If you want a brighter, whiter smile, a dentist is your best bet. Professional teeth whitening is faster and more efficient than store-bought kits, helping you reach your desired shade in as little as a single session. Here’s what to expect from an appointment.

3 Steps in Professional Teeth Whitening

1. Cleaning & Determining Your Shade

Before beginning the procedure, the dentist will clean your teeth to remove plaque and other contaminants that could interfere with the whitening process. They’ll then record the current shade and give you an idea of how many shades lighter the treatment will make your teeth look. Depending on their current lack of brightness, multiple treatments may be needed to achieve the desired range.

2. Applying the Whitening Solution

Once the prep work is complete, they’ll use a retractor to keep your mouth open and place a protective gel barrier along the gums. This way, only the teeth will come in contact with the whitening solution.

Most professional whiteners contain hydrogen peroxide to bleach the teeth, which could harm the gums, lips, or tongue. The whitener is applied to the teeth in the form of a gel or paste.

3. Laser Activation

Depending on the type of whitening solution being used, the dentist may use a curing laser to “activate” the treatment, which can increase its effectiveness. This isn’t used with all whiteners, however. The bleaching solution will typically be left on the teeth for up to one hour, after which your teeth will be rinsed and the dentist will measure how much lighter the new shade is to determine if additional treatments will be needed.

For teeth whitening or routine dental care, expect great results from Lowitz & Meier. Serving the Greater Cincinnati, OH, area for over 30 years, this family dentistry office provides friendly service at affordable prices so you can maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. To learn more about their services and schedule an appointment, visit them online or call (513) 521-8900.