Teeth Whitening

Bringing Out Your Very Best Smile

Most people would like to smile with confidence, knowing their teeth are white, shiny and healthy looking. And one of the simplest, most effective and safe means of achieving this is through dentist-supervised tooth whitening. Dr. Rothenberger is pleased to be one of the few dentists in Indiana to offer the revolutionary Nite-White process, which creates a lasting and rightly matched shade and causes minimal sensitivity. It is an extremely successful treatment that has resulted in overwhelming patient satisfaction at Aesthetics and Gentle Family Dental.

Whitening can keep your teeth lighter and brighter for up to five years. As far as safety, several recent studies have proven whitening both safe and effective. Several of the required products have also received the American Dental Association’s seal of approval. Occasionally, patients may notice slight gum irritation or tooth sensitivity during the process, but this is controllable with our careful supervision and typically disappears when the treatment ends.

Successful & Satisfying

If you’re considering whitening your teeth, simply talk with Dr. Rothenberger regarding how the results could impact your particular situation. Of the two systems we offer, office-based laser whitening or supervised home-whitening, he’ll help you determine which procedure will best suit your needs. Also, he’ll discuss with you the criteria for best results, recognizing that some people are simply better candidates than others for a successful whitening treatment. For example, if your teeth are darkened to a yellow, brown or orange tinge due to age, coffee, tea or smoking, chances are good that you’ll be very satisfied with the results of your whitening. In fact, about 90 percent of patients find this to be the case. However, if your teeth are a dark gray tone from fluorosis, smoking or tetracycline use, whitening results may be less dramatic. Further, it’s important to know that whitening does not lighten artificial materials such as resins, silicants or porcelains. Finally, sensitive teeth, teeth with periodontal disease, and teeth with worn enamel typically do not respond well to whitening.

Simple & Systematic

We offer two methods of whitening: in-office laser whitening, and supervised at-home whitening. If you choose the laser technique, we’ll perform the treatment in our office in one or two appointments. Typically, this involves applying a special chemical gel to the teeth, then applying a laser light to activate the gel and whiten the teeth. You’ll see results almost immediately! On the other hand, you may opt for the less expensive supervised at-home whitening process, requiring a few separate steps. First, Dr. Rothenberger or one of our hygienists will make impressions of your teeth. We send this to a dental laboratory to create a comfortable, lightweight, customized whitening tray appliance. These thin trays are comfortable enough to be worn night or day, during conversation, working or sleeping. Upon receipt of the trays and usage instructions, we’ll also provide you with all the proper whitening materials and a list of recommended session lengths. Typically, a system including two to four treatment hours per day will require three to six weeks to complete; those including nighttime wear may be completed within 10 to 14 days.

Spectacular, Shiny Smile

Although we can’t predict exactly how light your teeth will become, we generally expect to see a two-shade improvement as indicated on Dr. Rothenberger’s shade guide. Of course, it’s important to note that you can best preserve your new, brighter smile by eliminating any habits such as smoking, drinking coffee and drinking tea. If you do notice that your teeth are less bright in one to five years, you can choose to have a touch-up. In fact, the second procedure is usually less costly than the first, as the original whitening trays may often be reused. Second treatments generally require less treatment time.

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