If you want the safety and effectiveness in-office teeth whitening treatments can provide but prefer to do your treatments at home, at-home teeth whitening, available through our office in Las Vegas, NV, may be right for you.
At-home teeth-whitening treatments such as Opalescence® and DayWhite® are provided at the office of Dr. Jason L. Downey to help patients achieve whiter teeth from the comfort of their own home!
Although there are a variety of over-the-counter teeth whitening options, dentist-supervised options such as in-office or at-home treatments are the safest and most effective methods to achieve your goals.
What Is At-Home Teeth Whitening?
Take-home whitening offers convenience as well as results that are comparable to what in-office whitening provides. At-home teeth whitening is done under the recommendation and supervision of Dr. Downey. This professional supervision make our treatments safer and more effective than over-the-counter options.
Dr. Downey offers Opalescence® take-home and DayWhite® treatments to our patients.
Opalescence® take-home teeth whitening gel is available in a variety of formulas and flavors. This gel is administered with custom-made whitening trays provided by Dr. Downey.
DayWhite® is also available in various formulas, including specialized formulas for those with sensitivity issues as well as patients who prefer overnight treatments. DayWhite® is also administered using custom-made whitening trays.
What to Expect
During your consultation with Dr. Downey, he will take impressions of your teeth to create your custom whitening trays. Once the trays are ready, the doctor will check to make sure they fit properly while remaining comfortable and secure. He will then provide you with instructions on how to use and care for your trays.
In the comfort of your own home, you will place the whitening gel into the trays using a syringe and then place the trays over your teeth. The gel will cover your teeth and begin the whitening process.
It is important that the gel does not come in contact with your gums. The gel should not come out of the trays during the treatment. If it does, contact Dr. Downey.
Depending on your prescribed treatment, you may wear your trays for 15 minutes to an hour or overnight. At-home treatments typically take about two weeks to show desired results. You may need additional maintenance treatments, and Dr. Downey can instruct you on how often you should whiten after your initial treatment.
Risks
Although rare, there are some risks with at-home teeth whitening. These risks can include gum or tooth sensitivity, erosion of tooth enamel, or inconsistent results.
Risks like these are more common with over-the-counter treatments than with in-office or at-home treatments as they are usually caused by over-whitening or failure to follow the doctor’s instructions.
Dr. Downey can instruct you on how to whiten at home correctly to avoid these risks.
Benefits
There are several benefits to at-home teeth whitening beyond a whiter smile.
Take-home whitening offers convenience as well as results that are comparable to what in-office whitening provides. You can be completely comfortable while you whiten your teeth!
At-home teeth whitening treatments offer a higher concentration of peroxide under dentist supervision. At-home treatments are more effective due to the peroxide concentration and safer when your dentist oversees your treatment.
Candidates
Adults (and teens, pending dentist and parent approval) with mild to moderate extrinsic stains are the best candidates for at-home teeth whitening. At-home treatments also offer formulas for sensitivity, making teeth whitening a safe and painless option for patients with sensitive teeth.
Teeth whitening will not brighten restorations such as porcelain veneers or dentures. It also cannot eliminate intrinsic stains (stains occurring in the deeper layers of the tooth) caused by trauma or medication. In this case, Dr. Downey may recommend covering the tooth with a restoration.
Contact Us
A brighter and more beautiful smile can enhance both your confidence and appearance, boosting your professional and personal life. If you want a safe but convenient teeth whitening method, contact our office to schedule your consultation.