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Nothing gives you more confidence than a bright white smile, but for many people, achieving that gleaming grin takes more than even the best oral hygiene. Whether as the result of age, injury, or simply years of coffee and red wine, teeth can become stained and discolored for a smile that’s lacking in luster.
Professional teeth whitening from Norman Smile Center is a simple, non-invasive cosmetic dental treatment that can help turn the smile you have into a smile you can’t wait to show off. Our teeth whitening procedures are safe, fast, and affordable, and can be combined with your regular checkup and cleaning—just let us know ahead of time that you’re interested.
Norman Smile Center offers two convenient options for professional teeth whitening: custom-fit at-home bleaching trays or pre-filled whitening trays, both featuring Opalescence® whitening products.
What makes Opalescence different from—and more effective than—other professional whitening treatments is the gel’s sticky, viscous consistency that allows it to stay in place for sustained peroxide release and superior whitening results.
Stains and discolorations on your teeth typically fall into one of two categories—intrinsic or extrinsic.
Intrinsic stains develop below the enamel on the dentin, or inner structure of the tooth. Intrinsic stains are caused when the dentin begins to darken or take on a yellow tint, such as from excessive fluoride as a child or dental trauma. Disease treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can also cause intrinsic stains and discoloration.
Extrinsic stains are more common, and make up the majority of stains and discolorations people struggle with. Extrinsic stains occur on the outer layer of the enamel and can be caused by continued coffee, wine, or soda consumption; nicotine use; and age.
Thin, weak, or eroded enamel can also cause teeth to develop a yellow hue. Enamel can begin to erode with age or from regularly eating or drinking dark or acidic food and beverages, slowly exposing the dentin underneath. Dentin is darker and softer than enamel and more easily stained, causing your teeth to look less bright and white.
Professional teeth whitening products like the Opalescence products from Norman Smile Center whiten teeth by penetrating the enamel and introducing oxygen molecules into the teeth, which react with discolored molecules to break up and remove stains. This allows the entire tooth to be whitened, even if the whitening gel doesn’t come in contact with every part of the enamel.
The active ingredients in Opalescence—hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide)—have been specially formulated to oxidize the tooth tissue safely and effectively, while the additional potassium nitrate and fluoride help reinforce the natural structure of the teeth, enhance the product benefits, and improve product efficiency. Opalescence is also formulated to prevent shade relapse and dehydration for longer-lasting results and a healthier smile.
By removing stains and discoloration, professional teeth whitening can brighten your smile up to two shades. With Opalescence, stains are removed more subtly and gradually than over-the-counter kits, making the treatment gentler on your teeth and more discreet.
Professional teeth whitening is just one of the comprehensive dental care services offered at Norman Smile Center, where we believe the best smile is a healthy one. For more than 30 years, Dr. Kristen Campbell and Dr. Donna Sparks have been helping patients in the Norman area discover a bigger, brighter smile that will be the foundation for a lifetime of good health. From routine checkups and cleanings to veneers, composite fillings, and implants, Norman Smile Center has all your oral health care needs covered.
If you aren’t satisfied with the shade of your smile, schedule an appointment with Norman Smile Center today. You’ll meet with one of our friendly and experienced dental professionals to discuss whether professional teeth whitening like Opalescence is right for you. If it isn’t, we can guide you through other cosmetic and restorative dentistry options that can help you achieve the smile of your dreams safely and effectively.
Professional teeth whitening is a non-invasive cosmetic dental procedure with virtually no side effects. While the strength of the chemicals used in professional teeth whitening products can cause some temporary sensitivity or gum irritation, symptoms improve within 48 hours of treatment for most patients. Making temporary changes to your diet—such as limiting hot, cold, crunchy, or acidic foods—or using a sensitivity toothpaste can help minimize discomfort that persists beyond 48 hours.
With good oral hygiene and routine professional cleanings, your teeth whitening results could last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years or more. How long your teeth stay brilliantly white will depend on several factors, such as the type and degree of the stains being treated and your lifestyle; smoking or other nicotine use, as well as regular consumption of dark or acidic beverages like coffee and red wine, may cause your smile to dull sooner.
And remember, professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure, not a preventative one, so not only will the results not last forever, but it isn’t a substitute for good oral care and won’t protect your teeth from future staining or decay. Regular cleanings and checkups are still just as important, no matter how white your teeth are.
While most people are good candidates for professional teeth whitening treatments, there are some situations that may preclude you from getting it, especially if you have:
Only a dentist can determine whether or not you are a good candidate for professional teeth whitening. If, for one of these reasons or another, Dr. Campbell or Dr. Sparks determine you are not a good candidate for teeth whitening, Norman Smile Center offers an array of alternative cosmetic and restorative procedures that can help give you your best and brightest smile.