Restore Your Brilliant White Smile
A beautiful white smile looks great on everyone—it’s one of the first things you’ll notice about someone’s appearance. Over time, it’s normal for teeth to become yellowed with age or stained by the food and drinks we consume. Because teeth are porous, they absorb the materials they come in contact with and develop stains.
If your teeth have become discolored, you could be a candidate for professional teeth whitening at Maniscalco Cosmetic & General Dentistry in Birmingham. Dr. Maniscalco will evaluate your smile to determine which of our bleaching products will best suit your needs. If you’re interested in brightening your smile with teeth whitening, continue reading to learn more.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Most patients who opt for a teeth whitening treatment do so because they are unhappy with their smile. A yellowed or stained smile can make you feel self-conscious and diminish your youthful appearance. A whiter smile will help you embody health and keep you looking your best.
Our professional whitening treatments in Birmingham will give you a smile you’ll love to show the world! By simply whitening your teeth, you can shave years off your appearance. You’ll feel encouraged to maintain your glamorous white smile by regularly brushing and flossing your teeth and coming in consistently for dental checkups.
Who Is a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Most people who have a relatively healthy set of teeth will be able to have their teeth whitened with a cosmetic dentistry procedure. If habits like drinking a lot of coffee or smoking are contributing to discoloration, it’s a good idea to change the behaviors in addition to the whitening procedure.
If you have chronically sensitive teeth, you may not be a good candidate for all whitening treatment options. In addition, oral cancer or periodontal disease can make you ineligible for the teeth whitening process. Finally, enamel that has been severely damaged or worn away may make the teeth whitening procedures inadvisable.
It’s important to treat conditions like cavities and gum disease before a tooth whitening procedure. You can talk with your dentist in Birmingham about what restorative care is necessary before getting your teeth whitened.
Professional Teeth Whitening
At Maniscalco Cosmetic & General Dentistry, we use two different professional whitening products— Lumibrite® and KöR® Deep Bleach.
Dr. Maniscalco will determine which option is right for you after your tooth whitening consultation. Each product works a bit differently but will give you the same brilliantly white results. Your preference of whitening in our office or at home will help us guide you to the right choice.
Lumibrite®
Lumibrite is another powerful whitening solution we offer for in-house treatment.
If tooth sensitivity has been an issue, Lumibrite could be the best whitening treatment for your smile. This procedure can be completed in our Birmingham dental office with an activating light or with a take-home kit. It’s really up to you!
KöR® Deep Bleach
KöR differs from Lumibrite because it doesn’t require a light to activate the whitening solution. The KöR treatment involves a custom-made whitening tray that keeps out saliva during your treatment.
This means that the bleaching can proceed uninterrupted, giving you the best results possible. We offer both an in-office and take-home kit for this deep bleaching method, whichever works best for your lifestyle!
Frequently Asked Questions
How does teeth whitening work?
The active ingredient in teeth whitening preparations is a peroxide-based bleaching agent. These are able to penetrate the surface of your teeth and dissolve the bonds of stains and blemishes, evaporating away after your treatment is complete.
Will teeth whitening work on badly stained teeth?
Usually, teeth whitening will improve the appearance of badly stained teeth. With severe staining, you may not get perfectly white teeth, but you will still notice several degrees of improvement.
Can teeth whitening harm my teeth?
No, teeth whitening is perfectly safe. It will not weaken your teeth or enamel.
Is teeth whitening painful?
Teeth whitening is not painful, and most of the time will not even cause any discomfort. However, some people do have unusually sensitive teeth. If this is the case, then your dentist can recommend a type of whitening treatment that is specially formulated for sensitive teeth.
Some people find that their teeth are a bit sensitive following treatment. This is normal and can be treated with a toothpaste formulated for dental sensitivity.
How long do whitening treatments last?
The length of time that your treatment lasts will depend on your dental hygiene habits and the types of foods you eat. To make your teeth whitening solution last as long as possible, we recommend brushing and flossing regularly and coming in for a professional cleaning every 6 months. If you also steer clear of tooth staining foods and drinks, you can expect your results to last you for a year or more. You can always visit us for a touch-up if you notice that your smile is becoming discolored or stained again.