide gradual whitening with the convenience of doing treatment at home.

The choice between an in-office procedure and a take-home system depends on your cosmetic goals, sensitivity concerns, and lifestyle. A dentist can recommend a tailored approach based on the shade you want to achieve and the nature of your staining. Morrison Dental Care offers both professionally supervised in-office and customized take-home whitening options to suit different needs and schedules.

Professional whitening is generally more effective because it uses higher concentrations of peroxide that are applied under clinical supervision. This allows the clinician to control application, protect soft tissues, and adjust the protocol to minimize sensitivity while maximizing shade improvement. As a result, professional treatments typically produce faster, more noticeable, and longer-lasting changes than most store-bought alternatives.

Over-the-counter options can be helpful for mild surface stains or for maintenance after professional treatment, but they often require prolonged use and may not reach deeper intrinsic stains. A dental evaluation will clarify whether a professional-strength system is the best choice for your goals and oral health status.

Candidates for whitening are typically adults with healthy teeth and gums whose discoloration is on natural tooth structure rather than restorations. People with active decay, untreated gum disease, cracked teeth, or extensive restorations should address those issues before whitening to avoid complications and to ensure safe, predictable results. A clinical exam and dental cleaning provide the appropriate starting point for assessing candidacy.

Certain types of intrinsic staining may respond less well to peroxide-based whitening and could require alternative cosmetic treatments, such as veneers or bonding. Women who are pregnant are usually advised to postpone elective whitening until after pregnancy, and patients should always discuss medical concerns with their dentist before beginning treatment.

An in-office whitening visit begins with an exam and a dental cleaning if needed to remove surface deposits that can inhibit whitening. The dentist or hygienist will protect the gums and soft tissues, then apply a professional-strength bleaching agent, which may be activated by light or heat depending on the system used. The procedure is performed in controlled intervals, and results are reviewed throughout the appointment to ensure comfort and effectiveness.

Most patients notice a visible improvement after a single session, though the amount of whitening varies by initial tooth shade and type of discoloration. Sensitivity is a common short-term effect and is managed with desensitizing agents or altered application times. Your dental team will provide specific aftercare guidelines to help protect and prolong the result.

A customized take-home kit includes trays made from impressions of your teeth and a dentist-prescribed whitening gel with a controlled concentration of peroxide. The trays fit precisely to minimize gel contact with the gums and to ensure even distribution across tooth surfaces, which improves safety and results compared with generic over-the-counter trays. Patients typically wear the trays for a specified number of hours daily or overnight for a prescribed period until the desired shade is reached.

Take-home systems offer convenience and gradual whitening that is easier to tolerate for people prone to sensitivity. Your dentist will instruct you on proper tray use, storage of the gel, and how to monitor results. Periodic follow-up allows adjustments to the regimen and recommendations for touch-ups as needed.

The most common side effects are transient tooth sensitivity and mild gum irritation, both of which usually resolve within days after treatment. Sensitivity occurs when whitening agents penetrate the enamel and temporarily affect the nerve endings in the dentin; it can be reduced by using lower-concentration gels, shortening wear time, or applying desensitizing products. Properly fitting trays and careful application in the dental office help minimize soft tissue irritation.

Rarely, excessive or inappropriate use of whitening products can damage enamel or restorations, so professional guidance is important to protect oral health. A pre-treatment exam identifies conditions that should be treated or monitored first, and the dental team will tailor the whitening plan to reduce risk while achieving desired outcomes.

The longevity of whitening varies widely and depends on factors such as diet, tobacco use, oral hygiene, and the natural aging process. Many patients enjoy noticeably whiter teeth for several months to a few years, but gradual re-staining is common, especially with frequent consumption of staining foods and beverages. Maintaining good oral hygiene, including regular brushing and professional cleanings, slows the return of discoloration.

Touch-up treatments using a dentist-recommended take-home kit or occasional in-office refreshers can extend results and are often simpler than repeating a full whitening course. Avoiding or limiting staining substances and using a straw for dark beverages can also help preserve your shade for longer.

Teeth whitening only affects natural tooth enamel and dentin, so dental restorations such as crowns, veneers, bridges, and composite fillings will not lighten with bleaching agents. This can lead to a mismatch in color if restorations are present and whitening is performed on adjacent natural teeth. For that reason, dentists evaluate existing restorations and may recommend timing whitening before replacing or adjusting restorations for the most harmonious aesthetic result.

If a restoration’s color becomes a cosmetic concern after whitening, the dentist can discuss options such as replacing or resurfacing the restoration to match the new shade of your natural teeth. Planning and communication with your dental team ensure a cohesive approach to any cosmetic treatment plan.

Preparation typically involves a dental exam and professional cleaning to address decay, gum inflammation, or other issues that could affect treatment safety and outcomes. The dentist will review your oral health history and discuss realistic expectations for shade improvement based on the type of staining and your dental anatomy. If a take-home system is planned, impressions will be taken to fabricate custom trays that fit comfortably and seal properly.

After whitening, avoid deeply colored foods and beverages for at least 48 hours and follow any desensitizing or oral care recommendations provided by the dental team. Maintaining routine dental visits and a home care regimen will help preserve results, and the office can advise on a refresh schedule tailored to your habits and desired brightness. If you have questions after treatment, contact the office of Morrison Dental Care and a member of our team will guide you through appropriate next steps.