A brighter smile can make you feel more confident in photos, conversations, and everyday life. At our Clarksville dental practice, professional Teeth Whitening Clarksville treatments help safely remove stubborn stains and restore a whiter, more youthful appearance to your smile.
Teeth whitening Clarksville treatments from Dr. Richard C. Ribeiro can brighten your smile by up to seven shades in just one visit to his Clarksville, TN, practice. He also offers take-home whitening kits that feature comfortable trays that remain in place for about 30 minutes at a time. Aside from your whiter smile, you can expect an increase in confidence and a greater urge to smile more often.
Dental stains come in two varieties: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic dental stains are found on the surfaces of teeth. The foods and drinks we consume on a regular basis generally cause these types of stains. Dark beverages like coffee, tea, and red wine are some of the most common culprits. Not only are these beverages dark, but because we sip them, they remain in contact with the teeth longer. This increases their staining potential. Tobacco use also causes extrinsic dental stains.
Intrinsic stains are internal stains. These may result from trauma to the tooth, too much fluoride as a child, or the use of tetracycline. Unfortunately, because these stains are on the inside of the tooth, teeth whitening is an ineffective treatment. Most patients with intrinsic stains are better suited to another cosmetic procedure, like porcelain veneers.
Take-home teeth whitening can achieve the same results as in-office whitening, but it takes a little longer. First, you will come in to our office to get you whitening trays and gel. At home, you will use a syringe to insert the gel into the trays. You will then fit the trays over your teeth.
You will leave the trays in place for about 15 to 30 minutes, although some take-home systems require overnight wear. After you remove the trays, you will brush and rinse your teeth. Most patients need to continue this routine for about two weeks to achieve their desired results.
Teeth whitening is a simple and effective way to get a more beautiful smile. In-office treatments are quick, but take-home options offer the comfort and convenience of whitening from home. Regardless of which option you choose, you will have a whiter smile that you can feel confident in showing off.
The benefits of professional Teeth Whitening Clarksville include:
Maintaining your results is also important. Regular dental cleanings, good brushing and flossing habits, and limiting stain-causing foods and drinks can help keep your smile brighter for longer.
The teeth whitening Clarksville process takes an hour or less to complete. However, we recommend that you have a regular hygienic dental cleaning right before your teeth are whitened for the best results. Dr. Ribeiro will also examine your teeth to make sure you have no decay, cracks in your teeth, or gum disease, which could cause irritation during the whitening process. We will then apply the whitening solution to your teeth while protecting your gums and soft tissues. Usually, the solution is applied, cleaned off, and reapplied two to three times to reach the desired shade.
Professional teeth whitening gels contain higher levels of peroxide to bleach the teeth in a shorter period of time. Unfortunately, if you have sensitive teeth, this treatment could make your condition worse. The solution will remain on your teeth for a set period of time, and Dr. Ribeiro may use a light to activate the gel and enhance the results.
Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure, so it’s usually not covered by dental insurance. Many patients use HSA or FSA funds to help cover the cost.
No, the treatment itself doesn’t hurt. Some patients experience mild, temporary sensitivity to hot or cold for a day or two afterward.
No. When performed by a dentist, teeth whitening only affects the outer enamel layer and has not been shown to cause structural damage.
Most in-office treatments are completed in about an hour, with results visible immediately.
Many patients see their desired results after one in-office visit. Take-home whitening typically takes about two weeks of daily use to reach the same level of brightness.
Results vary by person and habits like coffee, tea, or tobacco use, but most patients maintain their whiter smile for about a year before a touch-up is needed.
