Eden Prairie Dentist | 8775 Columbine Road Eden Prairie, MN 55344 | (952) 942-0823
Various factors can contribute to the discoloration of your teeth. Dietary habits, drinking too much coffee, tea soda, red wine as well as certain medication can affect the whiteness of your teeth. Often people can feel depressed or less confident because of this discoloration of teeth.
Tooth whitening is an inexpensive and effective procedure to combat tooth discoloration in order to improve your appearance and, in turn, your self-confidence. Opalescence is a professional tooth whitening product, which can be easily used at home but under the guidance of your dentist.
This particular product can be purchased from your dentist directly to ensure the right quality product is provided for satisfactory results. Opalescence offers a variety of tooth whitening products guaranteed to give you the results you desire.
Before your dentist decides if Opalescence is right for you or not, he/she will first need to conduct a thorough examination of your mouth including the teeth and gums to ensure proper hygiene and health is maintained. Your dentist may at this time talk about your lifestyle habits and oral hygiene to decide if the treatment will benefit you.
While using the treatment, your dentist will constantly supervise you from the initial consultation to completion. Your teeth need to be free of a cavity to go through this procedure. Custom trays are constructed to fit the exact size and contours of your mouth and are made to sit perfectly on the top surface of your teeth.
Once the tray size is determined, a super-strong bleaching agent is inserted into the tray. This agent is identified by your dentist which is either hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen carbamide. The amount of time varies from one to four hours a day to wear the trays, depending on the strength of the bleaching agent.
If you are getting the procedure at a clinic, then it may take between one to two hours. The length of time depends on the extent of tooth discoloration you may have and the degree of results you are aiming to achieve. The dentist protects the gums and lips as the procedure begins and a whitening gel is applied to the front of your teeth for 10 to 15 minutes. The gel is re-applied up to five times and rinsed after every 15 minutes. The number of reapplications depends on the intensity of the results.
In many cases, the whitening gel can improve your oral health by decreasing sensitivity, prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel. It won’t hurt your gums.
There can be a number of reasons to opt for Opalescence. Tooth whitening is a more common reason but if you are planning to undergo cosmetic dental procedures such as composite bonding or veneers, your dentist may recommend you to consider getting Opalescence done. This is because any existing dental work such as crowns and veneers will not respond to any whitening agents.
The cost of the treatment may vary depending on a number of factors. For example, the experience of the dentist and the location of the treatment often lead to price differences. On average, Opalescence can cost up to $500 approximately.
Numerous factors are involved when determining how long your treatment will last. Majorly, lifestyle factors determine how long the effects will last. For example, if you smoke or are a big consumer of dark beverages, your teeth can discolor quicker. Fortunately, top-up treatment solutions are offered, which are quick and effective at restoring the whiteness of your teeth. A wide range of post-whitening toothpaste and brushes are offered by Opalescence to help you preserve your bright sparkly smile.
It is quite likely for patients to experience some degree of tooth sensitivity after Opalescence treatment, but a qualified dentist will make sure that you experience the minimal possible discomfort during or after having the procedure done.
Generally, teeth may continue to whiten for up to 24 hours after the treatment. Therefore, to ensure that your teeth reach their whitest, your dentist may ask you to opt for Take-Home Bleaching System. This will allow your teeth to reach a finalized stable color within a prescribed time frame. Having said that, you will also need to make sure to avoid the consumption of staining foods and beverages or, at the very least, brush after taking these. Whitening toothpaste may also be recommended by your dentist to maintain the results of the treatment.