Whitening Trays for a Brighter Smile

Have you noticed your teeth yellowing over time? Maybe you have always wanted a beautiful white smile. Or perhaps you are not happy with the staining that has occurred as a result of drinking coffee, tea, or soda. Whatever the reason, you are not alone in wanting to whiten your teeth.

Just like we all have different skin colors, people also have different tooth colors. Some people naturally have a more yellow smile, while others yellow over time. Your natural tooth color can also be affected by many factors.

Surface staining and internal discoloration can be caused by:

Natural Aging
Tobacco Use (smoked or chewed)
Drinking coffee, tea, soda or red wine
Plaque and tartar build-up
Treatment with the antibiotic tetracycline during childhood
Traumatic injuries to teeth. This can cause a tooth to become some shade of brown, gray, or even black

There are many reasons to whiten your teeth, such as:

Improved appearance
Boost in self-confidence, or self-esteem
A special event, such as a wedding or important job interview
Reverse years of everyday staining

Before beginning any teeth whitening procedures, it is important to consult with your dentist to discuss your whitening options. Your dentist will want to complete a general check-up and cleaning if you are due and treat any existing dental problems you may have before beginning the whitening process.

At Thomas L. Anderson and Associates we provide our patients with a convenient and simple teeth whitening option, custom teeth whitening trays! Our custom teeth whitening trays make it easy to improve your smile at home!

How does the process work? An impression of your teeth will be taken in office by the dental team. Your custom teeth whitening trays will be fabricated from these impressions. This usually takes our team 1-2 days to complete.

You will then come in for a follow-up appointment to deliver your custom teeth whitening trays, and a member of our dental team will go over the instructions for proper at home use. Typical instructions will inform you to place a small amount of the bleaching solution into the clear trays and wear the trays for up to four hours a day for one to two weeks. Patients are often amazed at how much whitening takes place during this time, and an occasional treatment now and then is all you’ll need to keep your teeth looking their best.

With all the options available to you, why should you choose custom teeth whitening trays? Many over-the-counter products are available for whitening teeth without dentist supervision. However, for the most effective and safest whitening treatment, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry recommends using custom teeth whitening trays made by your dentist. Tooth-whitening gel can leak out of ill-fitting trays causing irritation to your gums, as well as not whitening as efficiently as custom trays. With trays that specifically fit your mouth and bite, you can avoid these problems.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment for teeth whitening with any of our skilled dentists at one of our three conveniently located dental office locations within the Kansas City area, including Lee’s Summit / Independence, the Country Club Plaza and Downtown Kansas City. The gentle dentists and expert team at Thomas L. Anderson and Associates look forward to working with you to treat your dental emergency, achieve proper oral health and a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime. If you have any questions about your dental insurance benefits, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to review your policy! Please give us a call today to schedule an appointment and become part of our dental family.