Teeth Whitening
Will Light Up Your Smile
Stained or yellowed teeth can make an otherwise beautiful smile look unhealthy. Certain foods, tobacco use, genetics, and the natural aging process can all cause dental stains. Professional teeth whitening is a fast and effective means of eliminating these stains and illuminating your smile. Kenneth Curl, DDS, in The Woodlands, TX, performs in-office whitening and provides custom take-home kits to help you achieve the bright, beautiful smile you desire.
Why Go to a Dentist for Whitening?
Most department stores and drug stores stock over-the-counter whitening products that claim to be able to give you a brighter, healthier-looking smile. However, the results these products provide can range from disappointing to painful, depending on your expectations, your sensitivity to the whitening agent, and any allergies you have. But when you choose professional whitening, Dr. Curl takes great care to adjust treatment to your needs in order to provide the results you expect without any unpleasant side effects.
In general, if you feel self-conscious about the color of your teeth, you are probably a candidate for a professional whitening treatment.
Our Professional Whitening Options
The powerful Philips Zoom!® whitening system Dr. Curl uses is one of the most popular whitening treatments available. It involves applying the whitening agent to the teeth and activating it with a special LED lamp. Within about an hour, this treatment can whiten teeth by as many as eight shades. Even patients who have not previously had success with other bleaching treatments often respond well to this advanced whitening system.
If you prefer to whiten your teeth at home, Dr. Curl can provide custom-made trays and a prescription whitening gel. Patients simply place the whitening gel into the trays and wear them overnight. It takes about two weeks to achieve optimal results, with results first becoming noticeable within a week.
Candidates for Whitening
In general, if you feel self-conscious about the color of your teeth, you are probably a candidate for a professional whitening treatment. However, there are a few important exceptions:
- Patients with cavities or gum disease must have these conditions resolved before whitening is performed.
- Pregnant patients are advised to delay teeth whitening until after they have delivered.
- Whiteners are not effective on discolored crowns or fillings. If your restorations have become stained, the best solution is to replace them.
- Teeth with deep, dark stains affecting the inner layers of the tooth may not respond well to treatment.
For patients who are not good candidates for teeth whitening, Dr. Curl can provide techniques such as dental bonding, porcelain veneers, LUMINEERS®, or tooth-colored crowns. Dr. Curl will conduct a detailed analysis of your smile and your goals in order to help you achieve the enhancement you desire.
Contact Us
If you have questions about teeth whitening or any of the other cosmetic procedures Dr. Curl provides, we invite you to schedule an appointment. You can call the office at (281) 667-0832 or message our team online.