Utah Teeth Whitening FAQs

Serving Utah In Salt Lake City And Surrounding Areas

Is professional teeth whitening right for me?

One of the most common cosmetic problems people come to us for is dull, discolored, and stained teeth which are having an aging effect on their appearance.

This problem is simple to correct. Dr. Austin offers a variety of whitening options, including BriteSmile and Zoom! procedures. These are in-office procedures, but if you’d prefer, we’ll give you a take-home kit and show you how you can do it for yourself.

In either scenario, you’ll be using professional-strength whitening gel, which is stronger and more effective than any over-the-counter whitening gels. You’ll also have custom-made trays which will fit, whereas store-bought trays might or might not fit. Loose or ill-fitting trays will sabotage the process because our teeth only whiten while they’re in contact with the whitening gel.

How does teeth whitening work?

If you’re using an at-home kit, the whitening agent in the gel is activated when it’s squeezed into the trays because it’s mixed with a second ingredient. It then bleaches the tooth enamel, removing stains and general yellowing, restoring your natural tooth color.

If you have the in-office procedure, the whitening agent is activated and speeded up by the special curing light. In both cases, your original tooth color is revealed, giving you a younger and fresher appearance.

What types of tooth whitening options are available?

We offer two general categories of tooth whitening procedures:

At-home tooth whitening kits to use in the comfort of your own home over the course of ten days to two weeks; and
In-office teeth whitening procedures, which are completed in an office visit of about 90 minutes.

What about over the counter whitening kits?

Over the counter teeth whitening kits have two primary drawbacks.

First, the kits are not available in prescription strength, so the whitening effect is not as dramatic as that of professional whitening.
Second, the kits are designed as one-size-fits-all solutions. The dental trays won’t necessarily fit your mouth, and can even be uncomfortable or painful, causing damage to the gums, lips, and other soft tissues of the mouth. If they don’t fit snugly, the gel won’t be in even and close contact with your teeth, which will give patchy and disappointing results.

How soon will I see results?

Depending on the option you choose for tooth whitening, your tooth whitening may take place in a single hour-long office treatment, or in ten days to two weeks done at home.

For fastest results, we recommend our in-office treatments, which are rapidly activated with a bright, calibrated light to achieve the quickest, most dramatic results. We offer both the BriteSmile and the Zoom! teeth whitening systems.
If you prefer, we also offer customized, prescription strength at home whitening kits that you administer yourself, over a period of about ten days to two weeks.

How do I best care for my newly whitened teeth?

To prolong the results of your tooth whitening, we recommend cutting down on staining substances such as coffee, tea, tobacco, and red wine.

Can I have my teeth whitened again?

Yes. You can have additional teeth whitening if your teeth become dull and stained. If you used an at-home kit, you’ll likely have some extra gel that you can use for touch-ups at any time.

Is there pain?

Depending on the procedure you opt for, you may experience some slight discomfort from wearing the trays or from the retractor placed on the mouth to pull back the lips from the teeth. This discomfort, however, should be minimal.

Following the procedure, you may also experience some tooth sensitivity, and cold food and drink may cause very slight tooth pain. But this will subside within a day or two after your treatment.

Procedures