Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening in Tecumseh, MI

A Brighter, More Beautiful Smile

Dr. Hourani with patient at Tecumseh Family Dental Care

Smile Bright with Teeth Whitening

Over time, and depending on the foods or drinks you consume, your teeth may lose their original luster and leave you self-conscience about your smile. If you have stained, discolored or dull teeth, tooth whitening can restore your beautiful smile and provide you with the confidence you need not to hide your teeth.

The enamel of your teeth is lost over time, either due to aging or accelerated by caffeine and tobacco use. As it wears away, darker tissue in your teeth known as dentin becomes visible – leading to an appearance you may find unappealing.

Similarly, foods with tannins like coffee, wine or tea can stain teeth, causing permanent discoloration no matter how much you brush or rinse with mouthwash.

Tooth whitening can be accomplished in several different ways, but in-office whitening with the supervision of a dental professional is the safest and most effective way to get the appearance you want without complications!

Procedure

Like many procedures, the first step before teeth whitening is an exam to ensure you’re a healthy candidate for whitening. While in-office whitening is safe, the substances used can leave teeth hypersensitive. Additionally, some teeth won’t be capable of being restored with teeth whitening solutions, so we want to make sure it’s going to provide the results you want before we get started!

Preparing your teeth for the procedure includes a full cleaning to remove debris, plaque and other substances from your teeth. We may use photos and/or a shade guide to better explain and plan the outcome of your whitening procedure.

A bleaching gel is applied to your teeth, where it’s held for up to 30 minutes. After this period, the gel is removed and replaced with another treatment, for up to 30 minutes again. We may perform another examination and determine the second treatment is unnecessary, depending on the effectiveness of the first round of whitening.

Once the whitening is complete, the solution is fully rinsed from your mouth and you’ll be able to see your new, whiter smile!

FAQ

Why Are My Teeth Darkening After the Procedure?

The bleaching solution can cause your teeth to become dehydrated, which will leave them a few shades whiter than the appearance they will settle into. It’s common to experience a small change in the shade of your teeth a few days after the procedure.
How Long Does an In-Office Teeth Whitening Last?

Generally speaking, in-office teeth whitening will provide you with a brighter smile for up to around five years. After this time, you may consider another round of teeth whitening. Keeping up with your dental care routine and regular dental visits can help keep your teeth looking their best for longer, so make sure to establish a consistent preventative care routine!
Are Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening Products Effective?

Commercially available whitening toothpastes, rinses or home whitening trays can have mixed results depending on the quality of the product and whether they’re used correctly. Misuse of these products or overuse can lead to dental issues ranging from hypersensitivity to or heavy wear on your tooth enamel. For this reason, we always recommend in-office whitening to keep your teeth healthy and safe!