Teeth Whitening

The first reason for this is that there are some conditions of your teeth or mouth that make it inadvisable to employ teeth whitening. For example, if you have cavities, gum disease or sensitive teeth, these problems should be addressed before teeth whitening is done. 

The second reason is that certain kinds of tooth discoloration will not respond to whitening techniques. If you try to whiten brown or gray toned-teeth, you may be disappointed and waste your investment. Dr. Bernard Lynch can perform a preliminary examination to determine which type of whitening service will offer you the best results. 

The third reason it’s a good idea to see your dentist for this treatment is that the first phase of your professional whitening appointment is cleaning away any plaque built up on the teeth before bleaching them. 

The basic idea is that the gums and other soft parts of the mouth are protected and the visible teeth are coated with a bleaching agent. Whitening systems use either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. This bleaching gel is left on the teeth for a period of time—often 15 to 30 minutes—and then it is cleaned off. The process may be repeated.

Darkening is a natural result of aging. Age-related discoloration is likely to respond to whitening treatment from Dr. Lynch. When discoloration has resulted from drinks like colas, tea or coffee, or it has resulted from smoking, then you may be able to see a good result. It would be very smart to consider changing any habits, like smoking or drinking dark-colored beverages, that caused the discoloration in the first place. 

One of the types of teeth whitening Dr. Lynch offers is the Zoom! in-office system. This system utilizes hydrogen peroxide to penetrate the enamel of your teeth and lighten the next layer underneath it. While the rest of your mouth is protected, Zoom! materials are applied to your teeth and then a special light is shined on the teeth to intensify the whitening process. At the end of the whitening period, the gel is cleaned off the teeth. The color is checked against a guide to determine progress. This process is repeated and can result in an eight-shade change of color in just one session. 

There is also a take-home version of this treatment which can be used to maintain whiteness after in-office treatment or as an alternative to it. In both cases, you still receive the benefit of professional guidance on the best system for your teeth, and an assurance that your teeth are healthy enough to receive this service without harm. 

Are you ready for more brilliantly white teeth? Call us for a consultation to get you started: 703-596-1555.