Center One Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry
Teeth Whitening – Canonsburg, PA
Restores That Youthful Glow
Whatever you may have thought, you don't need to live with a stained and discolored smile. You can always get teeth whitening here in Canonsburg to brighten your grin! With this treatment, Dr. Raj and the rest of our team can help your pearly whites live up to their nickname. You'd then get to sport a stain-free smile that impresses your friends and family. If you'd like to learn more, keep reading or book your consultation today.
Why Choose Center One Dental for Teeth Whitening?
- Multiple Whitening Options Available
- Advanced Dental Technology
- A Clean & Safe Dental Office
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
It honestly doesn’t take much to qualify for modern teeth whitening. So long as you have decent oral health, most teens and adults can receive the treatment. That said, teeth whitening does tend to benefit some patients more than others.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
We’ll outline several types of teeth whitening at your consultation visit. The first is a take-home kit, which would brighten your smile on a flexible schedule. Option two is an in-office treatment supervised by Dr. Raj himself. Lastly, the third choice is a whitening procedure for traumatized teeth.
In the end, the whitening method you choose will impact your treatment timeline. Just know that each one promises comparable results.
Take-Home KöR Teeth Whitening
If you prefer a gradual approach, consider our KöR take-home teeth whitening kit. This treatment lets you brighten your smile from the comfort of your home, all on your own time. You’d just need to wear gel-infused bleaching trays for a few hours each day over two weeks. Once that time is up, you’ll see your smile looks about six to eight shades lighter than before.
Notably, our take-home kits are distinct from store-bought kinds. They’re much more effective and don’t cause unwanted side effects.
In-Office Zoom!® Professional Teeth Whitening
Patients who want fast results should try our in-office Zoom! ® whitening treatment. Unlike the KöR take-home kit, this procedure is handled by Dr. Raj himself at our practice. It works by using a hydrogen peroxide gel that greatly lightens your smile’s dentin and enamel layers. When the gel is exposed to a mercury halide light, it makes your grin much whiter and brighter than before.
Overall, Zoom!® professional teeth whitening takes about an hour. You can learn whether it suits you at your consultation visit.
Whitening for Traumatized Teeth
Teeth are sometimes discolored from pulp damage and prior root canals. In such cases, we perform internal bleaching to whiten the affected tooth.
Internal bleaching applies whitening gel inside your traumatized tooth. It starts with Dr. Raj reaching the tooth’s innards by making a small hole in its back. When that’s done, he removes debris, rinses the interior, and adds a cement that keeps whitening gel from leaking into your tooth roots. Only after those steps will he place the bleaching solution and seal your tooth’s pulp chamber. (Until the desired shade is achieved, Dr. Raj can repeat this procedure every few days.)
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
To help your teeth whitening results last a while, perform the following steps:
- Look After Your Smile – By brushing your teeth twice daily and flossing once daily, you’ll prevent plaque from causing stains.
- Avoid Stain Agents – As best you can, limit your intake of foods and drinks with stain agents. Notable examples include berries, coffee, red wine, tomato sauce, etc.
- Eat More Dairy – If you eat white dairy products, you’ll strengthen your enamel and avoid dyes that stain teeth.
- Get Treatment Touch-ups – Before your whitening results fade, see your dentist for touch-ups.
Teeth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions
How long do the results from teeth whitening last?
While most patients enjoy their freshly brightened smiles for multiple years following professional whitening, the truth is that the lifespan of your new shade depends on how you take care of your teeth afterward. Daily brushing and flossing, keeping up with routine checkups with your cosmetic dentist in Canonsburg, and reducing your intake of staining foods and drinks can all add to the longevity of your result. Together, these practices (along with occasional touch-ups) prevent the gradual buildup of minor discoloration.
Is professional teeth whitening more cost-effective than store-bought kits?
When you compare the quality of the results they deliver, yes! In most cases, you would need to purchase four, maybe FIVE sets of whitening strips or generic whitening kits to get the same change a single professional treatment can deliver. Not only do store-bought methods require more steps, but they are also not customized to your mouth like our treatments, which can lead to the bleaching gel getting on your gums—this doesn’t feel great!
By spending a little more on professional teeth whitening in Canonsburg, you can ultimately pay less overall while enjoying a more convenient experience and better outcome.
Can you whiten my dental crowns or veneers?
Teeth whitening only works on natural enamel, so if you have a veneer or crown that is discolored, the ceramic or metal won’t respond to bleaching. We may recommend updating your restoration after whitening your natural teeth so you get a cohesive color. If you do need a new restoration, ours are made using natural-looking materials that are also stain-resistant. Similar to your real teeth, daily oral hygiene and receiving semi-annual professional cleanings can go a long way in preventing this issue from popping up down the road.
When can I drink coffee after teeth whitening?
We recommend avoiding coffee for 24 to 48 hours following professional teeth whitening as your enamel will be more prone to staining within this window. Even drinking coffee with a straw risks getting the liquid on your enamel and compromising your results. If you can abstain from your daily cup (or three) of your favorite brew for just a little bit, it will ensure your refreshed smile stays pristine. It’s a small sacrifice in order to enjoy multiple years of beautifully white teeth!