Professional Teeth Whitening in Austin, TX

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the teeth bleaching process work?

The teeth bleaching progress works through the use of carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. These two chemicals cover all areas of the truth and pass through the enamel of the tooth, breaking down the molecules in the tooth that cause discoloration.

How long do teeth whitening results last?

The results will vary from person to person, based on a variety of factors. These include the patient’s lifestyle habits as well as their diet.

Will teeth whitening cause sensitivity?

While teeth sensitivity is a common side effect of whitening, the effects will disappear shortly after the procedure is completed.

How does Ultradent Boost teeth whitening work?

Our team will let you know what types of food and drink you can have in the 48 hours leading up to your treatment. You will want to make sure that your new smile isn’t exposed to the same things that stained them in the first place.

An image is taken of the original color of your teeth, also known as the starting shade. This will help you and Dr. D’Alfonso see the results of the whitening treatment.

Dr. D’Alfonso will then place cheek retractors to help apply the gel evenly on your teeth. It’s important for the teeth to be dry before the procedure so a quick rinse and air drying will help prepare your teeth for the procedure.

A substance called OpalDam Green will then be applied to your teeth. This substance will be placed on your gums, around the base of your tooth, to protect your gums from the 40% hydrogen peroxide product, which may cause sensitivity.

Ultradent Boost gel will then be applied on each tooth and will be applied for a total of 20 minutes. Once complete, the gel will be suctioned off of your tooth and repeated at least one more time. Depending on the desired results, multiple applications might be required. Your teeth will be rinsed once the desired shade of white is achieved.

Finally, the OpalDam Green substance will be removed from your gums and a final inspection will be done to ensure that your teeth are your ideal shade of white. The entire process will take only 40 minutes, although certain cases might require a few more applications to reach the desired result.

What Are The After Care Steps?

When the process is done, our dental staff will cover your teeth with a special gel. This gel sits on your teeth for about five minutes. It works like a fluoride treatment and helps with most post-procedure sensitivity by protecting the enamel of your teeth.

After the procedure, your teeth may continue to whiten another shade during the next 24 hours. A good practice is to stay away from things that could stain your smile during the first 48 hours, including:

• Coffee
• Soda
• Tea
• Wine
• Smoking
• Pasta Sauce

If you experience any post-procedure sensitivity, an over the counter pain medication may help ease any discomfort. If sensitivity occurs, it usually doesn’t last more than about 24 hours. If you are still experiencing issues after this, call our office to speak to our knowledgeable team or schedule an appointment.

Why Does Teeth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?

Whitening systems use small bleach molecules that penetrate and diffuse into teeth. However, some whitening treatments can irritate the nerves of your teeth and leave them hypersensitive. Stimuli like temperatures and pressure can cause pulpitis on a tooth. Pulpitis means the pulp of your tooth is slightly irritated and inflamed.

For whitening to work, the procedure often gets rid of a protein layer that opens up the “pores” of your teeth. This exposes the core of the tooth, or the dentin. While this is necessary for teeth whitening to work, it can cause sensitivity.

What Can You Do to Prevent Sensitivity?

• Avoid brushing your teeth after whitening. This will further open up the pores of your teeth causing more exposure and sensitivity. If you need to wipe away whitening gel, use a wet washcloth.
• Always follow the directions on your whitening kit closely. Do not leave any treatment on for any longer than instructed.
• Compliment your whitening routine with a desensitizing gel.

Post-Whitening Maintenance

Do you want white teeth after an Ultradent Boost treatment, but can’t find the time to come back in for a dental appointment? Here are some dental care tips that you can use to get better teeth whitening results:

Whitening Toothpaste

Whitening toothpaste has special chemicals that provide deeper stain removal than most toothpaste. Teeth whitening toothpaste removes surface stains, but can’t treat stains that lie deeper. They can also make your teeth more sensitive.

Whitening Strips

Strips treat stains more than whitening toothpaste, but can also be messy and hard to apply. Usually, they need to be used twice a day for two weeks to remove stains. It can take a few months before you can see a difference.

Tray-based Whitening

This form of whitening uses a mouthguard with whitening gel. You put the tray in your mouth overnight or during the day for a few weeks.