Professional Teeth Whitening

Achieve a Brighter, Whiter Smile

A bright white smile is one of the most desired dental features. Unfortunately, teeth naturally yellow and stain over time due to aging, dietary habits, and lifestyle choices. Professional teeth whitening is one of the most popular and affordable cosmetic dental procedures. Unlike over-the-counter whitening products, professional whitening delivers dramatically superior results because we use stronger whitening agents under controlled conditions to ensure both safety and effectiveness. At Lincoln Smiles Dental, we offer professional whitening options that can brighten your teeth multiple shades in just one appointment.

Why Teeth Stain and Yellow

Tooth color is determined by the thickness and shade of the dentin layer beneath the enamel, and the whiteness of the enamel itself. As we age, the enamel naturally becomes thinner, allowing the more yellow dentin to show through. Certain foods and beverages stain teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas are notorious for staining. Smoking and chewing tobacco cause significant yellowing and staining that's difficult to remove with normal brushing.

Some medications can cause tooth discoloration, particularly those containing tetracycline antibiotics taken during childhood when permanent teeth are forming. Trauma to a tooth can cause it to darken as the tooth's blood vessels are damaged. While excellent brushing and regular cleanings help maintain tooth color, they can't reverse yellowing or remove deep stains. That's where professional whitening comes in.

Professional Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter Products

Over-the-counter whitening strips, gels, and kits seem appealing because they're inexpensive and available without a dental appointment. However, they have significant limitations. The whitening agents in these products are much weaker than those we use professionally. Over-the-counter trays are one-size-fits-all and don't fit your teeth properly, allowing whitening gel to contact your gums and cause irritation. Because the gel isn't in contact with your teeth evenly, you get uneven results with some teeth whitening more than others.

Professional whitening delivers superior results because we use much stronger whitening agents (peroxide concentrations 3 to 8 times higher than over-the-counter products) under controlled conditions. For in-office whitening, we use a specialized light-activated system that maximizes the effectiveness of the whitening gel. We protect your gums and soft tissues with barriers so the whitening agent only contacts your teeth. Results are dramatically better than anything you can achieve at home with over-the-counter products.

Professional take-home trays are also superior to over-the-counter options. We create custom trays that fit your teeth perfectly, ensuring the whitening gel contacts all tooth surfaces evenly. The custom fit prevents the gel from contacting sensitive gums. Professional-strength whitening gel used in our custom trays is significantly more effective than over-the-counter formulas.

In-Office Whitening

Our in-office whitening produces the most dramatic results in the shortest time. The appointment typically takes about one hour. We begin by examining your teeth and discussing your whitening goals. We take a baseline shade measurement so you can see exactly how much your teeth have whitened. We then protect your gums and lips with barriers to prevent the whitening gel from contacting sensitive tissues.

We apply professional-strength whitening gel to your teeth and activate it with our specialized light-activated whitening system. The gel remains on your teeth for a specific time period, typically 15 to 20 minutes. We then rinse off the gel and assess results. For maximum whitening, we repeat the application process two to three times in a single appointment. After completing the whitening process, we apply a fluoride treatment to strengthen enamel and reduce post-whitening sensitivity.

Most patients see teeth whitening of 6 to 10 shades in a single in-office appointment. Results are immediate and dramatic. You'll walk out of our office with a noticeably brighter smile that you'll love. Some sensitivity may occur during or after whitening, but we take steps to minimize this and it typically resolves within a few days.

Custom Take-Home Whitening Kits

For patients who prefer to whiten at their own pace, we offer custom take-home whitening kits. During your appointment, we create impressions of your teeth and have custom whitening trays made that fit your teeth perfectly. The custom fit ensures the whitening gel makes contact with all tooth surfaces evenly and prevents gel from contacting your gums.

We provide you with professional-strength whitening gel and detailed instructions on how to use the trays. Typically, you wear the trays for 30 minutes to one hour daily for one to two weeks. Results develop gradually over this time period, but you'll see noticeable improvement within a few days and significant whitening within a week or two. The benefit of take-home trays is that you can whiten at your convenience and maintain or enhance your results long-term by using the trays occasionally.

Many patients use take-home trays after in-office whitening to maintain their bright results. Occasional touch-up treatments with your custom trays keep your smile as bright as you want it. This combination approach gives you the best of both worlds: dramatic immediate results with in-office treatment and the ability to maintain and enhance results at home.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Whitening?

Professional whitening works best on natural teeth. It whitens the enamel of your natural teeth but doesn't affect the color of dental work like fillings, crowns, bridges, or implant crowns. If you have significant restorations, we'll discuss this during your consultation. Sometimes we'll whiten your natural teeth first, then create new restorations to match your newly whitened teeth.

Whitening is not recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, and we typically wait until kids are at least 16 years old before whitening because their teeth are still developing. Some tooth discoloration caused by certain medications or trauma may not respond as well to whitening as normal yellowing. During your consultation, we'll evaluate whether whitening will work well for your specific situation.

If you have very sensitive teeth, let us know. We can take precautions to minimize sensitivity during whitening, including applying desensitizing gel before and after treatment. Most patients with sensitivity can still benefit from professional whitening with proper management.

Is Whitening Safe?

Professional whitening is safe when performed by a dental professional. The whitening agents we use are carefully formulated to effectively whiten teeth while minimizing risk of damage. We protect your gums and soft tissues to prevent irritation. Studies show that professional whitening does not damage tooth structure or enamel. The bleaching agents work only on the color-producing molecules in your tooth, not on the tooth structure itself.

Some sensitivity may occur during or after whitening, but this is temporary and easily managed. We use desensitizing treatments before and after whitening to minimize sensitivity. Any sensitivity resolves within a few days as the tooth's natural calcium remineralization occurs. Professional whitening is the safest, most effective way to brighten your smile.

Maintaining Your Whitening Results

The longevity of whitening results varies depending on your habits and diet. Teeth will gradually return to their baseline color over time, typically 6 to 12 months with in-office whitening, though you'll maintain a significant improvement. To extend your results, avoid staining foods and beverages as much as possible. If you drink coffee or tea, use a straw to reduce contact with your front teeth. Quit smoking if you do, as smoking causes rapid re-staining.

Maintain excellent oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing. Professional cleanings every six months remove surface stains that contribute to discoloration. Many patients maintain their results indefinitely with occasional touch-up treatments. If you had custom take-home trays made, you can use them occasionally with over-the-counter or professional-strength whitening gel to touch up your results as needed.

Professional whitening is a wonderful way to enhance your smile and boost your confidence. Whether you choose in-office whitening for immediate dramatic results or custom take-home trays for gradual results you can maintain long-term, you'll be amazed at the transformation a brighter smile makes in your appearance and confidence.