Cosmetic Dentistry
Teeth Whitening
Brighten Your Smile
with Professional Whitening
Enjoy your favorite beverages and foods without worrying about teeth stains. Dr. Wiitala offers safe and effective teeth whitening in Scottsdale to restore your bright smile. Our treatments, including 30-minute in-office procedures and custom take-home trays, can significantly improve tooth color.
How does teeth whitening work?
Hydrogen peroxide has the ability to penetrate the tooth enamel, which is somewhat porous. Once it penetrates the enamel, the peroxide breaks down the stain. Peroxide can also break down stains in the dentin layer of the teeth, but it takes longer.
Benefits of teeth whitening
You could phrase that question to ask, “What is the benefit of confidence?” A bright white smile can give you a boost of confidence when you’re dealing with other people. In a study by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 48 percent of people say a person’s smile is the most memorable feature they remember when meeting someone new.
As we age and with the stains that occur with drinking coffee, red wine, even eating raspberries, our teeth can become dingy and dull. Our various whitening options, whether in-office or at home, whiten your teeth by many shades and make them bright, white, and something to smile about.
What is Boost teeth whitening?
Opalescence Boost is the most powerful chemically activated teeth whitening option available. First, we protect your gums and lips. Then we apply the Boost hydrogen peroxide bleaching solution onto your teeth, painting it on by hand. We activate the gel with a mercury metal halide light; this opens the pores in the enamel of your teeth to allow the bleaching agent to penetrate more deeply. We then remove the gel and repeat the process three more times in about one hour. Your teeth will then be several shades whiter.
Will whitening work on my teeth?
Generally, teeth whitening will work on teeth that are discolored or stained due to these factors:
- Age
- Genetics
- Coffee, soda, tea, and certain foods
- Tobacco use
- Poor home hygiene
The teeth can also become discolored by trauma, gum disease or tooth infection, medications such as tetracycline, and fluorosis (excessive use of fluoride). When this is the cause of your tooth discoloration, topical whitening solutions don’t work. In these cases, Dr. Wiitala may recommend porcelain veneers, bonding, or dental crowns to cover the staining.
Frequently asked questions about teeth whitening
The degree of whitening that can be achieved varies by the patient. However, all of the whitening options we use at Dr. Wiitala’s are proven to be effective for removing stains and whitening teeth. The goal is to bring your teeth back to their natural whiteness.
This depends on your eating and drinking habits, along with your age and, to a degree, your genes. Some people have enamel that is more porous (and prone to accumulating stains) than others. Generally, most of our patients expect their teeth to stay white for about a year. Touch-ups will prolong your results.
Whitening can make the teeth a little more sensitive for a brief period of time after the application, but that passes quickly. If you have particularly sensitive teeth, be sure to tell us because we can desensitize your teeth before we perform the whitening.
No. There are no recorded instances of irreversible or structural damage caused by tooth whitening. Any effects, such as sensitivity, are temporary.
In-office teeth whitening is a safe procedure, but it can increase sensitivity in the teeth. For this reason, it is recommended that patients have in-office whitening performed once yearly or every few years, with in-home touch-ups throughout the year. This helps keep your smile white without causing excess sensitivity.`
There is no recovery process involved with teeth whitening. With that being said, there are several aftercare tips you must follow to see the best results from your teeth whitening procedure. This includes the following:
- Avoid stain-causing foods and beverages
- Do not eat acidic foods, such as lemons or pickles
- Avoid tobacco products
- Do not use colored dental products, such as mouthwash
These aftercare tips apply primarily to the first few days after your procedure when your teeth are the most susceptible to staining and discoloration. About one week after your teeth whitening treatment, you can resume these activities in moderation. To experience prolonged results, you should try to consume stain-causing food and drinks as little as possible.
To maintain the results of your teeth whitening procedure, you can seek minor touch-ups throughout the year. In-home teeth whitening with dental trays is a simple way to keep your teeth white between in-office sessions.
You should also avoid foods and drinks that cause staining. Some examples of what to avoid include:
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Berries
- Tea
- Sodas
- Dark sauces
- Colorful juices
- Anything containing artificial coloring
These foods and drinks should be avoided altogether in the 48 to 72 hours following your teeth whitening. After these first three days, they can be consumed at a minimum. To avoid any potential staining, rinse your mouth with water immediately after having any of these stain-causing items.
Practicing good dental hygiene will also prolong your whitening results. Brushing and flossing twice daily and rinsing with an appropriate mouthwash will keep harmful plaque from discoloring the teeth.
You will see the results of your teeth whitening treatment the same day as your procedure. Most patients see the outcome immediately after their treatment. Others see their results about 30 minutes to one hour after their procedure.
Your teeth will be especially vulnerable to staining in the hours immediately following a whitening treatment. You should avoid eating or drinking for about three hours after treatment. You can then resume drinking clear liquids and pale foods for 24 to 48 hours. After this point, you can begin eating and drinking as normal, but keep stain-causing foods to a minimum.
With our different teeth whitening options, you can find the method and price that fit your needs. Dr. Wiitala has options ranging from $199 – $400.
In-office teeth whitening usually takes about an hour. We can make custom whitening trays in as little as 15 min.
Don’t wait to brighten your smile! Contact Dr. Wiitala today!
To schedule a teeth whitening session at our Scottsdale office, call (480) 657-6981 or submit an appointment request form. You can also read more about the various services we offer by visiting Eric Wiitala, DDS’s blog! Our practice looks forward to serving you.
Kind Words From Proud Patients
Love, love, love Dr Wiitala and my hygienist, Andrea. They are the best! I don’t even mind going to the dentist anymore, and that’s saying a lot. Whole staff is amazing!
Excellent service. Caring, professional, friendly and excellent skills. I travel from Portland Or to see Dr Wiitala and his team. They are the best. Highly recommend Dr Wiitala and his team.
Dr. Wiitala and his staff definitely deserve five stars or more! The friendliness and professionalism shown by everyone in this office is amazing! I would have no hesitation in recommending them for your dental needs
never thought I would say I really enjoyed a visit to the dentist but here I am. These guys are amazing‼️ Totally professional and yet friendly and accommodating. So thankful a friend recommended me to them. Now I am recommending them😃 Thank you guys, Sadie, Lindsey, Dr. Wiitala and entire team for a job well done 👍
As usual, Dr Wiitala provided superlative dental care. Should be in TOP DOCS of Phoenix! Always efficient, knowledgeable, and professional.
The dentist Eric Wiitala and the office staff are excellent. Friendly, making sure the customer is comfortable and very professional staffers. They are honest and thorough.
Dr. Wiitala, Andrea the hygienist, and staff, were all amazing! I had such a pleasant experience! After a change of insurance and a move, it took a while to find a dental office that I actually look forward to coming back to regularly. lucky to have found this gem of an office!
Great staff and Dr. Wiitala is very professional and personable
Dr Wiitala and his staff are the best – friendly, professional and knowledgeable. My family has been going to Dr Wiitala for a decade or more. It’s the best dental office ever.
Professional, excellent experience as always. Dental hygienist, Andrea thoroughly cleaned my teeth and Dr. Wiitala identified filling in need of repair before it would become a major problem down the road. This is reason I’ve been a client of Dr. Wiitala for 15+ years.