Teeth Whitening In Burnaby, BC

At Smile Dental, we offer two types of tooth whitening: in-office ZOOM whitening and take-home whitening trays.

Whitening can effectively lighten the colour of your teeth and reduce discoloration caused by:

• Aging
• Smoking
• Red wine
• Coffee and tea
• Cola and other dark-colored drinks
• Fluorosis
• Certain medications that cause intrinsic tooth discoloration

Yellow teeth generally respond more easily to whitening than gray teeth. Gray discoloration may require a longer treatment period, but patience can lead to an improved result.

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

All whitening solutions, whether over-the-counter, at-home, or provided in a dental office, contain some form of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide has been used in medicine for many years and is considered safe when used appropriately.

The main difference between whitening products is their concentration and the amount of time the solution remains in contact with the teeth. Higher concentrations, such as those available from your dentist in Burnaby, BC, combined with an appropriate contact time, can provide a more noticeable result in a shorter period.

What Teeth Whitening Does Not Change

Teeth whitening changes the colour of natural tooth structure, but it does not change the color of existing dental restorations.

If you have visible:

• Fillings
• Crowns
• Veneers

These restorations will not become lighter through whitening. If you are planning to have anterior dental work completed and would like a brighter smile, we recommend completing your whitening treatment first. This allows us to match the colour of your new restorations to your newly whitened teeth.

Which Whitening System Is Best for You?

The best whitening option depends on several factors, including:

• How quickly you want results
• Your level of day-to-day tooth sensitivity
• Whether you have jaw problems or difficulty keeping your mouth open for an extended period
• Your budget, as in-office whitening is slightly more expensive

The amount of whitening you achieve can vary from person to person. Results depend on the type of discoloration, the starting shade of your teeth, and individual habits.

In-Office Whitening (ZOOM)

ZOOM in-office whitening can provide a whiter, brighter smile in a single appointment. You can expect to spend approximately two hours in our office during the procedure.

What to Expect During ZOOM Whitening

First, we polish your teeth to remove external stains. We then carefully isolate the teeth and protect the surrounding gum tissue using a plastic barrier, cotton, cheek retractors, and other protective materials.

Once the teeth are properly isolated:

• We apply the whitening solution to your teeth.
• The solution is activated using the ZOOM light.
• After a set period, the solution is removed and reapplied.
• This process is repeated as needed, with approximately three applications being typical.
• Once the whitening sequence is complete, we remove the protective barriers and rehydrate the surrounding tissues.

The number of applications can vary depending on the individual and their desired result.

Take-Home Whitening Trays

Take-home whitening is a flexible option for patients who prefer to whiten their teeth at home. We take impressions of your teeth and use them to create custom-fitted whitening trays.

The trays help keep the whitening solution against the teeth while minimizing contact with the gum tissue. They are made from clear, thin plastic, allowing you to comfortably talk while wearing them.

How to Use Take-Home Whitening Trays

Typically, patients use the trays for approximately 30 minutes per day. If you want to whiten your teeth more quickly, the trays may be used more frequently as directed.

To use your trays:

• Clean the tray with water and a toothbrush.
• Apply the whitening gel to the tray.
• Place the tray over your teeth.
• Wear it for approximately 30 minutes.
• Clean the tray after use.

The whitening solution is generally used up after approximately 30 minutes. If you forget to remove the tray immediately, this should not cause harm.

Most people use their trays for approximately 7–10 days to achieve their desired result.

A Flexible Whitening Option

Take-home trays are ideal for patients who want a more flexible approach to teeth whitening in Burnaby.

Another benefit is that you can give extra attention to an individual tooth that is darker than the surrounding teeth. A small amount of whitening solution can be applied to that specific area of the tray to provide additional whitening where needed.

Whitening Touch-Ups

Over time, you may want to touch up your whitening results. If you still have your custom trays, you can simply return to our office for additional whitening gel.

With your trays and fresh whitening solution, you can maintain your brighter smile with a touch-up treatment over the following few days.

Tooth Sensitivity and Teeth Whitening

The most common side effect associated with teeth whitening is temporary tooth sensitivity.

If you already experience significant day-to-day sensitivity or have exposed tooth roots, we may recommend using a desensitizing agent before and after whitening.

For in-office whitening, we can carefully isolate sensitive areas to help protect them during the procedure.

For take-home whitening, our team will show you how to correctly apply the whitening solution to your trays to help minimize unnecessary contact with sensitive areas.

Another option is to place the desensitizing agent in your whitening trays and wear them on alternate days to help reduce overall sensitivity.

Get a Brighter Smile at Smile Dental

Whether you prefer the speed of in-office ZOOM whitening or the flexibility of custom take-home whitening trays, our team can help you choose the option that best suits your needs.

If you’re considering teeth whitening in Burnaby, contact Smile Dental to discuss your options and take the next step toward a brighter smile.