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Stained, yellowed teeth can add years to a person's appearance. Luckily, if you are looking to simply whiten your smile, you're in luck, as teeth whitening is one of the most commonly performed cosmetic treatments requested by patients today. Tooth whitening from a dental professional is one of the quickest and most cost-effective cosmetic procedures available to improve the look of your teeth. Lumibrite in-office whitening is a relatively new option offered by your dentist, and is a gentle, safe and effective professional whitening method. Whitening Performed at Home When used as directed, dentist-dispensed whitening trays and strips can produce dramatically whiter teeth over the course of treatment. The key reason to at-home whitening's success is its continual use and the fact that only small amounts of bleach remain within the tooth structure for up to 36 hours. When a new dose of bleach is applied to a tooth that is retaining the previous day's peroxide, the effect is greater. Even though you can get over-the-counter whiteners without a dentist's recommendation, if you over-use them or use them incorrectly, they can harm your tooth enamel and irritate your gum tissue. Over-bleaching can also produce an undesirable bluish hue, chalky whiteness, or uneven results. Supervision by your dentist can help prevent these problems. Teeth whitening results are subjective, varying considerably from person to person. In-office Whitening Procedure with Lumibrite The Lumibrite whitening gels are available in concentrations of 16, 22 and 32 percent hydrogen peroxide and come in a variety of mint and fruit flavors. Similar to other in-office whitening procedures, Lumibrite takes approximately one hour or less to complete, depending on the degree of your tooth discoloration and desired whitening results. Prior to the Lumibrite procedure, prophylaxis is required in order to remove plaque or calculus. Once your teeth are cleaned and properly prepared for the procedure, your current tooth shade is recorded, your lips and gums are isolated, and lip moisturizer is applied, your dentist can begin treatment. Your dentist will first apply Lumibrite desensitizing enhancer, allowing it to set for one minute. Next, Lumibrite whitening gel is applied to the facial surface of your teeth and light cured. After 30 minutes, the gel will be removed and your teeth rinsed. If your desired shade is achieved after this 30 minute session, there is no need for another application, but if further whitening is needed, your dentist will perform another whitening session on your teeth. Taking Care of Your New Smile
In order to help maintain the brightness of your newly whitened smile, you should avoid drinking red wine, dark sodas, coffee or tea. In addition, you should avoid eating red sauces, mustard, ketchup, and soy sauce, as well as using tobacco products. The repeated use of any of these can stain your teeth and diminish the effects of Lumibrite. Additionally, it is important to maintain proper oral hygiene to prevent stains from reforming, as well as regular visits to your dentist for teeth cleanings. Before beginning any whitening process, whether it is in-office Lumibrite or at-home whitening kits, consult your Kansas City cosmetic dentist for a realistic idea of the results you are likely to achieve and how long it should take to achieve them. Your expectations play a significant role in the teeth whitening process.
Sean Hartmen writes for Dr. Gregory Stiver, a leading Kansas City dentist. Offering a wide array of services including bonding, cosmetic fillings, veneers, whitening and oral surgery in Kansas City, Dental Care Center of South KC is a general dentistry practice.
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