What to Expect During a Consultation for Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening treatments are a non-invasive option that leaves teeth significantly whiter in as little as an hour. Patients can expect their teeth to be up to eight shades whiter after a round of treatment.

Teeth whitening treatments work wonders on stains caused by the things you eat, habits like smoking, and the aging process. Whitening treatments can be used to restore teeth to their original white color or to make them whiter than they have ever been.

Your teeth whitening consultation

Consulting with a dentist about your teeth whitening options typically starts with an examination of your mouth. A visual exam is conducted to detect signs of tooth decay and gum disease. X-rays and other diagnostic tools can be used to evaluate what is going on inside the patient’s teeth and underneath the gums.

Existing issues like damaged teeth increase the risk of complications developing after whitening treatments. Whitening already compromised teeth puts them at risk of being damaged by the treatments. It also increases the risk of the patient dealing with discomfort and pain after their treatment.

People with a healthy mouth rarely deal with any complications after whitening their teeth. The main side effect associated with teeth whitening is temporary increased teeth sensitivity that goes on for about two days.

Pre-teeth whitening

Depending on what the dentist notices during the patient’s evaluation, a plan will be crafted to prepare the patient’s mouth for whitening. Issues like tooth decay are treated with procedures like fillings, composite bonding, or restorations like crowns.

If the patient’s teeth are covered with tartar, teeth cleaning might be performed to increase the effectiveness of the patient’s whitening treatments. Tartar is calcified plaque and brushing cannot get it off teeth surfaces. It is removed during teeth cleanings using a tool called a scaler.

Removing tartar from teeth surfaces improves the appearance of teeth since tartar makes them appear yellow. It also makes it easier for the whitening product to remove stains from teeth surfaces.

The dentist will likely also make an impression of the patient’s teeth during their appointment. The impression is forwarded to a lab where it is made. The process takes around two weeks for the customized mouth tray to get back to the dentist. It helps to keep the patient’s teeth evenly coated with the whitening product during their treatment and prevents it from making contact and irritating soft tissues like the gums.