Teeth Whitening
There is no question that white teeth contribute to a person’s attractiveness. Most people agree that their teeth are not as white and as they would like them to be, so they come to practices like ours looking for solutions. Patients who are looking for whiter teeth are in luck when they visit Alaska Dental Associates because we have several options to help our patients achieve a beautiful white smile!
Teeth whitening is a non-invasive, cosmetic procedure that yields results that are both fast, and drastic. While the results of almost any dental procedure can vary based on the particular patient, you can expect to see a substantial difference in the whiteness of your teeth within a short time frame.
Reasons to Get Your Teeth Whitened Professionally
The main reason that people get their teeth whitened is to improve the appearance of their smile in a short time period. While over the counter options can yield results, there are many reasons that your best choice for teeth whitening is seeing a professional dentist. Seeing a dental professional for your whitening needs, like our dentist here in Anchorage, can help you make sure that your whitening gel contacts all of the surfaces of your teeth without excess bleach coming in contact with your gums which can irritate the gums. Irritation and sensitivity are common issues with store-bought solutions.
A thorough exam from our dentist or dental hygienist can help you identify foods to be aware of if you want to keep your teeth as white as possible. They can also help determine if there are other concerns which are causing your teeth to stain more than they usually would. Some contributing factors could be tooth decay, soft enamel, fluoridosis, or one of several other dental issues.
We also have several other cosmetic options if teeth whitening alone won’t get you to the smile of your dreams! Click here to see more.
Procedure Overview
Depending on the teeth whitening option you choose, this procedure can usually be done very quickly and may only require one visit to the dentist. For many people seeking teeth whitening in Anchorage, this is often not the case, and they may require multiple appointments before achieving the color they are looking to attain.
There are no lasting side effects that should be cause for concern, but you some people report increased sensitivity for a short time after whitening their teeth.
One thing to note is that teeth whitening only works on natural teeth. If you have veneers, false teeth, or similar dental restorations in place, these teeth will not be affected by the whitening procedure. Working together with Dr. Triggs will allow you to achieve a natural looking, whiter smile, even if you have a combination of natural and unnatural teeth.
Take-home Whitening
One of the main types of professional teeth whitening is take-home whitening. When you come into our office, we will fit your teeth with custom bleach trays that fit tightly against your teeth to ensure that the whitening gel comes in contact with all of your teeth, while minimizing contact with your gums.
Along with your bleach trays, you will also get the bleaching gel which you will use for several days. The length of time that you keep the trays in depends on the strength of your bleaching gel, so be sure to follow the instructions that your dentist gives you.
In-Office Whitening
While it is not as common, there are also options for in-office whitening. These in-office procedures are typically used when there are things that the dentist needs to keep an eye on, or when a patient would like to get faster results than they would otherwise be able to accomplish with the take-home bleaching trays.
Whatever your particular situation is, Dr. Triggs, our fantastic dentist in Anchorage can help you achieve the white smile of your dreams!
Get Whiter Teeth in Anchorage Today
If you want to take the first step in getting the whiter smile that you have been wanting, give Alaska Dental Associates a call today at (907)562-2284 to schedule an appointment!