Professional Teeth Whitening: A Quick, Comfortable Way to Transform Your Smile

Professional teeth whitening at our Little Rock, AR, practice can dramatically brighten your smile in as little as one appointment. For your convenience, Dr. Steven Ray offers both in-office and take-home whitening. Based on your budget and personal preferences, he can help you select the most appropriate method. When you visit Ray Dental, you can enjoy new, improved Zoom! teeth whitening. Thanks to enhanced methods and whitening gels, the treatment can achieve more dramatic results than it could in the past. After your whitening treatment, your smile could be several shades lighter and last for many years.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening allows you to enjoy a much brighter smile in as little as 45 minutes. During the process, your hygienist will cover your teeth in whitening gel. This material is specially formulated to break down dental stains without discomfort. In addition, your practitioner will carefully isolate your gums beforehand. Therefore, the gel will not touch or inflame your soft tissues. To activate the material, your hygienist will shine a special light on your teeth. The gel will remain in place for approximately fifteen minutes before a new coat is applied and the process is repeated. Once the full regimen is complete, your teeth could be up to eight shades whiter.

In-office teeth whitening allows you to enjoy a much brighter smile in as little as 45 minutes. Once the full regimen is complete, your teeth could be up to eight shades whiter.

Take-Home Whitening

There are several different take-home whitening methods available. DayWhite trays are the most common option. You can use these trays on their own, or you can wear them for regular touch-ups after your in-office treatment. The appliances will be custom-made to fit securely over your teeth, and you will fill them with whitening gel that is similar to what you would receive from an in-office treatment. You may need to wear the whitening trays for approximately 30 minutes a day for up to two weeks. If you are using the trays for a touch up, you may only need to wear them five to ten minutes a day. The gel will work the same way that it does during in-office care, and results are typically comparable. Alternatively, Dr. Ray can provide a Philips Zoom Whitening Pen, which will allow you to perform on-the-go touch ups whenever it is most convenient for you.

Maintaining Your Results

Teeth whitening does not permanently erase discoloration. Natural processes and dark-colored foods will eventually cause stains to reappear. Nevertheless, when you regularly perform touch ups as directed by Dr. Ray, you can protect the brighter shade of your teeth for many years. For added protection, you should maintain good dental hygiene, including regular professional cleanings. Finally, you may want to adjust your diet by limiting stain-producing foods. Coffee, red wine, berries, and other heavily pigmented foods can cause stains to develop, especially if you consume them on a regular basis. Try to limit such items, and when you do choose to enjoy them, be sure to drink plenty of water at the same time. Dr. Ray may also recommend the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean toothbrush to help you maintain your results. With a special whitening setting and uniquely designed head, this electric toothbrush removes external stains. Plus, it can eliminate up to seven times more plaque than a standard manual toothbrush.

The Benefits of Professional Whitening

Today, you have a dizzying array of store-bought whitening products to choose from. However, professional whitening offers numerous advantages. First, it they can achieve a more predictable outcome and more noticeable results. Often, these prepackaged products do not contain significant amounts of peroxide, the active ingredient in whitening gel. On the other hand, some products contain excess peroxide, posing a significant risk to your teeth and gums. In contrast, our gel is carefully balanced, making it both safe and effective. If teeth whitening cannot address deeply stained teeth, Dr. Ray may recommend another cosmetic procedure such as porcelain veneers to mask discoloration. 

Achieve a Dazzling Smile

If you would like to achieve a brilliantly white smile or you are embarrassed by yellowed teeth, contact us online today to schedule an appointment. You can also call Ray Dental at  (501) 312-1127 to speak to a member of our staff about the benefits of teeth whitening.