Bleaching Teeth

Having a beautiful smile may be even easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they've been dreaming of with our simple "bleaching" procedure. Questions about dental bleaching in Houston, Texas? Call our office for a consultation.

What are the details?

It's safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to begin bleaching. You can lighten only your upper teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much you show when you talk and smile.

In only a day or two your custom bleach splints will be ready for you to pick up. We provide you with a special bleaching agent that you put into the clear splints. With only a few hours of wear per day, our special bleaching agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the desired brightness, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile. We'll want to take "after" photos at your next appointment.

Dental bleaching can be used to correct tooth discoloration. Discolorations can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Using the latest in bleaching technology, we can offer a safe method for creating a beautiful "brilliant" smile. In cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice, but because of the low cost of bleaching treatments, bleaching is nearly always worth a solid try.

Key Benefits

•  Corrects brown, yellow and mottled tooth staining

•  Works on people of any age  

•  Is a near permanent solution for a "dull" smile, restoring brightness and brings a smile alive  

How is it done?

We do two types of bleaching at our office.   Laser bleaching and home tray bleaching.   The Laser bleaching is done in our office and takes about one hour.   The home tray technique involves taking an impression to make a specialized "mouthguard" or "stent" to hold the bleach against the teeth. The material is used for about 1-3 hours for a week or two, and at the end of this time, significant whitening will occur. Dr. Van Slate usually recommends a combination of laser and home trays for the most predictable and optimal results. In some cases, the change is nothing short of brilliant. For confidence in appearance, bleaching technology allows us to promise improvements in yellowing, aging or stained teeth. For very severely stained teeth, crowns or veneers may be more appropriate.

Considerations

Over the counter bleaching agents are available for purchase at drug stores and pharmacies. However, since the results of these products are not as predictable and can sometimes cause harm to the gums and teeth, it's better to use products that our practice recommends.