Teeth Whitening Candidates

Of all the cosmetic dentistry options available, teeth whitening is one with many benefits and few risks. However, there are several factors, including an individual's dental health, lifestyle, and cosmetic goals, that can make teeth whitening more or less appropriate. If you are interested in teeth whitening, consider the following questions to determine if bleaching is the best smile makeover option for you.

What are your cosmetic goals?

If you are looking for an easy way to brighten your smile and remove stains, teeth whitening may be right for you. However, individuals who want their smile to look completely different may want to consider a more dramatic treatment or combination of treatments. For example, the teeth can be reshaped with dental bonding and other techniques; realigned with braces or Invisalign®; or completely covered with porcelain veneers. Other treatments, such as cosmetic gum contouring, tooth-colored fillings, and porcelain inlays and onlays, are also available to correct other aesthetic and functional flaws.

What are your expectations?

The ideal teeth whitening candidate has expectations that correspond with the scope of the treatment. You may want to consider another treatment if you would like results that are:

• Completely predictable. You should be aware that one of the risks of teeth whitening is that the results are not 100 percent predicable.  The results are unique to each patient.
• Instant.  While teeth whitening typically provides relatively quick results (about an hour with in-office whitening, and a week or two with at-home whitening), it is possible that more than one treatment may be necessary to completely bleach the teeth.
• Permanent.  The results of teeth whitening may fade over time, especially if a person smokes or drinks a lot of coffee, tea, or red wine.

Do you have sensitive gums?

While most teeth whitening systems minimize gum sensitivity, a person who normally has sensitive gums is more likely to experience irritation during or after professional bleaching.

Find a Dentist Offering Teeth Whitening near You

If you are interested in transforming your smile with professional bleaching, locate a dentist offering teeth whitening in your area. A dentist can help determine your candidacy for the treatment. DocShop links people to talented cosmetic dentists who can help them achieve beautiful, natural-looking smiles.