Many patients now want brighter,whiter teeth and there are several ways that Dr. Neary can help you to whiten your teeth. Our most popular method uses an at home teeth whitening system that will whiten teeth quickly and efficiently. In our office we use Day White^® which is a specialized take-home whitening treatment.

Another great way to lighten teeth is with an in office light activated gel teeth whitening system also known as power bleaching. We use the very popular Zoom!^® Chairside Whitening System (Zoom!^®) at our office.  

If you are considering replacement of fillings, crowns or veneers, you may want to consider whitening your teeth prior to doing so. Replacement of restorations should be done after bleaching so that they will match the newly bleached teeth more closely. Bleaching may remove surface stains on some restorations but will not change their color to any great extent.

Teeth whitening is not a permanent process. Occasional touch-ups may be needed, more often if you smoke, drink soda, coffee, tea, or wine. If you continue to do the things that stained your teeth before, they will probably get stained again!

Reasons for teeth whitening:

• Tooth fluorosis (excessive mottling caused during tooth development).
• Wearing or thinning of enamel leading to color change.
• Spotting / staining of teeth due to medications during tooth development (tetracycline, etc.).
• Stained, discolored teeth from foods and beverages.

At home teeth whitening 

 A day or two later, we'll ask you to return to try in your trays. If any slight adjustments are needed , they can be done at this time..  The trays are worn with special teeth whitening solution usually once or twice a day for 30 minutes for 7- 10 days. It is not uncommon to have tooth sensitivity while you are whitening your teeth, but it should subside quickly after you have stopped bleaching.

Our staff will give you instructions on how to care for your teeth and bleaching trays, and we encourage you to visit Dr. Neary and our office regularly to help maintain your brighter, whiter smile!

 Zoom!^® in office teeth whitening

A cleaning  should be performed before Zoom!^®bleaching to eliminate any debris and plaque on your teeth. Sunglasses will be given to you to protect your eyes from the high powered bleaching light and your clothing will be covered with a barrier to protect it from the bleaching gel.

Here is a quick version of how Zoom!^® is done:

1. Special retractors are used to isolate and expose the surfaces of all of your teeth.
2. Your gums will be covered with a special material that is light cured after being placed and helps to protect the gum tissue from becoming irritated.
3. Our staff will carefully apply the whitening gel to your teeth.
4. The bleaching light will then be placed in position close to your teeth to activate the gel. All of your teeth to be bleached can done at the same time with this light. About 15 minutes later, the gel is rinsed off your teeth and your mouth is irrigated as well.
5. Steps 3 and 4 ( gel application/ light positioned)  are then repeated and bleaching continues for 15 more minutes.
6. Rinsing of your teeth and mouth is done again after the 3rd 15 minute cycle is completed.
7. At this point, you can can stop if you are beginning to have sensitivity. If not, you can proceed on to the 4th 15 minute cycle.
8. The cycle is repeated for the 4th and final time for 15 more minutes.
9. The bleaching gel is rinsed off of your teeth and desensitizing gel may be placed for 15 minutes.
10. The protective barrier is removed and your mouth is irrigated again.

    After completion of this process, our staff will give you instructions on how to care for your teeth. We encourage you to visit Dr. Neary and our office regularly to help maintain your brighter, whiter smile! If you are interested in teeth whitening, Scottsdale dentist Michael J. Neary, DDS can help you get a brighter, whiter smile! Call us today at 480 949 8070 to schedule an appointment! 

    Please see our dental video on teeth whitening if you would like more information.