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Teeth Whitening in NYC (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Harlem)

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    Would you love a brighter smile? You are not alone, and professional teeth whitening treatments are one of our most requested procedures. When performed correctly, professional teeth whitening can provide excellent results. A beautiful white smile can improve self-esteem and self-confidence and help you make a good first impression. Whiter teeth can look more youthful and healthier, and attractive. If you want to rejuvenate stained and discolored teeth, you could benefit from a teeth whitening treatment at Century Dental.

    How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

    Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that can remove stains from tooth enamel. A peroxide-based bleaching agent is applied directly to teeth, where it can penetrate the tooth enamel and remove surface stains.

    Types of teeth whitening

    • In-office whitening: In-office whitening treatments provided by a dentist can contain from 15% up to 43% hydrogen peroxide.
    • Home whitening: Home whitening treatments contain a form of peroxide called carbamide peroxide, which is more stable and, therefore, easier and safer for home use.

    The longer the whitening treatment remains on your teeth, the greater the bleaching effect, but it’s important not to overuse these products. When using higher percentage bleaching treatments, these must be left on teeth for shorter times. Overusing these products can dehydrate the tooth enamel, increasing the risk of tooth sensitivity and leaving the enamel looking lifeless and dull.

    Teeth Whitening in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York

    What Is the Best Teeth Whitening?

    The best teeth whitening treatment is provided by a dentist. We can use high-strength products safely and effectively which aren’t available to the general public. These help ensure your teeth whiten more quickly, achieving the best results. Most importantly, our dentists at Century Dental ensure teeth whitening is safe and appropriate before recommending this procedure.

    Two options are available: an in-office tooth whitening treatment or a custom whitening kit for home use. Both are equally effective, but a home whitening kit will take longer to achieve the full results but does offer more control over the process.

    Before whitening your teeth, it’s a good idea to ensure you have a hygiene appointment. Professionally cleaning your teeth will get rid of all the plaque and tartar buildup, leaving them already looking a bit whiter and brighter than before, and will ensure the whitening agents can penetrate your teeth more easily and effectively.

    In-Office Teeth Whitening

    If you want to whiten your teeth quickly, perhaps in time for a special event, in-office teeth whitening is the treatment you need. Century Dental uses GLO Whitening, a professional system that achieves excellent results quickly. GLO stands for Guided Light Optics, using warming heat to help the whitening gel penetrate your teeth more easily, lifting deeper stains from tooth enamel.

    It can brighten your teeth by several shades so they look significantly whiter after just one treatment that can take as little as an hour. During this treatment, your lips and gums are protected before your teeth are painted with professional strength whitening gel that is quickly activated with the warming light and penetrates tooth enamel. The whitening gel may be wiped off and reapplied several times during a single appointment.

    Custom Home Whitening Kits

    If you prefer to be more in control of the whitening process, consider a custom home whitening kit using the same GLO technology with rechargeable mouthpieces that only take minutes to work. The kit has whitening trays that fit over your teeth and are comfortable to wear.

    We can prescribe the correct strength of carbamide peroxide whitening gel and show you how to apply it to your teeth. We also prescribe a special gel to protect your lips, ensuring treatment is comfortable. You simply insert the mouthpiece, switch it on, and it will begin to glow and become warmer, activating the whitening gel.

    It is also a good solution for anyone with sensitive teeth, as whitening more slowly can be more comfortable. Another nice thing about choosing a home whitening kit is that you can top up the results later, as we can prescribe additional gel. Some people choose to use both treatments, first whitening their teeth in our dental office before continuing to whiten them further at home to achieve the ultimate results.

    How Much Is Teeth Whitening?

    Teeth whitening is one of the most affordable cosmetic dental treatments available. Because this is a purely cosmetic dental treatment, dental health insurance will not cover costs.

    Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

    Teeth whitening is most effective for people with yellow teeth. It is less effective for people with gray or brown teeth, or teeth with a purple hue. Teeth whitening can be very effective for lifting stains caused by food and beverages, smoking, or aging.

    Important considerations

    • You must have strong, healthy teeth with no signs of untreated cavities or failing fillings.
    • You should not have any signs of active gum disease.
    • Certain teeth may be less suitable for whitening, such as those with internal stains or that are stained because of excessive exposure to fluoride during childhood.
    • Teeth whitening also works less well on tetracycline stains and might require a different approach.
    • Any existing restorations like crown and bridge work, porcelain veneers, or white fillings will not change color during a whitening treatment. Therefore, if these restorations match your current tooth color, they may need replacing afterward to achieve a uniformly bright, white smile.

    Teeth whitening during pregnancy

    We don’t usually recommend teeth whitening during pregnancy, and this isn’t because it’s necessarily unsafe but because there is no research into its safety. It’s better to wait until the baby is born.

    Why see a dentist before using any teeth whitening product?

    Your dentist will carefully assess your teeth and gums to ensure that teeth whitening is appropriate for you and will achieve the best results.

    Teeth whitening can be a safe and effective way to brighten your smile. However, it is important to talk to your dentist first to make sure that you are a good candidate for the treatment and to discuss any potential risks or side effects.

    What to Expect After Professional Teeth Whitening?

    • Teeth may be more porous and sensitive. Professional teeth whitening treatments can leave your teeth slightly more porous, and it takes a few days for the tooth enamel to settle down. During this time, your teeth may be more sensitive, especially if you already have sensitive teeth.
    • Avoid highly colored foods and beverages. While your tooth enamel settles down, it is important to avoid highly colored foods and beverages, as these foods could stain your teeth.
    • Use desensitizing toothpaste. Our professional teeth whitening products already contain desensitizing agents such as fluoride to help protect your teeth and prevent sensitivity. If you have tooth sensitivity, these sensations should disappear quickly, and it can be useful to use desensitizing toothpaste for a couple of weeks before and after a tooth whitening treatment to help ensure treatment is more comfortable.

    Tips for minimizing tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening

    • Avoid hot and cold foods and drinks.
    • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a nonabrasive toothpaste.
    • Avoid flossing for 24 hours after treatment.
    • Use desensitizing toothpaste for a couple of weeks before and after treatment.

    If you have any concerns about tooth sensitivity after teeth whitening, please consult with your dentist.

    Teeth Whitening Cost

    The cost of the professional teeth whitening in our office is $600.

    How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

    Teeth whitening is not a permanent treatment. Eventually, your teeth will start to darken and stain again, regardless of whether you have them bleached professionally or use a home whitening kit.

    You can help maintain the results by:

    • Practicing good oral care, including brushing twice a day and flossing every day
    • Rinsing your mouth with water after eating or drinking anything very acidic, rich in tannins, or highly colored

    To avoid staining, avoid the following foods and drinks:

    • Berries
    • Curries
    • Tomato-based sauces
    • Tea
    • Coffee
    • White and red wine
    • Carbonated beverages
    • Sports drinks

    In particular, avoid light-colored carbonated beverages, white wine, and light and dark-colored soda, as these drinks are high in acids. Anything acidic can erode your tooth enamel and increase the rate of staining.

    After having a professional teeth whitening treatment, we can discuss how frequently you can safely top up the results. If you use a home whitening kit, we can prescribe additional vials of GLO whitening gel.

    To maintain your teeth whitening results, practice good oral care, avoid staining foods and drinks, and discuss top-up treatments with your dentist.

    If you are considering bleaching your teeth, please talk to us before using any whitening product. When used correctly, teeth whitening can produce wonderful results very economically and quickly, but if products are misused or used incorrectly, unwanted teeth whitening side-effects can damage teeth and gums. We want to ensure you whiten safely without pain or discomfort.

    Page Updated on Nov 27, 2024, Reviewed by Ramin Rayhan, DDS (Dentist) of Century Dental Center
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    Who is Multi-Specialty Clinic Century Medical and Dental Center

    Century Medical and Dental Center is an accredited healthcare facility in NY that operates in accordance with Article 28, a public health law. This law regulates and recognizes accreditation for public healthcare facilities, ensuring they are licensed and operated correctly. By undergoing the Article 28 process and achieving accreditation, Century Medical and Dental Center demonstrates its commitment to meeting the highest standards of care.

    As a multidisciplinary medical center, we have highly qualified doctors, nurses, and support staff who are working hard to provide the best medical care to patients in Midtown Manhattan, NY, Downtown Brooklyn, NY, including Brooklyn Heights, Dumbo, Prospect Heights, Park Slope, Clinton Hill, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, and Bedford-Stuyvesant.

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