Teeth Whitening - Ann Arbor, MI

What’s the Fastest Way to Whiten Teeth?

The fastest treatment for teeth whitening in Ann Arbor is Opalescence Boost. This in-office procedure only takes about an hour, and it can whiten teeth by several shades. It uses an extremely strong, chemically activated gel to penetrate teeth and break up even stains that have been there for many years. One of the things we love about the Boost gel is that it contains a compound called PF, which will reduce your sensitivity after the procedure and even strengthen your teeth.

Here’s what you can expect during your treatment:

• We’ll cover your lips and gums so the bleaching gel won’t irritate them.
• We’ll apply the gel and leave it on your teeth for 10 – 15 minutes. We may stir it every five minutes or so to produce the maximum effect.
• After we remove the gel and rinse your teeth, we can apply it three or for more times, or until we achieve the desired results.

How Can I Maintain My Results?

You’re going to love your new smile, and you’ll want to do everything within your power to make your new glow last as long as possible. Maintaining your look is easy because the fee for your initial treatment (which is only $300) includes an at-home touch-up kit. Using special trays and a strong bleaching gel, you can use the kit to periodically remove new stains that might creep up on your teeth.

It’s important that you follow the instructions with your bleaching kit. Leaving the gel on your teeth for longer than recommended could cause your teeth to become overly sensitive. If your dentist provides you with the stronger bleaching gel (15 percent hydrogen peroxide), you should only leave it on your teeth for 15 – 20 minutes at a time. If you have the milder gel (10 percent hydrogen peroxide), it’s safe to leave it on your teeth for 30 – 60 minutes at a time.

Of course, there are ways beyond touch-up bleaching that can help you keep your smile nice and bright. Try to cut back on foods and drinks that might cause new stains, such as coffee and red wine. Also, use a whitening toothpaste daily to fight surface discoloration.

Is Boost Right for Me?

The Opalescence whitening system is safe for most patients, but it may not work for everyone. For example, if you have restorations on your front teeth (such as crowns or fillings), the bleaching gel won’t do anything to change their color. Also, if your teeth are prone to sensitivity, you might talk to your dentist about skipping the in-office treatment and using an at-home whitening kit instead.

Are you ready for a smile that is as bright as beautiful as your personality? Schedule your Boost consultation today!

Teeth Whitening FAQs

If you are considering teeth whitening, Dr. Dina Cocco invites you to review the following frequently asked questions. Patients who desire a whiter, brighter smile want results that will last and give them the aesthetics and confidence they deserve. With the help of cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening solutions, we believe we can help improve your smile and have you looking and feeling your best. But we also want to ensure you have all the information you need to make a well-informed decision, which is why we’ve compiled some teeth whitening FAQs. Should you have additional inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Why are professional teeth whitening treatments best?

When it comes to choosing how you plan to whiten your smile, you may be tempted to purchase an over-the-counter kit that promises quick results, whiter teeth, and a longer-lasting, brighter smile. Unfortunately, these products often make guarantees that fall short when it comes to delivering the kind of results you desire.

By choosing a professional to administer in-office teeth whitening, you can rest easy knowing that your teeth are in safe and capable hands. Professional teeth whitening offers:

• A safer alternative that ensures your oral tissues do not become irritated because of leaking, messy bleaching gel
• Brighter results because of the high-grade whitening gel used
• A more thorough treatment because of the multiple applications to help you reach desired results

Will dental insurance cover the cost?

Unfortunately, most dental insurance companies do not agree to cover the cost of teeth whitening. Because it is a cosmetic treatment, they do not consider it a “necessity.” However, it is best to review your policy and speak to a representative to make sure there is no possibility of coverage. If you still wish to whiten your smile using professional treatment, Dr. Cocco’s dental team will be happy to accept CareCredit, which is a third-party financier who offers low- and no-interest payment plans to help you get the treatment you need while staying within your budget.

How safe is teeth whitening?

While it is not uncommon to experience some tooth sensitivity after undergoing teeth whitening treatment, research shows that the general practice of whitening your smile is completely safe and effective. When administered by a skilled cosmetic dentist either in-house or using at-home kits, the likelihood for problems to occur significantly lessens; however, you should make sure you are following all the necessary instructions and steps provided to you to ensure you do not overuse, as this can lead to serious problems for your teeth and gums.

Can teeth whitening be combined with other cosmetic treatments?

Yes! If necessary, your dentist may recommend teeth whitening in combination with another form of cosmetic dentistry (i.e. porcelain veneers). Oftentimes, if a patient chooses to receive veneers on certain teeth, a special whitening procedure can help to create a smile that is uniform in color and offers a more even aesthetic.

Although it is typically used as a stand-alone treatment, you can talk to Dr. Cocco about the possibility of combining it with another cosmetic service for greater results.