Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening can change everything
If you’re tired of living with dark, stained, or discolored teeth, tooth whitening could be the solution to rejuvenate your smile. Even the healthiest teeth can become stained by long-term exposure to darkly pigmented foods, metal dental fillings, or normal wear. Whitening provides the opportunity to restore your teeth to their original brilliance, brightening your smile and even taking years off your appearance.
How tooth whitening works
Our tooth whitening procedure is completely safe and non-toxic. We use a peroxide-based whitening gel to clean and brighten your teeth. The gel is applied to trays that hold it evenly against the tooth surface; as peroxide breaks down, it allows oxygen to enter tooth surfaces and whiten the enamel. Our whitening gel works without special lights or any other kind of activation, making it one of the most advanced and effective treatments for stains and discoloration of all kinds.
We also offer in-office whitening options if you are looking for an immediate solution to whitening discolored teeth.
Our whitening process works to lessen or erase stains caused by:
- Tannins and other pigments in tea, coffee, soft drinks, and red wine
- Dark-colored foods, such as berries
- Tobacco
- Certain medications
- Dental trauma
- Metal fillings
Teeth whitening options
There are dozens of over-the-counter tooth whitening options, but professional whitening is the safest, fastest, and most effective way to brighten your smile. We create custom-fitted trays for your teeth to ensure even, flawless results. And if your teeth are sensitive, we can carefully adjust the type and strength of our whitening ingredients to ensure a smooth and comfortable process.
The entire whitening process takes less than an hour in our offices.
Tooth Whitening Success Story
Jim Before
Jim After
Black Mountain Dentist FAQs
Is tooth whitening safe?
Whitening is widely considered a safe and effective treatment for discolored teeth. It doesn’t affect tooth structure or damage tooth enamel in any way.
Is there a reason I shouldn’t use a store-bought whitening kit?
In fact, there are several reasons that Dr. Mark Kleive discourages his patients from using store-bought whitening products.
The most important reason is fit: We custom-make whitening trays to fit your teeth, while a kit is designed to be “one size fits all” and tends to fit no one. A poorly fitted tray results in an uneven distribution of whitening gel, and each tooth may receive a different amount of whitening.
Kits also provide a single whitening dosage. We often adjust the strength of our whitening gel to accommodate patients with sensitive teeth, and provide desensitizing gel in case you experience any discomfort. For even, flawless whitening at the level you’re comfortable with, it’s best to consult a professional who can guide you toward the products and treatments that are the best fit for you.
Should I have my teeth whitened before or after fillings and other dental work?
If you’re planning to have porcelain fillings or other dental work in addition to whitening, Dr. Kleive will schedule your whitening first in order to match the color to your new, brighter smile.
Will teeth whitening work on dark or stained fillings?
No, whitening only affects tooth enamel. This process can remove stains around metal fillings, but it can’t clean or restore grey or stained ceramic fillings. Instead, you might want to consider removing old fillings and replacing them with new porcelain inlays and onlays.
Dr. Kleive also offers alternatives to whitening, such as porcelain veneers.
Could my teeth be resistant to whitening?
We’ve found that it’s usually possible to remove stains with whitening and polishing, but in the rare cases where the process is ineffective, porcelain veneers and dental bonding are a viable alternative to whiten stained or discolored teeth.
For more information about tooth whitening, please contact us today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Kleive’s and his team serve the Asheville, North Carolina area.