Teeth Whitening in Butler, PA

A recent study conducted by the American Association of Orthodontists revealed that more than a third of Americans are unhappy with their smiles. The reasons vary, but they include self-consciousness about stained, crooked, or gapped teeth.

One concern more people are focused on these days is having whiter teeth. Brockley Dental Center offers teeth-whitening services to help you get the dazzling smile you’ve always wanted.

Understanding Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is the process of lightening the color of teeth without removing any of the surface material. Before you decide to whiten your teeth, however, it’s important to understand what might be causing problematic stains. There are two main types of tooth stains:

Intrinsic Stains

Intrinsic stains are stains inside the tooth enamel that have existed since before the permanent teeth emerged. Some common causes of intrinsic stains include:

• Antibiotic use
• Thinning tooth enamel
• Exposure to high levels of fluoride

Intrinsic staining can also be genetic in some cases.

Extrinsic Stains

Extrinsic stains are stains on the outside of the teeth. These stains often come from environmental exposure to substances that can discolor the tooth enamel. Causes may include:

• Coffee, tea, soda, wine, or other staining beverages
• Cigarettes or other smoking products
• Artificial food colorings

Once you know what kind of stains your teeth have, you can decide which type of whitening will help you the most.

Home Whitening vs. Professional Whitening

Nowadays, all kinds of teeth-whitening products are available for at-home use. But just how effective are these products?

Home whitening kits can take much longer to offer results than the procedures performed at our office. You may have to spend up to two hours a day for weeks on end to get the results Brockley Dental can offer in a single day. And since home whitening kits aren’t as capable as the products and tools we use at our office, you’ll also spend more money buying kit after kit than you would by scheduling a professional procedure.

The tools and whitening agents we use penetrate deeper into the teeth, creating results that last much longer than at-home kits and saving you both time and money.

Another issue that can arise when you rely on at-home kits is that the products may contain substances that aggravate tooth decay, gum disease, or other oral complications. We can identify such issues and help resolve them before we perform the whitening procedure to ensure that you don’t suffer more damage. 

At our office, we have a hybrid option that can join the benefits of both of these types of whitening procedures—the iSmile™ teeth whitening system. 

The iSmile™ Teeth-Whitening System

Brockley Dental Center provides premier teeth-whitening services with the iSmile teeth-whitening system. It all takes place at our comfortable, private office, where we jumpstart the whitening process using light-activated acceleration technology to help you lighten your teeth fast.

You can then continue the process on your own with the take-home kits we provide. These kits contain a special iSmile mouthpiece that can be plugged into an Android phone or iPhone to continue the whitening process at your leisure.

All you have to do is apply the special gel to your teeth, put the tray in your mouth, and leave it in for about eight minutes per session. By doing this two to three times per day, you can transform your smile with minimal time or effort. 

Our take-home kit includes 22 teeth-whitening treatments and a universal tray that allows you to treat your upper and lower teeth simultaneously.

Benefits of the iSmile Teeth-Whitening System

Before we treat you with the iSmile system, we’ll closely examine your teeth to ensure that you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening. Doing so will allow us to detect evidence of gum disease or tooth decay that might get worse if you use a home whitening kit. 

We can monitor the process and show you how to safely use the gel and tray at our office. After that, you don’t have to worry about taking the time to schedule follow-up appointments.

Our take-home kits make it possible to proceed with the teeth-whitening process in a manner and time frame of your choosing, as you can use the tray whenever you like while doing other things.

The iSmile teeth whitening system uses the latest technology, including powerful LED lights that can remove even the most stubborn stains from your teeth. The system even has a timer that you can set so you don’t have to watch the clock as you use the tray. 

Preparing for Teeth Whitening

As mentioned, it’s important to schedule an initial consultation to ensure that you’re a good candidate for this type of teeth whitening. We can make sure you don’t experience excessive tooth sensitivity or gum irritation as you use the special gel and tray.

It’s crucial that you tell us if you have any sensitivity to heat or cold, as such sensitivities increase after teeth whitening. We’ll need to evaluate whether the minor risks involved in the procedure are worth the benefits it can offer.

We’ll want to see if you have any veneers, dental crowns, or other dental implants in place. We might also recommend a deep cleaning to make the procedure even more effective. A deep cleaning can get rid of long-standing bacteria and plaque.

During your consultation, we also encourage you to ask any questions you may have about the procedure and available payment options. Once we’re sure you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening, we can begin applying the chemicals. After completing the teeth-whitening procedure, it will be important to take good care of your teeth to ensure that the results last as long as possible. 

Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day: as soon as you get up in the morning and again right before bed. It’s also a good idea to cut down on the number of sugary foods and beverages you consume. 

The Brockley Dental Center Philosophy

At Brockley Dental, we view all our patients as individuals. We’ll take the time to answer all your questions about the procedure you need and make sure you never feel rushed. 

We’re a family practice first and foremost, and all our patients and their loved ones are members of the Brockley Dental family. The father-and-daughter team of Donald B. Brockley, DMD, and E. Ahono Gildersleeve, DDS, as well as their good friend Carmin Gonzalez, DDS, are ready to offer guidance for a wide range of oral health issues and aesthetic concerns like teeth whitening. 

State-of-the-art facilities and more than 50 years of combined experience in the field allow us to provide reliable care whether you need whitening or multiple root canals.

Although we don’t participate with insurance, we gladly submit claims on behalf of our patients to maximize their dental insurance benefits. We also offer CareCredit financing, allowing patients to pay for treatment in affordable installments.

Reach Out to Brockley Dental Today

If you’re unhappy with your teeth, Brockley Dental can help. We can give you the gift of a bright new smile thanks to our highly effective teeth-whitening options.

We serve the areas of Greater Pittsburgh and Butler, PA, bringing our experience and dedication to helping each of our patients. Call Brockley Dental Center today to schedule your consultation.