What to Expect When Whitening Teeth

By Ridgewood Dental Associates | Published on October 20, 2011 | 0 Comments

Most people would agree that they could use a whiter smile to boost confidence and improve their smile’s appearance. Some patients might feel confused or concerned about sensitivity, price, or the maintenance involved with the procedure. Dr. Mark Samani and Dr. Jin Ha Joung of Ridgewood Dental Associates in New Jersey say that teeth whitening treatments can be customized to accommodate just about any patient.

For teeth whitening patients in Ridgewood, the dentists explain that a patient can opt for a quick in-office whitening treatment that will yield results immediately, or they can consider the less intense at-home trays where strength and length of treatment can be very controlled.  For patients that know they experience sensitivity, the trays may be a more sensible option because they can be quickly removed if pain occurs. This is addressed primarily with the percentage or strength of the whitening gel. With percentages ranging from 10 to 35 percent, a person can experiment until they find the most appropriate level. In contrast, patients who are in need of the quickest option, an in-office treatment can provide results that can equal 4 to 5 times faster than an at-home treatment.

Dr. Samani says that results can vary depending on a person’s natural tooth color beforehand. He says the shades of yellow, brown and orange tend to whiten the best, while some teeth are closer to a grey tone, which can be tougher to alter. He does still have options for these patients but it could take longer to treat.

For anyone considering teeth whitening in Ridgewood, Dr. Samani says it will be easy to maintain results without changing your behavior to a drastic point. Some dentists will recommend drinking coffee through a straw, no red wine, avoid marinara sauce etc. But this seems a tad extreme, and the Ridgewood, NJ dentists instead say to invest in custom at-home trays for touch ups as needed. This way no major life changes need to be made, and you can still enjoy a bright white smile all year long.

The advantage to either treatment offered in a dental office is that you will receive quicker, longer-lasting results than with whitening strips purchased over the counter. These strips tend to be cheaper but ultimately cannot deliver near the results of a professional practice. This in addition to the expertise and advice available from your dentist makes their process very tailored to your needs.

For more information about teeth whitening in Ridgewood, NJ, contact Ridgewood Dental Associates for a personal consultation.

*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.

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