What Are the Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening?
Are you among the nearly 80% of Americans who wish their teeth were whiter?
It seems like everywhere you look, you see options for making your teeth look whiter and brighter. Your choices are endless, from whitening toothpaste to over-the-counter teeth whitening kits to professional whitening treatments.
At Chicago Dental Arts, we understand that your smile is integral to who you are and how the world sees you. That’s why we offer professional teeth whitening services. We want our patients to feel confident showing off their gorgeous white teeth.
Professional Teeth Whitening Options
At Chicago Dental Arts, you can choose between the in-office BIOLASE Laser system or Zoom! teeth whitening system.
We also offer a professional-grade take-home system if you’d rather do your own treatments at home.
BIOLASE Laser Teeth Whitening
The BIOLASE teeth whitening system uses a whitening gel made of 40% hydrogen peroxide.
To start, a dental dam and resin barrier are placed in your mouth to keep the whitener from going anywhere except on the teeth selected for whitening. The gel is then applied to your teeth, and the BIOLASE laser is used to activate the gel in quadrants, covering about five teeth at a time. The laser energy is concentrated on each quadrant for about 30 seconds apiece.
Once the whitening process is complete, the gel is washed off, and the resin barrier is removed. The entire process takes less than an hour, resulting in teeth up to 12 shades whiter than before.
If you choose, you may undergo more than one BIOLASE teeth whitening session; however, you should wait about a week between treatments.
Zoom! In-Office Teeth Whitening
Zoom! teeth whitening sessions begin with placing a dental dam and cotton to help keep the whitener from getting on your gums. Once your mouth is prepared, the whitening gel is applied, and the Zoom! light is used to activate the hydrogen peroxide in the gel. The treatment is done in 15-minute increments and is typically completed in about an hour.
Once the treatment is complete, you’ll have teeth up to 10 shades whiter than when you walked into the office! You may undergo Zoom! whitening treatments once a year, and you’ll receive a take-home whitening kit to use for touch-ups if necessary.
Professional At-Home Whitening
If you choose to whiten your teeth at home, we start by taking impressions of your teeth to create custom bleaching trays.
Once the custom tray is complete, you’re given professional-strength teeth whitening gel to be applied according to your customized treatment plan. The at-home system offers the convenience of whitening your teeth on your own time but will take longer than in-office treatments.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Faster Treatment
BIOLASE and Zoom! teeth whitening treatments take around an hour to complete, versus the weeks or months it may take over-the-counter whitening treatments to provide similar results.
More Powerful Treatment
Most over-the-counter whitening gels contain between 10 to 15% hydrogen peroxide. BIOLASE, Zoom!, and professional strength at-home gels used at Chicago Dental Arts offer a concentration nearly four times stronger than over-the-counter options.
BIOLASE and Zoom! also include powerful light and laser energy to activate the whitening gel to further enhance your results.
Longer-Lasting Results
Professional teeth whiteners penetrate deeper into the tooth than over-the-counter whiteners, meaning your teeth will stay whiter longer. While red wine, coffee, and other staining food and drinks will still affect your teeth, professional teeth whitening results can last up to three years.
Reduced Tooth Sensitivity
Tooth whitening can cause tooth sensitivity, but professional teeth whiteners tend to cause less sensitivity.
Over-the-counter whiteners damage the enamel and may lead to permanent tooth sensitivity. When your teeth are professionally whitened, you may experience mild sensitivity right after the treatment, but it is temporary.
Better Results Can Save You Money
While professional teeth whitening may cost more upfront, it may end up costing you less in the long run. The cost of multiple at-home whitening kits can add up, as can dental visits to mitigate any issues caused by damage to your tooth enamel by over-the-counter whiteners.
Learn More About Professional Teeth Whitening in Chicago
If you’re looking for the best way to boost your confidence in your smile, look no further than professional teeth whitening at Chicago Dental Arts. Our skilled and experienced dentists offer customized care to each patient, ensuring that your teeth are healthy and beautiful.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 312-642-6631 or fill out our online contact form.