What does your smile say about you? Has your smile dulled over the years? Have years of smoking, drinking coffee, tea, wine etc, discoloured your teeth? Fortunately, dentistry has a solution for your yellowing teeth! Tooth whitening has become a popular exercise with the rise of personal appearance television shows and over the counter solutions. What are some causes of Tooth Discolouration? Drinking coffee, tea, wine or soft drinks stains teeth Natural aging – the dentin underneath the enamel of a tooth darkens Smoking or any tobacco use stains teeth Accidents – a dead nerve will darken a tooth Root Canal Therapy Is Whitening Safe? Whitening is very safe! Tooth Whitening is a process that restores stained or discoloured teeth to a healthy, natural colour. Our office uses an advanced procedure that is not available over the counter. Is Whitening For Me? We will evaluate your teeth and smile with you, to determine whether whitening is right for you. Sometimes we may recommend a different cosmetic procedure which would better meet your expectations. What Is The Whitening Process? First, we will make impressions of your teeth so that our lab can create custom whitening trays to fit your mouth. These trays will guide the whitening agent to the areas of your teeth that need to be whitened. We will then record the current colour of your teeth to help you monitor your progress. You will learn how to apply the whitening agent to your trays and how to insert them properly into your mouth. These trays and the whitening agent can then be taken home with you. The trays can be worn while you sleep or during the day. The clear, custom-fitted trays are barely visible and should not interfere with your ability to speak. When Will I See Results? Immediately! Most patients see results after the first night. The time it will take depends on the original colour of your teeth, how discoloured they were, and how frequently the treatment is applied. How Long Will The Results Last? The effects can last upwards of a year and vary depending on your lifestyle (i.e. smoking, drinking beverages that are apt to stain, etc). Many patients choose to 'touch-up' their teeth every 6 to 12 months by applying the treatment for 1 or 2 nights. Are There Any Side-Effects? Some patients may experience heightened tooth sensitivity or mild tooth or gum sensitivity during treatment, but these symptoms are only temporary and disappear shortly after the treatment is completed. Feel free to ask us about professional tooth whitening as well as over the counter agents. We'd be happy to compare treatments and help you decide which treatment will be most effective for you.