Teeth Whitening For A Brighter Smile
At Kucey Dental Group, serving patients from Sherwood Park and beyond, we believe that having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our in-office or at-home “bleaching” procedure. Learn more below, or contact us today to schedule an appointment.
What Are the Details of Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening can be a safe, quick, and affordable to correct tooth discoloration caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be needed. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to whiten your teeth. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.
How is Teeth Whitening Done?
We can deliver an in-office teeth whitening system, or we can create custom fitting appliances to use at home with a special bleaching agent to be worn a few hours per day. The change in color does not affect tooth structure or existing dental work. Even when you reach the desired brightness, occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new appearance.
Key Benefits of Teeth Whitening
The benefits of teeth whitening include:
• Corrects brown, yellow, and spotted tooth staining
• Works on people of any age
• Restores brightness and brings a smile alive
An impression is taken to make a specialized “mouth guard” or “stent” to hold the bleach against the teeth. The material is used each night for about 1-2 hours for a few weeks. At the end of this time, significant whitening will occur. In some cases, the change is nothing short of brilliant. Bleaching technology can provide improvements in yellowing, aging or stained teeth. For very severely stained teeth, crowns or porcelain veneers may be more appropriate.
Considerations for Teeth Whitening
Over-the-counter bleaching agents are available for purchase at drug stores and pharmacies. However, since these products can cause harm to the gums and teeth, it’s better to use our professional products that our practice recommends.
ZOOM! Whitening
If you prefer teeth that are immediately whiter right now or you would rather whiten your teeth while you sleep, the Kucey Dental Group, serving patients in Leduc and beyond, has your answer with ZOOM! It’s ideal for anyone who wants immediate results.
Contact us today for an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About ZOOM! Whitening
Many of our patients are interested to learn more about ZOOM! products and how they work, so we’ve complied some of the most popular questions and their answers on this page. Read on to learn more about how ZOOM! can help brighten your smile.
Q: What is ZOOM! tooth whitening?
A: ZOOM! is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin.
Q: What can cause tooth discoloration?
A: There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea or tobacco. During tooth formation consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.
Q: Who may benefit from tooth whitening?
A: Just about anyone can benefit from tooth whitening. However, treatment may not be as effective for some as it is for others. With an oral exam, Dr. Kucey, Registered Prosthodontist, can determine if you are a candidate for this procedure, including a shade assessment.
Q: Is tooth whitening becoming more popular?
A: Absolutely! A bright, beautiful smile can make a big difference.
Q: Is tooth whitening safe?
A: Yes, whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. As with any tooth whitening product, ZOOM! is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women.
Q: Do the results last a long time?
A: We recommend flossing, brushing twice daily with ZOOM! Whitening Toothpaste, and touch-ups with ZOOM! take-home gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. They are available through our office.
Q: Is there any difference between over-the-counter tooth whiteners and ZOOM!?
A: Yes! Consulting Dr. Kucey, Registered Prosthodontist, is always the first step to whitening your teeth safely. Over-the-counter tooth whitening strips, brush-on gels and toothpastes take weeks or months to whiten your teeth just a few shades. ZOOM! is clinically proven to whiten your teeth eight shades in one hour or six shades in just one weekend.
Q: How does the ZOOM! In-Office System work?
A: The ZOOM! light-activated whitening gel’s active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide. As hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching any colored substance while keeping the structure of the tooth unchanged. The ZOOM! light aids in activating the hydrogen peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth.
Q: Is the ZOOM! in-office procedure painful?
A: No. During the procedure, patients can actually watch television or listen to music. Many fall asleep.
Q: Are there any side effects?
A: Some people experience temporary increased tooth sensitivity to cold during treatment. These symptoms disappear within one to three days after interruption or completion of the treatment.
Q: How long is the procedure?
A: The entire procedure takes just over one hour. The procedure begins with a preparation period followed by one hour of bleaching. A five-minute fluoride treatment completes the procedure (we recommend a cleaning prior to the actual Zoom! whitening session).
Q: How long does ZOOM! Take-Home Whitening take?
A: The ZOOM! take-home gel is designed to be worn between four and eight hours per application. Dr. Kucey, Registered Prosthodontist, will advise you on how long you should wear each application. Dr. Kucey, Registered Prosthodontist, will help you determine how many applications are right for you.
Q: How is the ZOOM! Take-Home System different from the ZOOM! In-Office System?
A: The main difference between the two systems is that you use the ZOOM! Take-Home System in the convenience of your own home over a few nights. The ZOOM! In-Office System is performed entirely in the office.