Are you unsatisfied with the color of your teeth? It could be due to discoloration from years of smoking or from eating certain foods and beverages that are known to stain your teeth over time. Thankfully, there are dental whitening procedures that can restore the color of your teeth to a shade that is much more white than they currently are. Here are some of the options for how your cosmetic dentist will do this.

At-Home Whitening Gel

One of the most affordable options your dentist may recommend is to use an at-home whitening gel. This is very different from the whitening strips that you get over the counter since the gel contains a much higher level of peroxide to make the whitening process very effective. 

You'll be given trays that will fit over your teeth and a special whitening gel. You will put the gel in the trays and apply them to your teeth to hold the gel in place, then keep them there for the indicated amount of time. It is very important that you do not leave the whitening gel on any longer than what your dentist has told you since it can irritate the gums and potentially cause damage. 

Laser Whitening

Another option is to have your dentist perform laser whitening to your teeth. The nice benefit of laser whitening is that it provides instant results that you will see before you leave the office, which means you will be happy with the results that same day. The dentist starts by cleaning your teeth to remove any plaque and tartar on the surface and then puts a protective barrier over your gums. A special gel is then applied to your teeth that acts as the whitening agent. A laser then activates the gel for about 15 minutes, after which the laser is removed, and then the dentist will look at your teeth to see the new shade that they have become.

If there is more whitening that needs to be done, the dentist will repeat this process again by applying a new layer of gel and activating it with the laser. This process could be repeated multiple times until you get the results that you desire. 

Gel Whitening

Gel whitening is very similar to laser whitening since it requires the same preparation. However, the whitening agent that is put on your teeth is not exposed to light. It is a fast-acting bleaching agent that will start making your teeth whiter immediately. The dentist will leave it on for several minutes, remove the gel, and see how white your teeth are. The process will then be repeated until the teeth reach the desired shade.

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