Teeth Whitening in Hillsboro
For an amazing, youthful smile, see general dentist Dr. James Miller. We have found that at-home teeth whitening is the most comfortable and affordable for our patients who come from Hillsboro, Portland, and Beaverton. Dr Miller takes impressions of your teeth to create a custom fit tray, which holds the bleach gel tight up against the patient’s teeth. The patient wears the tray for just 20 minutes a day for about a week, and gains a beautiful, bright smile.
Tooth color varies person to person, just like hair or skin. In addition to these inherent color differences, teeth can become stained on the surface by consuming beverages such as tea, coffee, red wine or eating staining foods. Smoking has a significant staining effect. There is also sub-surface staining, which can be caused by certain antibiotics when teeth were forming during your youth while taking antibiotics or from trauma. Of course, calculus or tartar can also affect the color of the teeth and so we commend a professional dental cleaning within 6 month of starting to bleach your teeth.
There is a lot of hype over in-office teeth whitening treatments that boast incredible results in just one visit. These treatments rely upon extremely harsh hydrogen peroxide solutions that can lead to tooth discomfort. Generally, the fee for in-office teeth whitening is much more expensive and per the literature, no more effective than at-home treatments.
In cases of severe discoloration, teeth whitening in conjunction with placement of porcelain crowns or veneers can help. They offer long lasting results and a completely natural appearance.
Teeth whitening can change your outlook. See for yourself how easy it can be! Call general dentist, James A Miller, DMD to discuss teeth whitening in Hillsboro today!
Take-home teeth whitening in Hillsboro:
- Lightens stains and discoloration
- Gives you a confident, youthful boost
- Is convenient – see results after just 20 minutes of whitening per day, for a week
- Offers little, if any, tooth sensitivity
- More effective than store-bought methods
- Custom trays keep the gel on your teeth, not your gums
Q: Are there any side effects to teeth whitening? »
In some studies, patients have experienced uncomfortable short-term side effects to their teeth when having teeth bleached. Hydrogen peroxide can increase temperature sensitivity in the teeth, particularly at higher concentrations. We prefer using a lower concentration for comfort If a patient still has sensitivity we will have them alternate with at home fluoride treatments. This usually controls sensitivity.
Still, the general health risks of bleaching systems are minimal as far as your body is concerned. Applications are controlled so that you don’t swallow hydrogen peroxide.
Q: How white can your teeth become? »
Some whitening procedures claim they can whiten your teeth by up to nine shades, but that is highly unlikely. Just a change of two or three shades will make a significant difference in just about anyone’s smile.
Not all of your teeth are the same natural color. Usually your canines and molars tend to be darker than the others, your front teeth and premolars are typically the whitest. The goal for everyone is to achieve their individual optimum whiteness while still looking natural. During your first consultation for tooth whitening, Dr. Miller will go over what you personally can expect for your specific smile. How white teeth will become from a given procedure will vary from person to person. The structure of your teeth and the type of procedure implemented will affect the outcome.
Q: How long will my teeth stay whiter? »
The effects of whitening can last up to three years. However, this will vary from person to person. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, or eat or drink products that can stain your teeth. Most of our patients touch up their smile once or twice a year using their custom at-home bleaching trays. We provide them with additional bleaching product as needed.
Q: How can I look after my teeth once they have been whitened? »
You can help to keep your teeth white by cutting down on the amount of food and drink you have that can stain teeth. Quitting smoking can also help prevent discoloring and staining.
We recommend the following tips to care for your teeth:
Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
Cut down on how often you consume staining foods and drinks
Visit your dentist at least once a year
