Who doesn’t want a whiter smile? Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments at the DentalSpa in Indianapolis, IN. Dr. Amy Marckese offers multiple options for teeth whitening, including Opalescence Boost and customized Opalescence take-home teeth whitening kits.
In cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening may be the quickest, easiest, and most affordable way to transform your smile. Our whitening options are safe and effective, designed to minimize tooth and gum sensitivity and yield the best results.
About Professional Teeth Whitening in Indianapolis, IN
Professional teeth whitening is an easy and affordable way to transform your smile. Over the years, your smile will begin to dull and stain. Discoloration or yellow teeth may make you too embarrassed to smile. Our dentist’s office offers several treatments that use a high concentration of bleaching agents that offer fast and effective results. You can buy many store-bought or over-the-counter products; however, results can be unpredictable, unsafe, and not guaranteed.
Having your teeth whitening done by a dentist offers professional supervision to ensure the products you are using are safe. This will reduce the likelihood of uneven results or unwanted side effects. Your dentist will also address any underlying dental problems to ensure optimal oral health. Furthermore, your teeth whitening treatment will be customized to treat your needs.
At DentalSpa, Dr. Amy Marckese offers Opalescence teeth whitening.
The Benefits of Opalescence
Opalescence is a revolutionary brand that offers professional teeth whitening products. The Opalescence take-home teeth whitening kit is a convenient and affordable way to whiten your teeth. You can achieve in-office results from the comforts of your own home. The kit includes the innovative whitening gel, custom-fit teeth whitening tray, tray case, and shade guide.
Opalescence bleaching gel is made with potassium nitrate and fluoride, which helps remove tough stains and discoloration from teeth. With the custom-fit tray, the whitening gel is evenly administered on teeth without harming gums or tooth enamel. Most patients will need to wear the trays for a few hours per day, depending on the concentration of the gel. You will begin to see results within a few weeks of consistent use.
Opalescence is specially formulated with PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride) that helps to:
- Prevent dehydration
- Reduce tooth sensitivity
- Improve shade retention
Professional Vs. Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening
When you go to the drugstore, you will find many products that claim to give you a bright, white smile. However, over-the-counter whitening solutions don’t work as well as professional ones.
First, dentists are the only ones with access to the strongest whitening products. Drugstore whitening products require multiple applications to get decent results, and they’re often not that drastic. If you choose in-office professional whitening, you can brighten your smile by multiple shades at our office in about an hour. Take-home professional whitening is more gradual but still stronger than over-the-counter whitening.
Not only are professional products stronger, but they’re also safer. They protect sensitivity, which is a danger with teeth whitening. If you whiten too often, you have an increased chance of sensitivity. Since drugstore products aren’t as strong, you must use them more frequently. You also don’t have a professional monitoring the use of them.
Over-the-counter products are designed to be broadly used. They’re one-size-fits-all and try to cover the largest population. This usually means that they don’t fit the way they should. The bleaching agent can come into contact with soft tissue, causing burns, or you can have splotchy, uneven whitening results.
When you get in-office whitening, we carefully paint the whitening gel onto the teeth, ensuring even coverage. Before we do this, we ensure your soft tissues are guarded from the bleaching agent. Our take-home whitening solutions are whitening trays made of impressions of your smile. They provide even coverage and seal out saliva from interfering with the treatment.
While they seem cheaper upfront, you must purchase more over-the-counter whitening products to get your desired results. Even with this, you still may not get the results you’re looking for. Professional whitening results last longer, so you don’t have to pay for as many treatments.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Professional teeth whitening is an easy and convenient way to brighten your smile. Read through the frequently asked questions to learn more about the treatments. If you have further questions or concerns, contact us today.
How do teeth stain or become discolored?
Teeth can get darker or stain for many reasons. The most common causes of tooth staining is the foods and drinks we consume. Things like coffee, tea, red wine, and certain fruits and sauces can leave behind pigments that stain the enamel. Smoking and tobacco use also contribute to tooth discoloration. Also, as we age, our teeth naturally tend to darken. Proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits can help prevent and manage tooth discoloration.
How does professional teeth whitening compare to over-the-counter options?
There are many over-the-counter options for dental whitening, including whitening toothpaste, whitening strips, and gels. However, professional treatment is still the best choice for patients who want the best results. DentalSpa offers teeth whitening systems with custom-fit trays to ensure even teeth whitening.
In addition, our products are specially formulated to reduce tooth sensitivity, a common side effect of whitening.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
Teeth whitening is one of the most affordable cosmetic dentistry treatments available. The cost of your whitening treatment will depend on the type of whitening you choose and your desired outcome.
In-office whitening costs an average of $500 per treatment, and at-home whitening can range between $250 and $500, depending on the system you choose. Refills for touch-up treatment may cost more. Contact our office for more specific details.
Will teeth whitening cause my teeth to be more sensitive?
Tooth sensitivity is one of the more common side effects of teeth whitening treatments. However, with Dr. Marckese’s careful supervision and the use of specially formulated products, we aim to minimize this discomfort as much as possible.
The whitening products we use are designed to be gentle on the teeth and gums, reducing the chances of sensitivity. However, if you already have sensitive teeth, you may want to consider other whitening methods.
How long does whitening last?
The results of teeth whitening will vary based on each individual. Most patients can expect whitening to last six months to a year. A touch-up treatment every four to six months can help extend the treatment results. Visiting the dentist regularly and avoiding smoking and dark foods will also help to keep your teeth white and bright.
What to avoid when doing teeth whitening?
When undergoing teeth whitening treatment, you must be mindful of what you eat and drink to maintain the results. During and after the whitening process, we advise avoiding certain foods and beverages that can easily stain teeth or cause sensitivity.
Some of the common culprits include wine, coffee, tea, and soda, as they can leave behind stubborn stains. Also, certain foods like chocolate, candy, and some types of fish and chicken can stain your teeth. Even some healthy options like bread, pasta, and cheese can cause sensitivity due to their acidic nature. Choosing lighter-colored and less acidic foods and drinks is ideal.
How long after teeth whitening can I see results?
This depends on the type of professional whitening you choose. Most patients immediately see a difference in the color of their teeth with our in-office treatments. This whitening treatment can deliver instant results in about an hour.
Our take-home treatment will take longer to see results. As you continue through the whitening process from the comforts of your home, you will gradually notice a brighter smile. With consistent use and following the directions, you will get the full results in a few weeks.
Book Your Appointment For Teeth Whitening in Indianapolis, In
Contact our Indianapolis dentist today to learn more about our teeth whitening services and to schedule your consultation with Dr. Amy Marckese. Call 866-486-0230 or schedule an appointment online today.