At Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we know how beautiful, bright teeth can give you a confidence boost. Ask us about professional whitening if you have dull, discolored, or yellow teeth. Dr Chris Hardin provides teeth whitening in Indianapolis, IN, as part of his cosmetic dentistry services.
Common Reasons for Teeth Discoloration
You may notice your teeth staining or becoming more yellow over time. While tooth stains are common, you may want to change the color of your teeth. The most common reasons for developing tooth stains include:
Food and Drink
Dark-colored drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine can stain the surface of your teeth. These drinks contain pigments that stick to your enamel and make your teeth look darker over time. Even some foods, like berries and tomato sauce, can leave behind stains if you eat them often.
Tobacco Use
Smoking or chewing tobacco can cause deep stains on your teeth. The nicotine and tar found in tobacco turn teeth yellow or brown. It can also be hard for you to remove these stains without professional treatment.
Poor Dental Hygiene
If you don’t brush or floss every day, plaque and tartar can begin to build on your teeth. Bacterial buildup can make your teeth look dirty or discolored. Skipping regular dental cleanings also gives stains time to set in.
Aging
As you get older, the outer layer of your teeth, called enamel, slowly wears down. This reveals the yellow layer underneath, known as dentin. Even with good oral care, your teeth may naturally appear more yellow as you age.
Medications
Some medicines can cause tooth discoloration when teeth are still developing. Antibiotics like tetracycline can leave gray or brown stains on teeth. Certain treatments for high blood pressure and allergies may also have side effects that discolor your teeth.
Fluorosis
Fluorosis happens when a child gets too much fluoride while their teeth are still forming. This can cause white spots or streaks on the teeth. In more serious cases, the teeth may appear brown or pitted. While this doesn’t negatively impact a child’s oral health, it can affect how the teeth look.
Tooth Damage
A hit or injury to a tooth can damage the inside and cause it to change color. If a dental injury damages the nerve or blood vessels in the tooth, it may turn gray, brown, or even black. While we can’t treat this discoloration with whitening, we can recommend alternatives.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that makes your teeth look whiter and brighter. It works by removing stains from the surface of your teeth. Over time, teeth can stain from coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, or aging. Whitening your teeth can help improve how your teeth look and give you a confidence boost.
Benefits of Whitening Your Teeth
Modern whitening treatments are easier than ever before. You can get a brighter smile in just one visit to our office. The benefits of teeth whitening in our Indianapolis, IN, dental office include:
- Fast Results: One of the biggest benefits of Opalescence® is how quickly it works. You don’t have to wait weeks to see a difference and many people notice that their teeth look whiter after just one visit. It’s a quick and easy way to boost your smile before a big event or special occasion.
- Less Tooth Sensitivity: Many people worry that whitening their teeth might cause pain or make them feel sensitive. Our teeth whitening gel contains potassium nitrate that helps reduce sensitivity. This makes the treatment more comfortable during and after your visit.
- Helps Strengthen Teeth: Opalescence® makes your teeth look better and keeps them healthy. The whitening gel contains fluoride to keep your tooth enamel strong. Strong enamel protects your teeth from cavities and everyday wear and tear.
- Proven Results: Dentists trust this whitening system because it works so well. It removes deep stains from food, drinks, or aging. Whitening can also deliver long-lasting results with less touch-ups.
Opalescence® Teeth Whitening in Indianapolis, IN
Opalescence ® is a proven teeth whitening treatment that removes organic stains on the teeth and significantly brightens your teeth. Dr. Hardin may use Opalescence ® with or without light activation of the gel.
This in-office treatment is quick, simple, and completely safe. We protect dental enamel during treatment with added potassium nitrate and fluoride.
Why should I consider Opalescence®?
Opalescence ® combines hydrogen peroxide that whitens the teeth, with potassium nitrate that reduces sensitivity and strengthens enamel. We only recommend whitening treatment if you’re healthy and don’t have problems like gum disease or tooth decay.
Many patients and dentists prefer this brand over others for many reasons:
- Minimizes tooth sensitivity
- Promotes strong tooth enamel
- Quick treatment times
- Reduces risk of tooth dehydration
- Proven results
How is the Opalescence ® treatment performed?
Dr. Hardin will begin treatment with a thorough cleaning. Cleaning your teeth will remove debris from the surfaces so the whitening gel can penetrate the enamel.
We’ll take pictures of your teeth to record the current color. Then, Dr. Hardin will insert a cheek retractor to expose the surfaces of key teeth. To minimize gum sensitivity, he’ll paint a resin onto the gums to protect them.
Dr. Hardin will apply the first covering of whitening gel to the teeth for 15 minutes. Opalescence® whitening gel contains 38% hydrogen peroxide and potassium nitrate. The whitening gel is thick and reduces mess during application.
Then Dr. Hardin suctions off the gel and checks the whitening progress. He may repeat this process two more times before he rinses your mouth. Dr. Hardin will take photographs of the teeth color post-treatment for a before and after comparison.
Sometimes, Dr. Hardin may expedite the whitening process with a specialized light. In those cases, he’ll apply the light for approximately 30 seconds per gel application. The entire procedure, including the initial cleaning, should take no more than 90 minutes.
After in-office treatment, we may prescribe gel and toothpaste for you to use at home. They contain lower concentrations of the whitening formula to keep your teeth bright.
Take-Home Whitening
We offer custom take-home whitening kits for those who prefer the convenience of whitening at home. These kits include custom-fitted trays and Opalescence® gel, so you can whiten your teeth at your own pace. The custom trays ensure the gel applies evenly to each tooth to maximize whitening and minimizing tooth sensitivity.
This type of teeth whitening usually requires two visits. At the first appointment, Dr. Hardin will take dental impressions of your teeth. He sends these impressions to a local dental lab to fabricate custom plastic trays. You’ll try on the trays at your second appointment for a proper fit. Dr. Hardin may make adjustments if necessary.
At home, you’ll wear the custom whitening trays with a special whitening solution. Depending on your degree of staining, you’ll wear the trays either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight for a couple of weeks. Many patients see more gradual results with take-home whitening, but that treatment can provide less tooth sensitivity.
Why Choose Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry?
We care about your smile and comfort at Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry. Our friendly team uses the latest dental technology and techniques so you get the best care possible. From the moment you walk into our, we want you to feel welcome, relaxed, and confident.
We proudly offer the Opalescence® teeth whitening system. This trusted treatment is safe, powerful, and gives real results. Whether you brighten your teeth in our office or use a take-home kit, we’ll help you find the right option for you.
We take the time to listen to your goals and answer your questions so you feel comfortable every step of the way. We’re here to help you achieve a smile you’ll love to share!
Schedule An Appointment
Get take-home or in-office teeth whitening in our Indianapolis, IN office. Call Hardin Cosmetic and Family Dentistry today at 317-830-0073 or request an appointment online. Schedule your consultation and take the first step towards a brighter smile!