Your Saskatoon Invisalign® Provider
At Sutherland Dental Group, our dentists offer both in-office and take-home teeth whitening options to help our Saskatoon patients brighten their smiles.
What is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is an effective and safe method to eliminate stains and lighten the colour of your teeth.
As we age, our teeth gradually become more vulnerable to staining from food, beverages and other substances. Our tooth enamel naturally attracts particles, and products such as tea, coffee, tobacco and even berries are well-known to stain teeth.
Bleaching agents used during the tooth whitening process are designed to reverse the effects of aging and staining, lightening the colour of your teeth.
How Teeth Whitening Works
Peroxide-based bleaching agents are used in teeth whitening treatments. As the active ingredient breaks down, oxygen acts on the tooth enamel and creates the whitening effect.
In-Office Teeth Whitening in Saskatoon
An in-office teeth whitening session takes about two hours at our dental office. To begin, a barrier is fitted around your gums to protect them before a thin layer of gel is applied and chemically activated on each tooth. This process is repeated a few times until the desired shade of white is achieved.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening in Saskatoon
We offer at-home whitening options at Sutherland Dental Group so that you can whiten your teeth in the comfort and convenience of your home. Custom whitening trays are made specifically for your smile. You will also receive thorough at-home instructions from your dentist to follow during your treatment.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read the answers to our most frequently asked questions about teeth whitening at Sutherland Dental Group.
- How long do the effects of teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening is a temporary solution to whiten your smile.
If your teeth are continually exposed to food and drinks that can cause staining, you will likely begin to see the whiteness fade after a few months.
If you avoid these foods and drinks following your teeth whitening treatment, you may just require a touch-up after one year or so.
- Does teeth whitening make teeth more sensitive?
One short-term side effect to teeth whitening may be sensitivity. For most patients, this fades away within a few days following a whitening session.
To minimize any discomfort, we recommend that you use an anti-sensitivity toothpaste before treatment, and for at least two weeks following your treatment.
- Do teeth whitening products work on all stains?
We find that brown and yellow-coloured stains respond best to teeth whitening treatments.
Purple, grey and blue-coloured stains tend not to respond to whitening treatments at all. If your teeth have these types of stains, cosmetic treatments such as dental crowns or veneers may be a better fit for you.
- Does teeth whitening work on dental restorations?
No. Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth. It will not work on existing dental restorations such as dental crowns or veneers.
If crowns or veneers are part of your treatment plan, teeth whitening should take place before you receive your dental restorations.
- Will teeth whitening damage my tooth enamel?
When used under the supervision of a qualified dentist, teeth whitening is very unlikely to damage your dental enamel.
Always consult with your dentist to ensure you are using any teeth whitening products safely.
- Does insurance cover the cost of teeth whitening?
Dental insurance does not typically cover the cost of teeth whitening because it is a purely cosmetic procedure, with no health benefits for your teeth.