Teeth Whitening
Dentist Grand Junction
 Many people want to brighten their smiles but aren't sure how it works. Fortunately, the process is easy. Drop by our office to pick up some trays of whitening gel, or buy your kit for use at home. Toothpaste, mouthwashes, trays, pens, and strips are among the available options for tooth whitening products. However, the whitening materials we use in our office are more powerful.
Pre-Whitening Treatments
If you have certain dental problems, we may need to treat them before we can start the whitening process. For example, if your gums have receded, then exposed roots can become discolored, and whitening won't fix them. Whitening can also make your teeth more sensitive if you have receding gums or tooth decay.
We will also need to treat any cavities you have before we start whitening. The whitening can go through the decaying areas and penetrate the tooth's inner parts. Also, if you have any dental veneers or dental crowns, whitening won't work on them.
The Teeth Whitening Procedure
The two primary kinds of whitening procedures are vital whitening and non-vital whitening. We use vital whitening when your teeth have live nerves. Non-vital whitening is used on teeth that have undergone root canal treatment.
Vital Teeth Whitening
Most commonly, vital whitening involves a gel containing hydrogen peroxide that we apply to the tooth's surface. The process usually takes between one and three appointments that both range from 30 to 90 minutes. However, this can vary depending on which method we use, how discolored your teeth are, and how white you want your teeth. Also, different kinds of stains will react to the same treatment in different ways.
We begin the process by applying a substance to cover and protect the gums surrounding your teeth. Then we place the whitening agent on your teeth. Some of the whitening agents we use are activated by a special light, laser or by the heat from these lights, which speeds up the bleaching. If your teeth are severely discolored, Dr. Gregory J. Gorman, DMD may recommend that you continue bleaching your teeth at home for a few days or weeks.
Teeth Whitening At Home
A variety of over-the-counter whitening products are available for at home use. Dr. Gregory J. Gorman, DMD can also prepare trays of whitening gel for you to use at home. Ask us if you're interested in this option. Most whitening gels require you to put them on every day for 2 to 3 weeks. Follow the instructions carefully, or you may cause damage to your mouth and teeth.
Sensitivity Following Treatment
Sometimes your teeth can feel sensitive following a whitening treatment. If you experience sensitivity, you should stop the whitening treatments for a while to allow your teeth to rest. You can also use a sensitivity toothpaste to treat this problem. These toothpastes are made with potassium nitrate and other ingredients that provide pain relief. Chewing gum also helps distract you from the pain, and you also produce more saliva when you chew.
Zoom Teeth Whitening
Dr. Gregory J. Gorman, DMD offers Zoom in-office whitening. When you choose in-office tooth whitening, stronger whitening ingredients are used to safely complete your treatment. The result? Instantly brighter teeth, with little to no sensitivity.
For more information, please contact our office at (970) 812-3959. |
Hours
(970) 812-3959 
Dr. Gregory J. Gorman, DMD