At Amberwood Dental Centre, our dentists offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening options to help our Newmarket patients brighten their smiles.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a safe, effective way to remove stains and lighten the colour of your teeth.
As we age, teeth become more vulnerable to staining from food and other substances. Particles are naturally attracted to a tooth's enamel, and certain products like coffee, tea, berries and tobacco are notorious for staining teeth.
The teeth whitening process uses bleaching agents that are designed to reverse these effects of aging and staining, resulting in a lightening of the colour of your teeth.
Professional Teeth Whitening in Newmarket
Teeth whitening uses peroxide-based bleaching agents. As the active ingredient breaks down, oxygen acts on the tooth enamel and creates the whitening effect.
In-Office Teeth Whitening in Newmarket
In-office teeth whitening takes about two hours at Amberwood Dental Centre. A barrier is applied around your gums to protect them, and then a thin layer of gel is applied and chemically activated on each tooth. This process is repeated a few times until the desired shade of white is achieved.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening in Newmarket
At Amberwood Dental Centre, we offer at-home whitening options so that you can whiten your teeth in the comfort and convenience of your home. We create custom whitening trays specifically for your smile. Your dentist will also provide you with thorough instructions to follow during your at-home whitening treatments.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about teeth whitening at Amberwood Dental Centre.
- How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening is not a permanent solution to whiten your smile.
If your teeth are continually exposed to foods and drinks that cause staining, you will likely begin to see the whiteness fade after a few months.
If you avoid these foods and drinks after your teeth whitening treatment, you might only need a touch up after a year or so.
- Does teeth whitening make teeth more sensitive?
Sensitivity is a short-term side effect to teeth whitening treatments. For most patients, sensitivity fades away within a few days after a whitening session.
To minimize any discomfort, we recommend that you use an anti-sensitivity toothpaste before your treatment and for at least two weeks following your treatment.
- Do teeth whitening products work on all stains?
Brown and yellow-coloured stains respond the best to teeth whitening treatments.
Grey, blue and purple-coloured stains tend to not respond to whitening at all. For teeth with these types of stains, patients may be better candidates for cosmetic treatments, such as dental crowns or veneers.
- Does teeth whitening work on dental restorations?
Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth. It will not work on existing dental restorations such as veneers or dental crowns.
If veneers or crowns are part of your treatment plan, teeth whitening should take place before you receive any dental restorations.
- Will teeth whitening damage my tooth enamel?
When used under the supervision of a qualified dentist, it is very unlikely that teeth whitening will damage your dental enamel.
Always consult with your dentist to ensure that you are safely using any teeth whitening products.
- Does insurance cover the cost of teeth whitening?
Dental insurance does not usually cover the cost of teeth whitening as it is a purely cosmetic procedure with no health benefits for your teeth.