Teeth Whitening in San Francisco, CA
Our smile is the first thing that we show in our daily communications, whether at work, at home, or with friends. Whiter teeth make our smile appear younger, healthier, and more attractive. With regular whitening at My Dentist San Francisco, you can maintain a white smile without constantly worrying about the potential staining properties of what you are eating and drinking.
Why choose professional teeth whitening?
You’ve likely seen commercials or products at the drug store that claim to be professional whitening products. Often, these OTC whitening treatments are not as strong as the professional ones, and the result is not as sustainable as expected. If not done in a supervised environment, OTC whitening can harm the soft tissue, causing burns, sensitivity, or permanent damage to your teeth and gum tissue.
Professional teeth whitening at My Dentist San Francisco is more controlled, and done 100% under Dr. Shirvani’s supervision. We will make sure to obtain the maximum result without damaging any soft or hard tissue.
Teeth Whitening Options
We believe the best way to achieve optimum results that last, is a combination of in-office and at-home whitening together.
In-Office Philips Zoom Whitening
During the in-office portion of your treatment, plan to be at our San Francisco dental office for about an hour and a half. Bring your favorite music to pass the time!
First, we will clean and polish your teeth to remove all the extrinsic stains from them, so the whitening gel touches all surfaces of your teeth equally. Then, we isolate your gum tissue and lips with some retractors. We apply the whitening gel and depending on the different brand, follow the instructions. Usually, it takes three to four cycles of application to achieve the desired results. We will check with you after each cycle to see if it's close to the tooth color that you want.
At-Home Zoom or Opalescence® Whitening
Take Home Whitening Gels are delivered through customized bleaching trays designed to fit your unique smile. Dr. Shirvani will create your personal trays from an alginate impression of your mouth; this customization is part of what makes Opalescence/Zoom Take Home Whitening Gels so effective. The powerful, prescription-strength whitening gels are available in varying strengths depending on your dental needs.
If you would like to learn more about teeth whitening, please contact our San Francisco dental office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Shirvani!
Teeth Whitening FAQ
Q: How does teeth whitening work?
A: Teeth whitening is a process that removes stains from the teeth, making them look whiter and brighter. The whitening procedure can be done in the office under the dentist’s supervision or at home or a combination of both. Whitening products containing either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are applied by putting the solution in trays that are placed in the mouth and cover the teeth. The whitening solution breaks the molecules into smaller pieces, which makes the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter. This is an extremely effective treatment for eliminating stains and can be repeated frequently.
Most of the time, bleaching is all that is needed, but occasionally, the stains have been there too long and the bleaching isn’t as effective at removing the stains. If this happens, we do have an alternative method that will permanently keep teeth looking white and bright. Dental veneers placed on the surface of the teeth resist stains from food, beverages, and cigarettes and will mask any underlying imperfections.
This is often needed by patients who smoke because the whitening procedure isn’t quite strong enough to remove dark stains. The other conditions that are not responsive to whitening treatment occur when there is a lack of structural conditions, like hereditary lack of enamel or dentin, or when there is an acquired childhood condition like fluorosis.
This is a service we offer in our San Francisco office. While this is an effective treatment, we do suggest trying the teeth whitening first before opting for a cosmetic procedure.
Q: Should I wait until finishing other procedures to whiten my teeth?
A: At My Dentist San Francisco, we recommend that patients have their teeth whitening procedure done first, before having other dental procedures. For most procedures, such as crowns, veneers, or implants, the teeth that are made will match the color and shade of the surrounding teeth to make a uniform look. That is one reason we suggest doing teeth whitening first, because the crowns and veneers are already stain-resistant and made to match the natural tooth color.
If the teeth are yellowed and stained when the crowns or veneers are made, the crowns or veneers will be the same color and cannot be changed after the fact. If you whiten the natural teeth later, the yellowed teeth will still be there and it will be obvious that they are different. If you live in the San Francisco area and are interested in a dental restoration, schedule your teeth whitening procedure first.
Q: Does teeth whitening cause permanent tooth sensitivity?
A: Most often, tooth sensitivity caused by teeth whitening procedures goes away after a short time. You may notice a little sensitivity for a day or two afterwards, but the normal sensitivity of the teeth returns and there are no lasting issues.
Q: Who is a good candidate for teeth whitening?
A: Teeth whitening is appropriate for most patients, but if you have special considerations due to previous procedures, you should speak to the dentist before making a decision.
Q: How much does teeth whitening cost?
A: The cost for teeth whitening often ranges from $300 to $1,000, depending on the type of treatment used and how often it needs to be repeated to reach the desired whiteness. My Dentist San Francisco offers consultations and can answer your questions and recommend the most effective method of treatment for you.
Q: How long does teeth whitening last?
A: The length of time you can expect whitening to last will depend on the type of bleaching agent used. Although hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are used as the bleaching agents, there are varying concentrations, as well as different methods of application. Because of this, the average teeth whitening results can last from six months to three years. Avoiding things that cause tooth staining like smoking, drinking coffee, and red wine can help it last even longer.
Q: Is teeth whitening safe?
A: Teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to remove stains from teeth and restore a brighter smile. Toothpaste with fluoride helps protect tooth enamel, and avoiding foods that cause staining will help your teeth stay white and bright between treatments.
Q: Does teeth whitening affect crowns or porcelain veneers?
A: Teeth whitening products have little effect on porcelain crowns, veneers, and other restorative products. Teeth whitening will not change the color of composite products, but it may affect the bonding between the tooth and the restorative product. It is recommended to speak to your dentist before making a decision.
