Teeth Whitening Specialist

What is teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental technique that uses medically-approved solutions to enhance the appearance of your smile. 

Specifically, it uses hydrogen peroxide gel or another similar product to oxidize the molecules inside your tooth enamel. The oxidation process makes the stains less visible, effectively turning back the clock.

What causes teeth to change color?

Teeth change color due to a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic stains:

Intrinsic stains

Intrinsic stains affect the interior of your tooth enamel. Common causes of intrinsic stains include taking medication with tetracycline or experiencing trauma, like a blow to the mouth. 

Extrinsic stains

Extrinsic stains affect the exterior of your tooth enamel. The most common cause of extrinsic stains is the natural aging process, but other factors include using tobacco, drinking dark beverages like coffee, and poor oral hygiene.

What are the types of teeth whitening?

At DentAlign NYC, Dr. Kakosian offers several types of teeth whitening, including:

In-office teeth whitening

In-office teeth whitening is an outpatient procedure that takes about an hour. Just one treatment session can make your teeth up to eight* shades lighter. 

During this type of teeth whitening, Dr. Kakosian applies a whitening solution to your teeth and lets it sit. Then, he points a special light at your teeth, triggering a whitening reaction. Dr. Kakosian follows these same steps several times until you’re satisfied with the results. 

Take-home teeth-whitening trays

If you aren’t interested in making an appointment to whiten your teeth, consider take-home teeth-whitening trays. At the beginning of treatment, you receive a kit that contains two custom mouthpieces and a bottle of teeth-whitening solution.

You line the trays with the whitening solution and wear them for several hours a day, whenever is most convenient. Take-home whitening trays don’t provide immediate results, but they’re a safe and affordable treatment option.

How can I extend the results of teeth whitening?

The results of teeth whitening tend to last four to six months,* but it's possible to extend them. Dr. Kakosian recommends brushing your teeth twice daily, visiting DentAlign NYC every six months for an oral exam and professional teeth cleaning, and wearing a mouthguard when playing sports.

If you use tobacco, try to quit and if you drink dark beverages like coffee or black tea, use a straw. Minor adjustments like these can make all the difference.

To request your teeth-whitening consultation at DentAlign NYC: Kenn Kakosian DDS PhD, call the office or click the online booking tool today. 

*Individual results may vary.