Tooth Whitening FAQ's
New York City
1. Can I expect whiter teeth in just one visit?
With our in-office bleaching procedures, one visit is all it takes to whiten your teeth up to 9 shades. Because your teeth may not be that stained or discolored to begin with, a few shades whiter may be all that is required. An office such as ours that performs a large number of teeth bleachings can give you a reliable prediction of results.
2. Why can’t I just use the over-the-counter whitening procedures?
Most over-the-counter whitening products do not change the natural color of the tooth. They work by removing the external staining found on your teeth, whereas dentist-administered bleaching removes intrinsic staining. Therefore, they do not provide as dramatic results as can be seen with in-office bleaching or home bleaching trays. Some over-the-counter whitening products are excellent. The majority provide lackluster results. We'll be happy to advise you on your selection.
3. What if some of my teeth are darker than the rest?
Can whitening even them out? Yes. You do not have to whiten all of your teeth during the procedure. We can bleach a few teeth, or just one, depending on your specific needs.
4. Can I just come in and have my teeth whitened?
No - an evaluation by a doctor will need to be conducted before any whitening takes place. The doctor needs to evaluate your gums, any decay you may have, the status of any teeth that have been traumatized, and if there are any external stains which need to be removed. Also, whitening procedures do not work on existing crowns and fillings, so they will need to be redone after your bleaching to match your new shade.
5. When is home bleaching a better alternative?
Some people already have a light shade to their teeth and therefore their teeth only require being whitened a few shades. Such conservative whitening can be carried out with home bleaching kits you receive from your dentist. It may take up to two weeks of nightly usage to achieve desired results, so there also must be a willingness to follow through with the procedure.
6. Will whitening alone make my smile more appealing?
This depends on the particular case. Some patients may only require whitening, or will be satisfied with the results that whitening alone gives them. Others would like additional cosmetic work to enhance their smile. Whitening works well with other advanced cosmetic dental techniques such as lasers and CEREC veneers and crowns.
As an additional resource, we have provided a page of Tips to Make Your Teeth Whitening Last, to ensure that your smile stays bright!
