Advanced Teeth Whitening Service now Available
Are you unhappy with the color of your teeth? Perhaps they have a yellow, dull look or dark stains and you don’t think they look very attractive. Perhaps you’ve tried tooth whitening toothpaste, stopped drinking tea and coffee, yet the stains persist.
If this is you, and you’re ready to get a whiter brighter smile, you’ll be pleased to know that there is a safe and proven professional teeth whitening service near you. With fast and effective treatments, we can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades in a single visit, without creating that “artificial white” look so that you can feel confident just in time for that special occasion.
At Reflection Dental, we provide our patients with advanced teeth whitening as an innovative, proven and effective way to transform the appearance of your teeth.
What Causes Teeth to Stain?
Stained and discolored teeth are a natural part of life and can be caused by many factors such as:
- Age
- Diet
- Disease
- Tobacco use
- Red wine
- Deep colored foods such as tomato sauce
- Decay
- Mild fluorosis
- Tetracycline antibiotics
- Genetics
As we age, teeth can become discolored as the enamel which covers a tooth becomes thinner. Many foods and drinks can stain and discolor those pearly whites. Tea, coffee and red wine are some of the more common culprits.
Stained teeth can also be caused by certain medical conditions, or due to trauma to your teeth. The use of tobacco can also cause your teeth to become yellow or stained.
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Akhavan. He is truly a top tier dentist. My wife and I along with my son and daughter have been seeing Dr. A for the past 5 years and we all love him. From regular checkups, cosmetic procedures or implants he always exceeds our expectations. No fancy dental jargon here when explaining a procedure. He always makes sure that I/we understand completely what needs to happen before we make a decision on treatment. I highly recommend him to anyone that truly wants to have a 5 star experience.
Glenn T.
Over-the-Counter vs. Professional Teeth Whitening System
There are many teeth whitening products available at the stores you can use for at-home teeth whitening, for example, toothpastes and strips. The active bleaching ingredients in these products are much weaker than the professional-strength teeth whitening system we offer at our practice. The hydrogen peroxide-based gel used as part of our treatment is much stronger than any product or ingredient you will find in a store. The higher strength gel along with the activating light creates a chemical reaction that deeply penetrates the teeth and can whiten teeth up to eight shades in a single visit.
Some at-home treatments may also damage your teeth or gums if not applied properly. That’s why we always recommend you have teeth whitening done under the supervision of a dental professional such as Dr. Akhavan.
Most over the counter solutions like whitening strips, trays, or toothpastes will only remove the surface stains on your teeth. A lot of the staining comes from under the enamel so you need a whitening solution that has the power to penetrate it.
In-chair professional teeth whitening is the most dependable way to improve the appearance of your smile without undergoing major dental work. We can perform this procedure on your lunch break; so everyone has time to get a whiter smile.
What to Expect at Your Teeth Whitening Treatment
If you’ve never had teeth whitening before, you’ll be relieved to know that this procedure has been performed thousands of times across Orange County with great results and minimal discomfort.
Here, we’ll describe the steps we go through. Dr. Akhavan is known by his peers as a perfectionist, performing many additional steps and checking the results throughout the entire process.
1. Reducing Tooth Sensitivity
Prior to your teeth whitening you can use toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth to help prevent any discomfort during treatment. The active ingredients in these toothpastes work by filling naturally-occurring microscopic holes in the tooth’s surface, which cause sensitivity. At the start of treatment a protective barrier is placed on the gums to prevent any irritation of the soft tissue; however, this usually does not protect against tooth sensitivity. If you have difficulty tolerating your treatment, Dr. Akhavan can modify the intensity of the gel or shorten the duration of time your teeth are exposed to the activating light. Another option is to split your full treatment over two days to limit sensitivity.
2. The Whitening Process
It’s important to follow all of the steps recommended by the manufacturer of the whitening system. This is done to minimize any discomfort and to give you the maximum results possible. At Reflection Dental, we don’t just sit you in a chair and apply the whitening gel. We want you to be comfortable and be happy with the results. It’s no good if you go to a dentist who cuts corners and then you’re unhappy with the whole experience.
We go the extra mile when it comes to preparation, which is why we explain every step of the procedure. Your friends and neighbors all agree that all of the extra preparation steps allow us to give you the whitest teeth possible and allow you to get on with your life with minimal discomfort. Trust your teeth with the experienced 5 star rated dental team!
The exact steps we follow are:
- Your lips will be protected with a special cream to avoid any chance of irritation.
- A retractor is placed in your mouth which helps to pull back the lips and expose the teeth.
- Pictures of your teeth are taken, along with a shade guide to determine how white you’d like to have your teeth.
- Gauze is placed inside of your mouth along with a bib around your face which prevents any whitening gel from going where it’s not wanted.
- Sunglasses are used to protect your eyes.
- To protect your gums from any irritation, we’ll place a protective solution on your gums.
- The professional-grade whitening gel is evenly coated over the teeth.
- The hydrogen peroxide-based gel is then activated by a special laser light that encourages oxygen to enter the dentin and enamel, bleaching out stains and discoloration.
- This last step can take up to 15 minutes, after which we’ll examine your teeth, reapply the whitening solution and apply the laser light for another 15 minutes. This frequent checking is done so that we can control how bright we make your teeth and ensure the gums are not getting irritated.
- Once we’ve finished the procedure, we wipe away any whitening gel that’s left on your teeth, remove the gauze then rinse out your mouth. Sometimes a finishing product is applied.
- Lastly, we’ll take some more pictures of your teeth so that you can compare your teeth before and after your whitening treatment.
3. Treatment time – How Long Does it Take?
The entire chair-side procedure can usually be completed within an hour, you can immediately return to your normal daily life with no downtime, and you can enjoy a whiter, brighter smile.
Caring for your New Bright Smile
The effects of teeth whitening can last up to three years on average. That duration may vary from person to person based on many factors. To keep your teeth as white as possible for as long as possible, limit your consumption of tooth-staining substances and consider consuming drinks with a straw. These include:
- Coffee, tea, sodas and red wine.
- Berries such as raspberries, strawberries and blackberries.
- Tomato based sauces.
- Acidic drinks, including sports drinks.
- Tobacco products.
Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth twice a day, and come in for a regular check up and cleaning every six months. Good oral hygiene helps to prevent stains. If your teeth do stain, call our office for a maintenance treatment.
Get The Bright White Smile you Deserve
A bright white smile exudes confidence and promotes a youthful appearance. Stained, yellowing teeth can affect your self-confidence. The experienced dental team at Reflection Dental wants to help you look your best at every age, which is why we offer state of the art teeth whitening solutions.
Dr. Akhavan and the dental team at Reflection Dental are well-experienced in treating stained teeth, including those with stubborn stains from age, diet, and medication.
Most stains respond well to professional teeth whitening treatments. If stained teeth have you feeling less than confident about your smile, call the closest office to you to schedule a free smile consultation and discover how teeth whitening can give you a brighter, whiter smile in a single visit! The sooner you take action, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy that dazzling smile!
Helpful links
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD).
- WebMD: pros and cons of teeth whitening.
- The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). “Tooth Whitening: What We Now Know“
Content updated March 2020, reviewed and approved by Dr. Parham Akhavan DDS