Everything you need to know about your professional teeth whitening options in Nanaimo, BC.
Dr. Nadia Stymiest and the Nanaimo Smiles team are proud to offer professional grade, at-home teeth whitening in Nanaimo, BC. Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure that can improve the brightness of your smile and boost your confidence. However, some may be concerned about any potential negative effects whitening has on their teeth.
In this article, we will discuss the effectiveness and safety of at-home professional whitening using iTero custom trays, as offered by Dr. Nadia Stymiest in Nanaimo, BC. If you have any additional questions or would like to start your teeth whitening journey, click here to get started with our team.
What is iTero and what does it have to do with teeth whitening?
At-home professional whitening with iTero custom trays is also highly effective in achieving a brighter, more attractive smile. The iTero 3D scanner takes a digital impression of your smile without the need of sticky traditional impressions. This allows our team to provide you with an extremely accurate whitening tray that enables the whitening solution to get into every nook and cranny, which are often the areas that need whitening the most. This iTero technology is the same that is used for Invisalign and greeting mouthguards.
How does teeth whitening actually work?
While teeth whitening solutions vary slightly, they typically contain two active ingredients: hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These active ingredients penetrate the surface of the tooth and break down the molecules that cause discoloration. This means years of accumulating stains from drinking coffee, wine and other high-tannin consumables can be removed through the process.
Hydrogen peroxide is the stronger of the two active ingredients. It is a bleaching agent that breaks down into oxygen and water when it comes into contact with the tooth. The oxygen enters the tooth enamel and dentin, breaking down the molecules that cause discoloration. This process is known as oxidation and it is what whitens the teeth.
Carbamide peroxide is a slower acting ingredient, yet still very effective. It is a combination of hydrogen peroxide and urea. When it comes into contact with the tooth, it breaks down into hydrogen peroxide, which then whitens the teeth in the same way as hydrogen peroxide alone.
Both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide work by breaking down the molecules that cause discoloration, leaving the teeth several shades brighter. However, the concentration of these ingredients can vary depending on the product. The higher the concentration, the stronger the bleaching effect will be. It’s important to follow the instructions provided by your dentist and use the product as directed in order to minimize any potential risks or side effects.
Applying the formula into the bottom of your custom trays allows the gel to evenly spread upon wearing them, without spreading to the gums. It is recommended to floss and brush your teeth prior to each at-home whitening session, Prior to beginning your two week journey towards a smile up to eight shades whiter, it is highly recommended to book a professional cleaning and checkup. This will allow our team to polish away surface stains and prep the teeth to react most effectively with the whitening formula.
How long does professional teeth whitening take?
The length of your teeth whitening treatment will vary depending on the specific whitening formula used. The whitening formula we use and trust Nanaimo Smiles recommends a two week plan, wearing your aligners for 30 to 60 minutes daily. Your treatment plan can be adjusted to be longer (until you’re happy with the new shade of your smile), if needed. The trays should be worn consistently for a certain period of time (typically two weeks) in order for the brighter results to last a significant amount of time. Dr. Stymiest and Dr. Bligh will provide more specific instructions upon starting your treatment. If tooth or gum sensitivity occurs while using the trays, stop use and consult with your Nanaimo dentist.
Is teeth whitening safe?
There is a common misconception that teeth whitening isn’t safe. This derives from old practices that used harsh substances to brighten the teeth and were known to cause damage to the gums and enamel in the process. Today, whitening solutions are far more advanced and certified safe to use under the direction of a professional dentist.
Like any substance, the hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide used in teeth whitening, can be dangerous if misused or overused. Because professional teeth whitening formulas contain a high concentration of these ingredients, irritation to the gums, soft tissues of the mouth, and tooth sensitivity can occur. It is extremely important to listen to the advice and recommendations of your dentist for safe, effective teeth whitening.
How does professional grade, at-home teeth whitening differ from over-the-counter options?
When you can pick up a box of whitening strips claiming to remove 10 years of stains, why choose professional, custom trays? While boxed whitening options can be effective, using them can have several cons:
- The formula of over-the-counter teeth whitening options is often far less concentrated than at-home professional kits that dentists are able to offer
- Strips do not brighten the actual colour of your teeth, they only target the surface stains
- Strips tend to only cover the first six or so teeth, leaving the rest of your smile untouched
- Over-the-counter options often slip, causing areas of your smile to not be whitened and causing the gel slip onto, and possibly irritate, the gums
- Whitening kits can become dangerous if instructions aren’t followed properly
Nanaimo Smile’s at-home, professional teeth whitening treatments offer you peace of mind that your dentist is looking after your whitening success. Being customized to fit your teeth, your aligners ensure that the whitening gel is applied evenly and minimize the risk of damage or sensitivity.
Teeth Whitening in Nanaimo, BC
To begin your teeth whitening treatment at Nanaimo Smiles, contact our team. Dr. Nadia Stymiest are both currently accepting new patients of all ages—including those simply looking to brighten their smile a few shades! We look forward to seeing your smile in our new office space located at 2700 Norwell Dr, Unit 101, Nanaimo, BC.