Tooth Whitening

Cosmetic Dentist serving Philadelphia, Main Line, and Ardmore, Pennsylvania

Questions about Teeth Whitening

Do tooth whitening agents alter the color of previous dental work?
No. Dental porcelain and bonding are not affected by tooth whitening agents and neither are gold alloys or dental amalgam. If you are planning any dental work such as porcelain veneers or tooth-colored fillings, you should have the tooth whitening done first so that Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist, Dr. Marshall can match the restoration material to your new tooth color.

What choices are there for effective tooth whitening?
To get it done effectively, avoid over-the-counter kits (the trays will not fit your mouth) and whitening toothpaste (some may contain abrasive ingredients that will remove enamel and end up giving you yellow teeth). The quickest and most dramatic results come from an in-office procedure and there are a number of such professional tooth-whitening systems. We use the Zoom! Teeth Whitening System for its speed and effectiveness.

Use of an at-home whitening kit provided by a cosmetic dentist can also be effective if you use it as directed. It takes longer, but offers you more convenience. Dr. Marshall offers a take-home kit and can have your trays custom-made for a snug fit.

Is tooth whitening feasible if you have sensitive teeth?
Yes. Please inform us if your teeth are particularly sensitive. If you choose to have in-office tooth whitening, we can use a milder bleaching agent; and if at any point your teeth start to feel too uncomfortable, we will stop treatment and apply de-sensitizing gel. If you choose a take-home kit, we can equip it with moderate or strong bleaching gel according to your request.

If you have sensitive teeth, you may want to consider using a de-sensitizing toothpaste and Dr. Marshall can provide you with that. It will help strengthen the enamel, protecting the tooth nerves.

Could the whitening agent damage my teeth?
There are no recorded instances of irreversible or structural damage caused by any tooth-whitening methods. You may experience temporary tooth sensitivity but that is not damaging to the tooth, it just feels a bit uncomfortable.

How quickly are tooth whitening results visible?
You will see immediate results from your in-office tooth whitening. At-home whitening is slower to show results and depends on how often you do the treatment and how consistently.

Tooth whitening is a quick and dramatic way to brighten and improve your smile. Please see our page on Teeth Whitening for more information. You might also like to check the Before and After Gallery.

If you live in the Philadelphia, Ardmore, or Main Line, Pennsylvania area and are considering tooth whitening treatments, please contact our cosmetic dentist for a personal teeth whitening consultation

602 The Times Building
Suburban Square
Ardmore, PA 19003
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