Teeth Whitening, or bleaching, is a safe and very popular way to give you a whiter, more confident smile fast. It is one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry services that Dr. Richard Sousa offers. There are a variety of techniques that we have available at our office to provide a whiter smile from convenient, custom take-home bleaching kits to porcelain veneers for teeth stains and discoloration that will not respond to bleaching products.
If you have stained or discolored teeth, Dr. Sousa will evaluate the cause of your discoloration and work with you to determine the best treatment option for your goals.
Dr. Sousa offers the Zoom® in-office whitening system for a quick smile makeover with often dramatic results. In about an hour, your teeth will be up to 8 shades whiter using the unique Zoom products, which reduce sensitivity and protect the enamel of your teeth.
Teeth Whitening What to Expect
In-Office Whitening with Zoom
ZOOM™ professional tooth whitening is the hottest technique available to dental professionals. During your treatment, we will first isolate the teeth we plan to whiten and then apply 4 x 15-minute applications of the ZOOM™ whitening gel that is then accelerated by the ZOOM™ light.
You can relax with headphones and an iPod while your teeth are whitening in just over 1 hour! You are also provided with whitening trays that you can then apply additional whitening gel to maintain your bright new smile!
The results are permanent; however, everyone’s teeth will get darker over the years (whether or not they have ever whitened their teeth). Provided you take care of your appliances, and only minor changes are done to your teeth over the years, you can simply purchase a professional touch-up kit for less than what it costs for a good haircut to help keep your smile beautiful and white!
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
At-home whitening systems can be bought in stores, but they cannot compare to the predictability and results of professionally provided whitening systems. Our take-home teeth whitening kits include custom-fit bleaching trays and professional-grade products for a consistent, safe, and lasting result.
A brief visit for impressions to be used in the creation of your custom set of trays is all that is needed. You can whiten your teeth gradually in the comfort of your home.
Yes! Dr. Sousa offers many treatments that offer a more permanent whitening solution. We highly recommend porcelain veneers which are thin shells that cover the front of the tooth instantly making them white. He can also use tooth bonding which will only last a few years compared to the 20 years veneers can last.
Professional teeth whitening formulas will whiten your teeth better and faster. They are able to use formulas with a higher concentration of whitening agents. Also, they offer more even results with less sensitivity. Store-bought whitening products are generally weaker and will take many applications to see results. If applied incorrectly, they will produce uneven results.
The best way to maintain your results is to take good care of your teeth. This includes brushing your teeth several times a day and flossing at least once a day. For the best results, limit your intake of dark food and beverages such as red wine, coffee, tea, etc.
Yes, teeth whitening can remove certain types of stains from your teeth. The active ingredient in most teeth-whitening products is hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These active ingredients act as a bleaching agent to lighten the color of the teeth. This can help to remove stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and other food and drinks. However, teeth whitening cannot remove all types of stains. Some stains may not respond to whitening treatments. If you’re considering using teeth whitening to remove stains from your teeth, it’s a good idea to talk to your dentist first.
Not everyone is a good candidate for teeth whitening. Your dentist will give you an examination and assess your oral health history to determine if teeth whitening is the best option for you. Patients with cavities, gum disease, or worn enamel may not be good candidates for teeth whitening treatment. Additionally, patients with sensitive teeth may also experience discomfort during and after the treatment. It’s important to talk with your dentist before undergoing teeth whitening treatment to determine if it is the right option for you.
After teeth whitening, you should avoid or limit the consumption of foods and drinks that can stain the teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, and berries are foods and drinks you should avoid. Additionally, you should avoid smoking and other tobacco products, and acidic or sugary foods and drinks should be limited. This can help maintain the whitening effects of the treatment and prevent new stains from forming.
