2017 is closing in on us quickly and that means New Year’s Resolutions are in the making. Rarely would our Rock Hill dentist be the first place that one thinks of when starting to brainstorm a resolution, but we do find that our teeth whitening services come to mind for some. We know it sounds odd at first, but teeth whitening is a service that many people consider for years and most still don’t pull the trigger on. Some surveys have revealed that approximately 80% of Americans between the age of 18-49 want a whiter smile. We also know that over the counter teeth whitening products represent a 1.4 billion dollar business. So it is pretty safe to assume that some of you reading this may be wishing for a whiter smile in 2017. In light of this assumption, below we will share with you a few things you will want to know about our teeth whitening services.
Professional vs Over-the-Counter Options
If you haven’t yourself, I’m sure a close friend or family member you know has invested in an over-the-counter teeth whitening kit. There are countless options available and they vary significantly in quality, cost and difficulty to use. The biggest differences between over-the-counter solutions and a professional teeth whitening service are speed and effectiveness. When you use a DIY kit it can take weeks and countless applications for you to see desirable results, if you have them at all. If you choose to use a service such as our Zoom teeth whitening it can mean as little as 45 minutes to see your smile brighten up to 8 shades whiter. When deciding for yourself you will want to consider time, budget and desired results, and we also recommend consulting your local dentist for their professional opinion.
How Zoom teeth whitening works
So as you think about what makes sense for you, here are some details about how an in-office teeth whitening would go. First, we will start with a consultation. Our team at Carolina Smile Design will evaluate your teeth, gums and oral hygiene habits to determine if we believe you will benefit from teeth whitening. Once we determine that you are a good candidate, here is what the procedure will look like:
The complete procedure takes less than an hour, but we recommend a regular teeth cleaning prior to the actual Zoom teeth whitening session. The procedure begins with a short preparation to cover the lips and gums, leaving the teeth exposed. The dentist or dental assistant then applies the Zoom hydrogen peroxide whitening gel, which works together with the Zoom light to penetrate the teeth and break up the stains and discoloration. The gel remains in place for 15 minutes while the light is activated. During this time, you can relax, watch TV, listen to music and get a light massage from our massage chairs.
The gel is applied for three 15-minute sessions of light activation, for a total treatment time of 45 minutes. Individuals with a strong gag reflex or anxiety may have difficulty undergoing the entire procedure. Immediately afterwards, a sensitivity-reducing fluoride paste-gel is applied to the teeth.
After the procedure, we will send you home with a few post whitening items to help you get the most out of your treatment. In order to maintain the whiteness in your smile we will also recommend paying attention to your diet and avoiding foods and drinks that lend themselves to discoloration.
Conclusion
If you are reading this and find yourself more curious about Zoom teeth whitening then don’t hesitate to give us a call at (803) 327-6453. You aren’t alone in wanting a whiter and brighter smile in 2017, so why wait, kick the new year off with a boost of confidence and give us a ring today to schedule a consultation!