How Light Will My Teeth Get After a Whitening Treatment?
By Kim Alexander | Published on January 30, 2012 | 0 Comments
The specific shade of white that a patient can expect his or her teeth to become after undergoing teeth whitening in Greenwood, IN, will depend on a number of factors, including the original shade of the teeth, genetics, and the strength of the treatment, explains Dr. Kim Alexander of Alexander Dentistry.
Dr. Alexander goes on to explain that there can be a range in the whiteness that patients’ teeth will become after using teeth whitening products, however in-office treatments offered at professional dentistry offices are always going to produce the best results. People who use over-the-counter whitening products may see a lightening in the shade of their teeth, but that lightening effect will not be nearly as dramatic as it would have been had they gone with a professional in-office treatment instead.
When people do in-office teeth whitening in Greenwood, IN, they really notice a difference in the shade right away. Some patients report that their teeth look up to eight shades lighter after a single session. A person who starts with teeth that are very light to begin with may end up with teeth that are so light they are off the shade guide. A person who starts out with darker teeth, meanwhile, may end up with a smile that is six to 10 shades lighter after a single session. At the very least, people who undergo professional in-office teeth whitening treatments can expect to see their smiles brightened up at least four or five shades after the first session.
Dr. Alexander cautions, however, that results are variable and largely dependent on how light or dark a patient’s teeth were to begin with. Teeth whitening in Greenwood, IN, is like tanning, in that two people can sit in the sun for the same length of time and one person may end up with noticeably darker skin as a result. Some people tan more easily than others, and some people’s teeth lighten more easily than others. These differences are based simply on uncontrollable genetic factors.
One of the great things about teeth whitening in Greenwood, IN, is that people don’t necessarily need to return to their dentist at regular intervals to keep their smiles looking great. Dr. Alexander recommends that patients maintain their lightened smiles by using a special tray and gel, which her office provides, at least once a month. This process can be done at home, and it costs very little – usually around $20 for several months worth of whitening product, according to Dr. Alexander.
Greenwood, IN 46142
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.