Questions About Teeth Whitening
How does tooth whitening work?
We use a peroxide-based gel to whiten your teeth. As the peroxide breaks down, oxygen enters the teeth, making them whiter. Our in-office treatment uses a special gel that doesn't require a special light for activation. This type of gel offers more dramatic results. The take-home kits use a similar type of gel but with a lower concentration of active ingredient.
Is there any reason not to use a store-bought kit?
Yes. Dr. Kleive will have custom trays made for you that perfectly fit your teeth. A store-bought kit has generic trays which will almost certainly not fit you. That will put the whitening gel in uneven contact with your teeth and give you uneven results. Our customized kits will give even coverage.
You will be working under Dr. Kleive's guidance and will have the full support of his team to answer any questions you may have. We will show you how best to use the kit and give you one with the gel strength you prefer.
Whitening gel can be mild, moderate, or strong and if your teeth are relatively sensitive you might want to choose the moderate or mild strength. If you want the quickest and most dramatic results you can choose the strongest gel. The drugstore kits have weaker gel and give less dramatic results.
With our customized kits, you will have a supply of desensitizing gel in case you find that the whitening agent is making your teeth become sensitive.
Will tooth whitening bleach my dark or discolored fillings?
No, tooth whitening will work only on tooth enamel. If you have gray or discolored metal fillings, Dr. Kleive can replace them with beautiful porcelain inlays or onlays.
He may recommend whitening before your have your fillings replaced so that your new fillings can be matched to the color of your teeth after whitening.
Is tooth whitening safe?
Yes. Whitening will not alter the structure of your teeth or damage your tooth enamel. It is a safe and non-invasive solution for discolored teeth.
Could my teeth be resistant to whitening?
There are many causes of discoloration and some can make your teeth resistant to whitening. But that does not mean you have to live with stained or discolored teeth.
In some cases polishing can remove a stubborn stain. If your teeth are stained on the inside, as can be caused by certain medications such as tetracycline, Dr. Kleive may recommend porcelain veneers or dental bonding to cover the stains.
You can have dazzling, healthy-looking teeth. If you still have questions about tooth whitening or think that you are ready to get started please contact us today to schedule your initial consultation. Dr. Kleive serves the St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota area, and your consultation is free.
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