Your smile is your calling card. A bright, beautiful smile not only creates a great first impression but improves your confidence. Learn how you can easily obtain the smile of your dreams!

Your smile is one of your greatest assets, and the first thing people notice. It’s no wonder that whiter teeth have become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients. Fortunately, tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to brighten natural tooth enamel and is an easy way to enhance the beauty of your smile.

Today there are several options you can choose to whiten your teeth. Remember, though, that tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel so it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc.  At Provo Cosmetic Dentist Office we replace these restorations only after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth.

It is also important to remember that any bleaching or tooth whitening treatment is not permanent. Depending on your individual habits of consuming stain-producing products like tobacco, coffee, tea or wine, A touch-up maybe needed at least every several years.

Reasons for tooth whitening:

• Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)
• Normal wear of outer tooth laye
• Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.)
• Yellow, brown stained teeth

What does custom tooth whitening involve?
By far the most effective and longest lasting results are obtained with custom tooth whitening done by your dentist. Custom tooth whitening normally requires two visits to Provo Cosmetic Dentistry. During the first appointment, impressions (molds) will be made of your teeth and used to create custom, clear plastic trays.

At your second appointment, the trays will be adjusted as needed to ensure a proper fit. Another advantage to custom tooth whitening is that your dental professional will ensure that the trays fit properly and are not exposing sensitive gum tissue to the bleaching agent.

You will take home the trays and wear with the special whitening solution provided by your dentist. Your dentist will recommend the length of time and frequency that the trays should be worn, depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening.  Increased tooth sensitivity is a normal side effect experienced during the whitening process, but will subside shortly after you have stopped bleaching.  

If you’ve shopped for over-the-counter tooth whitening products lately, you were probably overwhelmed by the number of products available that claim to whiten your teeth. But how effective are they in reality? Let’s take a look at some of the more popular products on the market today and see how they stack up.

Whitening Strips

Whitening strips purchased at your local pharmacy have drawbacks. They do contain a peroxide-based whitening agent, but it is not nearly as potent as those safely used in our Provo Cosmetic Dentist Office. Also, whitening strips only touch the front surface of your teeth, missing the spaces between your teeth. Though it is possible to remove stains over time with whitening strips it may take months to see any significant results.

Whitening Rinses

Whitening Rinses are similar to mouthwashes. They kill bacteria, refresh your breath and may help remove plaque. Unlike mouthwashes, whitening rinses contain hydrogen peroxide. Manufactures advise you to rinse your mouth twice a day for one minute each and state that it may take 12 weeks to see results. Most consumers report no difference after using, probably because the rinse barely touches your teeth for two minutes a day.

Whitening Gels

Whitening gels are clear, peroxide-based gels applied directly to the surface of your teeth. Instructions generally call for twice a day application for 14 days. Initial results are seen in a few days and final results are sustained for about four months. However, application can be difficult since teeth are required to be completely free of saliva before use.

Whether you choose a home whitening treatment option or an in-office whitening procedure such as the Sapphire Whitening System, you should consult with your dentist first. Our Provo, UT Cosmetic Dentist can examine your teeth and determine if there are any underlying issues with your teeth or gums that would cause problems as a result of using over-the-counter whitening agents.

There are many reasons for teeth to become dull and discolored. Age, stain-producing food, drink and tobacco are just a few of the causes that can lead to a less-than-dazzling smile. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry provides many options for whitening your teeth and to bring back your radiant smile.

At Provo, UT Dentist Office we use the Sapphire Teeth Whitening System. This is a bleaching process that is very effective in lightening discolored tooth enamel. One of the benefits of this system is that this is one of the few companies that have incorporated a desensitizing agent into their whitener's formulation. This feature helps minimize the patient's potential for post-bleaching sensitivity.

The Sapphire Whitening Process
Treatment begins by protecting the lips and gums, leaving only the teeth exposed. A hydrogen peroxide-based gel is then applied. The Sapphire procedure uses a light bleaching unit that has been designed to filter out infrared emissions. This feature helps to insure that the teeth being treated don't become over-heated, which is important for your comfort.

The whitener is usually applied to the teeth in two 30-minute applications. Upper and lower teeth are treated at the same time, and the total time including pre- and post-treatment is somewhere around 90 minutes.

At-Home Follow Up
You will be given a Sapphire touch-up kit to take home along with instructions on how the kit should be used. We also advise you to use certain stain-producing foods and beverages in moderation to maintain the whitening effects of the Sapphire treatment.

Is Sapphire Whitening Right for You?
Before deciding whether Sapphire In-Office teeth whitening is right for you, your Provo Cosmetic Dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination of your teeth and gums to ensure your overall oral health and discuss your at-home oral hygiene and lifestyle. This will help you and your dentist agree on the whitening product or technique that's best for you.