Why You Need Custom Teeth Whitening Trays…
Everyone knows that our teeth are our greatest accessory, and nobody deserves a smile that they are less than happy with. Having custom teeth whitening trays made at Dr. Thomas L. Anderson and Associates dental office is an easy way to restore your teeth to their earlier brightness!
One main reason people stay away from bleaching is because it can be quite costly. Even if a patient has dental insurance, often teeth whitening is not covered, because they consider it a “cosmetic” procedure.
There are several different ways patients try to get a whiter smile. One of those ways is buying whitening toothpaste from the store. All toothpastes help remove surface stains because they contain mild abrasives. Some “whitening” toothpastes contain gentle polishing or chemical agents that remove surface stains a little better, but they can remove surface stains only and do not contain bleach.
In office whitening is very effective, but it can cost up to five-hundred dollars depending on what part of the country you are located. Another downside to in-office bleaching is the sensitivity it causes. People with sensitive teeth should be wary about in-office bleaching.
Custom teeth whitening trays are fitted to your teeth, and can be made at one of our three convenient locations. Custom teeth whitening trays give great results in two weeks’ time, and allow the patient more control if there is sensitivity. If you are feeling sensitive, just skip a night! Again, they can be a big expense too. Some dental offices charge up to four-hundred dollars for a take-home whitening kit.
Thomas L. Anderson believes everyone deserves a brighter smile. In his office he offers custom teeth whitening trays at half the price, making up for the fact that insurance won’t help you dazzle your smile! Other than pricing alone, patients have other concerns when using custom teeth whitening trays. A lot of our patients are concerned that whitening can harm their enamel, but it does not. The way whitening works is by opening the pores of the teeth allowing the cleaning agent in the bleach to get stains out of the inner structures of the teeth. Overtime the pores close back, and you get a dazzling smile with healthy enamel!
Another concern patients have is getting their teeth too white. I have had many patients say, “I don’t want my teeth to look like Ross on that episode of FRIENDS!” You know the one where his teeth are glowing in the black light! Our teeth are translucent, and underneath our pearly whites is a layer of tooth called dentin. Dentin is yellow in color, and will always reflect a natural yellow under shade. So rest assured, when you see “fake” looking or too white of smiles in Hollywood magazines, they are either porcelain veneers or photo shopped!
Other patients think that once you have bleached your teeth you can never drink red wine or coffee. If this were true, no one would want to whiten their teeth! Sure, during the bleaching process while the pores in your teeth are open you want to stay away from staining coffees or teas, but afterwards you can eat and drink as normal.
The bleaching agents used do not work through plaque on the teeth, so we always recommend one or two nights of touch up bleaching right after your six month cleaning appointment. It would take years for your teeth to return to your starting shade after bleaching, but by using this touch up method you can keep your smile shining bright all of the time!
Make an appointment to be fitted for your custom teeth whitening trays today for a younger, brighter smile! Whether you live closer to our location on the Country Club Plaza, the Independence/Lee’s Summit area or in Downtown Kansas City, the team and doctors at Thomas L. Anderson and Associates would love to be your family’s dental home. Please contact us and schedule an appointment today.