Teeth Whitening
If you're in Los Angeles, consider a teeth whitening procedure at Elliott.N.Abrams D.D.S. We're a cosmetic and general dentist known for enhancing smiles, and teeth bleaching is one of the simplest ways to do so. After a cleaning, we can quickly brighten your smile, whether it's for a special occasion or routine care.
Help Your Smile Shine Bright
Many people whiten their teeth regularly to maintain a vibrant appearance. As we age, teeth can naturally become dull and yellow due to diet and habits like coffee, tea, wine, smoking, and food coloring. While brushing after meals helps, it often isn't sufficient to prevent stains entirely. Thankfully, stained teeth can be effectively treated..
Types of Whitening
- There are various teeth bleaching options available. Many start with whitening toothpaste at home, which can brighten teeth but usually isn't enough to achieve noticeable whitening on its own. We suggest using it as part of a comprehensive whitening plan, especially after professional treatments, to help maintain results.
- Many people opt for over-the-counter solutions like whitening trays or strips. While these can be effective, they don’t match the strength of professional treatments. Store-bought trays are one-size-fits-all, which can lead to a loose fit and solution leakage, potentially causing gum irritation.
- We recommend Los Angeles residents schedule an appointment with Dr. Abrams for professional tooth whitening. Our in-office treatments use stronger whitening gel that can brighten teeth by eight shades or more, compared to only two shades with store-bought solutions. For immediate and dramatic results, professional whitening is the better choice.
Tooth Whitening
At Elliott.N.Abrams D.D.S, we offer two main types of dental whitening: in-office treatments and at-home options. An in-office treatment, often done alongside a teeth cleaning or in a separate visit, takes about an hour and delivers instant results, making it a quick and convenient choice for many.
In our dental office, we also recommend custom whitening trays, which allow patients to control how white their teeth become and how often they whiten them. After taking an impression of your teeth, we create custom trays that fit securely without leaking. Patients receive a whitening solution to use at home, wearing the trays for a couple of hours each night until the desired shade is reached. This portable solution is convenient, allowing you to whiten your teeth anywhere, even while traveling.
Related Topics
- Smile Makeover
- Dental Veneers and Dental Laminates
- Snap-On Smile
- Dental Crowns and Dental Bridges
- Zoom Teeth Whitening
- Invisalign Dentist
Explore additional topics covered on our website
How Teeth Whitening Works
Whitening solutions use hydrogen peroxide to penetrate enamel and oxidize molecules, making them appear colorless and whitening the teeth. This process effectively removes stains and can be repeated as needed.
If teeth whitening fails to remove strong stains, veneers can be used as an alternative, especially for smokers, since veneers are stain-resistant. However, trying teeth whitening first is recommended.
We advise patients to whiten their teeth before any dental restorations since materials like crowns, veneers, and implants are stain and bleach-resistant. This ensures the restorations match the desired shade. Schedule your whitening before any restoration work.
The whitening procedure is easy and generally painless. We recommend scheduling a dental exam first to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy. Any issues like cavities or infections will be addressed beforehand. Call 213-353-4723 to schedule your appointment.
Teeth Whitening FAQ
Sensitivity from tooth whitening is always transient. If there is any sensitivity caused by the whitening, it goes away within one to two days after the treatment, and the patient returns to the state of sensitivity he or she had prior to starting the whitening process.
Most people are candidates for tooth whitening, but again, each situation is unique and it's best to contact your dental professional.
Typically you can expect whitening to last from six months to two years, although some studies report results lasting up to 10 years. Avoiding red wine, coffee, and smoking—all of which can cause staining—helps preserve the results.
Yes, many studies have proven that tooth whitening is safe. You can protect your tooth enamel by using calcium sulfate and fluoride.
Tooth whitening has little or no effect on restorative materials such as porcelain or crowns, but it may temporarily reduce the bond strength between enamel and composite restorations. This is why it is a good idea to check with your dental professional before beginning any course of tooth whitening.
Products developed from carbamide peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and urea (substances found in every human cell), should be used cautiously to alleviate concern. Those who have issues are the ones who don't follow instructions and overuse the products for months or years.
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What types of teeth whitening do you offer?