Teeth Whitening in Sudbury
At Sudbury Dental Group, our dentists offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening options to help our patients brighten their smiles.
What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a safe, effective method of removing stains and lightening the colour of your teeth.
With age, teeth can be exposed and become more vulnerable to staining from food, beverages and other substances such as tobacco. Our tooth enamel naturally attracts particles, and products such as tea, coffee, and berries are notorious for staining teeth.
Peroxide-based bleaching agents used during the teeth whitening process are designed to reverse the effects of aging and staining, lightening the colour of your teeth.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Teeth whitening uses peroxide-based bleaching agents to lighten the colour of your teeth. The active ingredient reacts with oxygen on the tooth enamel, creating a whitening effect.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
During an in-office teeth whitening treatment, a barrier is applied around your gums to protect them, followed by a thin layer of gel being applied to each tooth. The gel becomes chemically activated. This process is repeated a few times until the desired shade of white is achieved. The treatment takes about two hours on average.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
With the teeth whitening options offered at Sudbury Dental Group, you can whiten your teeth in the comfort and convenience of your own home. Custom whitening trays are created specifically for your smile. Your dentist will provide you with detailed at-home instructions to follow throughout the course of your treatment.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about teeth whitening at Sudbury Dental Group.
- How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening is a temporary solution to whiten your smile.
If your teeth are continually exposed to foods and drinks that can cause staining, you will likely be able to see the whiteness start to fade after a few months.
If you are diligent in avoiding these foods and drinks following your teeth whitening treatment, your teeth may just need a touch-up after a year or so.
- Does teeth whitening make teeth more sensitive?
In the short term, teeth whitening may make your teeth more sensitive. For most patients, this sensitivity fades away within a few days following a whitening session.
To minimize any discomfort you may feel, we recommend using an anti-sensitivity toothpaste before treatment and for at least two weeks after your treatment.
- Do teeth whitening products work on all stains?
Teeth whitening treatments work best on yellow and brown-coloured stains.
Grey, blue and purple-coloured stains tend not to respond to whitening at all. For teeth with these types of stains, cosmetic treatments such as veneers or dental crowns may be a better fit.
- Does teeth whitening work on dental restorations?
No, teeth whitening works only on natural teeth. It does not work on existing dental restorations such as dental crowns or veneers
If crowns or veneers are part of your treatment plan, you should have your teeth whitened before you receive dental restorations.
- Will teeth whitening damage my tooth enamel?
If used with the supervision of a qualified dentist, it's very unlikely that teeth whitening will damage dental enamel.
Always consult your dentist to ensure you are using any teeth whitening products safely and effectively.
- Does insurance cover the cost of teeth whitening?
The cost of teeth whitening is not usually covered by dental insurance because it is a purely cosmetic procedure with no health benefits for your teeth.