People with stained or yellow teeth are good candidates for a whitening procedure. The yellowing may be due to smoking, tobacco use, or years of drinking liquids that cause stains. If the outer layer of your teeth is stained, then you will notice a significant improvement by having them whitened.

Adults who have no cavities and are free of gum disease are also good candidates. Generally, teenagers are too young to be good candidates, and older people are too old. Although there is no proof that pregnant women shouldn’t have their teeth whitened, it’s a good idea to wait until you give birth before carrying out the procedure.

Stained or Discolored Teeth: Over time, after years of smoking, drinking coffee, tea, or wine, your teeth may have taken on a yellow tint. This kind of discoloration may leave you feeling unhappy with the appearance of your teeth. With one session, cosmetic dentists can remove this discolored layer.

Want a Better Smile: If you plan on getting veneers or even dental bonding, the new restorations may not quite match your teeth. In cases like these, it can be a good idea to whiten your teeth first.

Need to Boost Your Self-Confidence: If you’re having difficulty smiling in social settings or even for the camera, having your teeth whitened may boost your self-confidence.

Career Reasons: In some professions, personal appearance is very important, such as customer service, public speaking, and acting. If you feel having a whiter smile will help with your career, then you may want to whiten your teeth.

Special Occasions: Many individuals whiten their teeth to look good for a special occasion. This may be for a wedding, a job interview, a graduation, or an important get-together. One reason why it’s a great idea for a special occasion is that you’ll get quick results. In one session, you can see an improvement in the color of your teeth.

When you choose to whiten your teeth, you will see immediate benefits. Some of these include:

Developed by the dental brand Philips, Philips Zoom! Whitening offers an LED-light accelerating technology that acts in conjunction with the whitening gel. The light enhances the gel’s whitening effects so that it penetrates deeper into your enamel. Calcium Phosphate (ACP) then provides enamel protection.

The Philips Zoom! Whitening stands out because the light reaches all your teeth at the same time rather than just the front teeth, which often happens when you use the gel alone. It also gives quick results, and you can see the results you want in just one session.

Looking to get Zoom whitening in Vancouver WA? Here is what to expect when you choose Zoom.

Dental Consultation: The first step in the procedure will be an initial consultation with our cosmetic dentist in Vancouver WA. You will have your teeth examined and the dental office will determine if you are the right candidate for the Zoom treatment.

Step 1:  Dental Cleaning
Before the procedure, you will have a thorough dental cleaning to remove any tartar, plaque, and surface stains.

Step 2:  Baseline Shade
The cosmetic dentist will take a shade assessment of your teeth. This will be used as the baseline color and as a point of reference for before/after results.

Step 3:  Protection for Gums/Lips
Before the whitening gel is applied to your teeth and gums, a protective barrier will be put over your lips and gums. This helps reduce irritation in those areas.

Step 4:  Whitening Gel
The Zoom whitening gel will then be applied to your teeth, and the LED light technology will help speed up the whitening process. Throughout the process, you will be monitored to ensure there are no complications.

Step 5:  Follow-up/Maintenance: After the Zoom teeth whitening procedure, there will be a follow-up appointment to see how the results look over time. Our dental office will provide custom trays and a refill whitening syringe every six months to ensure your teeth remain white for years.

There are quite a few important differences between professional versus store-bought whitening products. Here are some:

Effectiveness
When you get your teeth whitened in a professional dentist’s office, you will notice more effective results compared to store-bought products. Professional treatments typically can lighten by more shades, too, compared to store-bought products.

Safety
Getting your teeth whitened in a dental office means a cosmetic dentist will supervise the procedure. The dental team can provide safety tips and identify any potential issues. With a store-bought product, however, you may not be able to identify when there are complications. This lack of supervision and guidance can result in damage to your teeth.

Customization
When you receive a professional whitening procedure, dentists can adjust the strength to your needs and your sensitivity. Store-bought products don’t offer this kind of personalized approach.

Quality and Reliability
Store-bought products are relatively cheap, for a reason. They don’t offer the same level of quality as a procedure done by a professional. They are also not as reliable, and the results may be inconsistent. Whitening products for teeth do not need approval from the FDA as they are considered “cosmetic.” For this reason, you may not know what you’re paying for when you buy a store-bought whitening product.

Comprehensive Treatment: When you get your teeth whitened in a dental office, a professional will walk you through each step. This comprehensive treatment not only ensures a good outcome, but it also exposes any underlying dental issues you may have (such as gum disease or cavities).

Choosing between an over-the-counter whitening kit versus a professional procedure will depend on what your needs are and what you can afford. Over-the-counter kits are very affordable, but you may not get the results you’re looking for. While professional whitening procedures are costlier, the treatment is customized to your needs. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what you feel most comfortable doing, however.

When you’re considering teeth whitening in Vancouver WA, make an appointment with our cosmetic dentist at Ranieu Family Dental. Our office can also provide other cosmetic dental services like Invisalign treatment, veneers, and retainers. Contact Ranieu Family Dental to find out how we can help boost your smile!

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