Whitening & Bleaching
TRAY-BASED TOOTH WHITENING PRODUCTS (Opalescence) Tray-based tooth whitening systems ($125 each arch, D9975), purchased from your dentist, involve filling a mouth guard-like tray with a gel whitening solution that contains a peroxide bleaching agent. You will wear the tray for a period of time, generally from a couple hours a day to all night for up to four weeks or even longer (depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening).
IN-OFFICE WHITENING (Zoom) ($399 at Pinellas Park and St. Petersburg locations. D9972) In-office bleaching provides the quickest and most effective way to whiten teeth. With in-office bleaching, the whitening product is applied directly to the teeth. These products can be used in combination with a special light. The light accelerates the whitening process. Results are seen in only one, 60-minute treatment. But, to achieve dramatic results, several appointments are usually needed.
How Long Do the Whitening Effects Last?
Whitening is not permanent. People who expose their teeth to foods and beverages that cause staining may see the whiteness start to fade in as little as one month. Those who avoid foods and beverages that stain may be able to wait one year or longer before another whitening treatment or touch-up is needed.
The degree of whiteness will vary from individual to individual depending on the condition of the teeth, nature of the stain, type of bleaching system used and how long the system was used.
