Product Highlight: Opalescence

Your smile is the first thing that most people will notice about you. One of the easiest ways to improve your smile is to whiten your teeth. There are many different methods for whitening and many different products available. In our practice, we offer a range of options for whitening, including custom tray whitening. Custom tray whitening is one of the least expensive and most effective ways to brighten your smile. Once your dentist has fabricated thin, comfortable trays that fit your teeth, you can begin using a whitening gel. Opalescence is a line of whitening products that has been proven effective in safely whitening teeth, as well as aiding in the prevention of cavities and improving the overall health of your enamel. Opalescence is available in 3 different strengths, which allows you and your dentist to choose the concentration that is right for you considering what length of time you wish to spend on whitening, and whether or not you have tooth sensitivity.

Some FAQ’s about Whitening:

• Will whitening cause my teeth to be sensitive?  – Tooth sensitivity is a relatively common side effect of bleaching. If sensitivity occurs, it will disappear after the completion of bleaching. Unlike over-the-counter products, most professional bleaching products contain desensitizing agents for additional comfort.
• Will whitening weaken my teeth? – Findings presented at the American Association of Dental Research confirm that whitening with Opalescence will provide anti-cavity benefits, increase enamel microhardness, and improve overall enamel health. So the answer is no!
• How does whitening work? – The main ingredient in whitening gel, carbamide peroxide, is able to freely pass through enamel and dentin, where it breaks down into oxygen radicals, which migrate between the enamel prisms, breaking down any colored molecules that result in tooth discoloration. The structure of the tooth is not altered; the internal tooth color is simply made lighter.
• Custom tray whitening is a great option for teeth whitening because the trays will last for many years, and you can purchase refill kits of whitening gel from your dentist, so the cost over time is minimal.
• Can I over-whiten my teeth? – Contrary to what you may have seen on a popular episode of Friends, where Ross’s teeth glow in the dark, it isn’t likely that you could make your teeth too white.