Everyone wants to make a great first impression, and a bright and beautiful smile can help. Many spend countless hours and money trying to perfect their smile with over-the-counter teeth-whitening agents. However, these treatments often prove ineffective. Stonehenge Family and Cosmetic Dentistry offers professional teeth whitening treatment in Raleigh, NC. Our convenient take-home treatment allows patients to whiten their teeth on their own time, in the comfort of their homes.
Teeth whitening treatment is a part of our cosmetic dental treatments. Dr. Claudel Giggey is proud to help Raleigh patients get brighter and whiter smiles. She also knows that not every stain responds to whitening. Dr. Giggey evaluates your type before she recommends cosmetic or restorative treatment customized to you.
Why Are My Teeth Discolored?
Tooth stains and discoloration can develop over time for various reasons. If you look at a used coffee or tea mug, you can see stains that are hard to clean. The same can happen to your teeth. These stains build up slowly over time, and you may not have noticed how much darker your teeth have become.
The most common causes of tooth stains that we treat in the Raleigh area include:
Foods and Drinks
Most people think that only smoking or drinking coffee leads to discolored teeth. But the foods and beverages you eat and drink can darken your teeth. Berries, coffee, tea, red wine, and dark-colored juices all contribute to tooth stains. Some spices, when eaten regularly, can also cause stains.
Tobacco
Smoking cigarettes, vaping, and using tobacco products can also contribute to discolored teeth. Nicotine easily stains the tooth enamel. Patients who continually use tobacco products containing nicotine can experience darkening enamel and yellow-looking teeth.
Injuries
A hit to a tooth can make it turn grey or brown. This is because a dental injury can injure the blood vessels within the tooth. Additionally, a chipped or cracked tooth can discolor because of damage to the enamel.
Medications and Health Issues
Some medications can also cause tooth discoloration as a side effect. Medical conditions like diabetes, metabolic diseases, and other problems can increase your risk of tooth stains.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening Treatment in Raleigh, NC
We offer professional take-home whitening, which lets you whiten on your own schedule without multiple office visits.
Step 1: Consultation and impressions
Dr. Giggey examines your teeth and gums, checks for cavities and gum disease, and takes digital impressions of your teeth. We treat any problems before whitening starts, since whitening on unhealthy teeth causes sensitivity and uneven results.
Step 2: Custom trays
Our dental lab makes upper and lower trays from your digital impressions. Custom trays fit precisely against your teeth, which means the gel stays where it should instead of leaking onto your gums.
Step 3: Whitening at home
You wear the trays with professional-strength gel for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Most patients see visible improvement after 7 to 15 sessions, depending on your starting shade and the type of staining.
Step 4: Follow-up
We check your results and adjust your routine if needed. Most patients whiten once every 6 to 12 months, with a touch-up session every few months to maintain the shade
How to Treat Deep Tooth Stains
Deep tooth stains are called intrinsic stains. These stains accumulate within the tooth enamel and are often caused by dental trauma, medication, or health problems. Unlike extrinsic stains, which affect the tooth’s surface, deep stains don’t respond to professional whitening.
Our Raleigh office also provides other cosmetic dentistry treatments if professional teeth whitening doesn’t work for you.
Alternatives to teeth whitening include:
- Tooth Veneers: Porcelain veneers are custom-made thin shells that cover the front of your tooth. We can recommend veneers to hide any stains or discoloration in one or more teeth in the smile zone. Porcelain veneers are permanent and can help patients attain a beautiful, bright smile.
- Tooth Bonding: Tooth bonding is a more affordable cosmetic treatment that can whiten teeth. Bonding involves placing the resin material on a tooth to hide the stains.
- Dental Crown: A dental crown is a cap that fully covers a single tooth. While a crown is a restorative treatment, we can use crowns as a cosmetic treatment if you have tooth damage and discoloration. We place the crown over the entire tooth to hide discoloration.
Patient Review
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read answers to common questions about teeth whitening treatment in Raleigh, NC.
How long does professional teeth whitening last?
Most patients keep their results for six months to two years, depending on their habits. Coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco speed up the return of stains, while touch-up sessions with your custom trays extend the timeline.
How can I maintain bright teeth?
Brush twice a day with a soft brush and non-abrasive toothpaste, and floss daily. Abrasive toothpastes with charcoal or other grit scratch enamel and expose the darker dentin underneath. Keep your cleanings so we can remove plaque buildup and apply fluoride, and avoid acidic or deeply pigmented foods and drinks, which wear down enamel and dye it.
How white will my teeth get?
Most patients see several shades of improvement after 7 to 15 sessions, but the final result depends on your starting shade and the type of staining. Surface stains respond best. Deep stains inside the tooth don’t respond to whitening at all.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have sensitive teeth?
Yes, for most patients. Dr. Giggey can recommend a lower-concentration gel, adjust your wear time, or use a desensitizing protocol before you start. Tell her about your sensitivity at your consultation so she can plan around it.
Will whitening change the color of my crowns or fillings?
No. Whitening gel only works on natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers, and fillings stay the same color, so whitening can make them stand out if they’re already darker than your teeth. Dr. Giggey checks your restorations before recommending whitening.
How often can I whiten my teeth?
Most people whiten once every 6 to 12 months. Whitening too often can wear down your enamel and make your teeth feel raw or painful. After you finish your initial sessions, you can do one touch up session every few months to keep your smile bright. Our dentist will tell you the right schedule for your teeth.
Brighten Your Natural Smile
Are you interested in teeth whitening treatment but want professional results? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Giggey online. You can also contact our office by calling 919-295-0936.
Please let us know if you have questions about teeth whitening treatment in our Raleigh, NC office. We look forward to seeing you at your next dental visit.