Teeth Whitening in Highland Park
A brighter smile may be easier to achieve than you think. Professional teeth whitening at Sommerfeld Dentistry can help reduce stains and discoloration, giving your smile a fresher, brighter appearance. Our custom whitening treatment is designed to fit your teeth and help you achieve your desired shade with guidance from our dental team.
What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that helps lighten the appearance of stained or discolored teeth. Tooth discoloration can develop over time due to aging, food and drinks, tobacco use, or certain types of tooth damage.
At Sommerfeld Dentistry, we provide custom whitening trays and a professional bleaching agent to help brighten your smile. Our team can help you determine whether teeth whitening is an appropriate option for your teeth and dental health.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Our custom teeth whitening process is designed to be convenient and easy to incorporate into your routine.
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Create your custom whitening trays: We take impressions of your teeth to create clear, custom-fitted trays that hold the whitening gel against your teeth.
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Receive your whitening supplies: Your trays and professional whitening agent are typically ready for pickup in about a week.
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Whiten your teeth at home: Follow our instructions for applying the whitening agent and wearing your trays. Your recommended wear time will depend on the product and your individual treatment plan.
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Maintain your brighter smile: Once you reach your desired shade, occasional touch-up treatments may help maintain your results. Our team can recommend an appropriate maintenance schedule.
You can choose to whiten your upper teeth, lower teeth, or both, depending on your smile and treatment goals. We can also discuss your progress and help you determine whether additional whitening or another cosmetic treatment may be appropriate.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening offers several benefits for patients who want to improve the appearance of their smiles, including:
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Reduces visible stains: Helps lighten many types of yellow, brown, and surface staining.
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Provides a customized fit: Custom trays are made to fit your teeth and help hold the whitening agent in place.
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Offers at-home convenience: Complete your whitening treatment at home according to our instructions.
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Allows for maintenance: Periodic touch-ups may help you maintain your preferred shade.
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Supports a personalized approach: Our dental team can evaluate your teeth and recommend a treatment plan based on your goals.
Whitening results vary depending on the cause and severity of discoloration. Some stains respond better to whitening than others, and existing dental restorations may not change color with treatment.
Is Teeth Whitening Right for You?
Teeth whitening can be an effective option for many adults who want to brighten stained or yellowed teeth. However, it is important to evaluate your oral health and the cause of discoloration before beginning treatment.
Whitening may cause temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation, particularly if the whitening agent contacts the gums or is used more often than recommended. Custom trays and professional guidance can help you use whitening products appropriately.
Whitening products also do not change the color of existing crowns, fillings, or veneers. If you have visible restorations, we can discuss how whitening may affect the overall appearance of your smile.
For severe discoloration or changes in tooth color that do not respond well to whitening, other cosmetic options may be more suitable. Depending on your needs, we may recommend alternatives such as dental crowns or porcelain veneers.
Professional Teeth Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter Products
Whitening strips, gels, and other over-the-counter products are widely available, but they may not offer the same customized fit or professional guidance as treatment provided through a dental practice.
At Sommerfeld Dentistry, we can evaluate your teeth, help identify the cause of discoloration, and recommend a whitening approach suited to your needs. Following the recommended application instructions is important to reduce the risk of tooth sensitivity and gum irritation.
If you are considering whitening products, ask our team which options are appropriate for your smile and how to use them safely.
Brighten Your Smile at Sommerfeld Dentistry
If stained or discolored teeth are keeping you from feeling confident about your smile, professional teeth whitening may be worth considering. Sommerfeld Dentistry can help you explore your options and determine whether custom whitening trays are right for you.
Contact our office to discuss your smile goals and schedule an appointment. We look forward to helping you find the right approach to a brighter, healthier-looking smile.
