Teeth Whitening in San Francisco & Glendale, CA

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that brightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discoloration. It is one of the most commonly done cosmetic dental procedures.

Professional vs. Commercial Over-the-Counter Treatments

A teeth whitening procedure brightens teeth and improves the appearance of smiles. Both commercially available at-home treatments and professionally done in-office treatments can whiten a patient’s teeth, and both options offer patients a chance to enhance and brighten their smiles. However, professional in-office teeth whitening is much faster than over-the-counter at-home treatment and delivers more dramatic results. 

How Is Teeth Whitening Done?

Our dentist will apply a peroxide bleaching solution directly to the teeth. This bleaching solution is much stronger than anything available over-the-counter at the drugstore or grocery store. Two or more applications may be needed to achieve the desired level of brightness. 

Patients may also be provided with take-home whitening trays to supplement their in-office treatment or if they prefer to do their treatments at home. These custom-fit trays are worn over the teeth for a set number of hours each day until the desired results are achieved. 

Since the efficacy and longevity of professional-grade products are superior to anything individuals can purchase at retail locations, dentists often recommend professional in-office treatment for anyone who wants the fastest and most dramatic results possible.

Different Types of Professional Teeth Whitening Procedures

Teeth whitening procedures fall into two basic categories:

• Professionally applied in-office systems.
• Professionally applied take-home systems.

In-Office Whitening

Your dentist will carefully apply a prescription-strength bleaching gel to your teeth. The bleach is activated by a special light that causes it to penetrate the teeth, breaking up stains and discoloration. This type of tooth whitening usually requires only one office visit since the procedure is so efficient.

At-Home Whitening

If you prefer to have a professional-grade treatment but done in the comfort of your home, you could use a take-home kit provided by our dentist. This kit includes custom trays and a professional-strength whitening solution that is stronger than what you can buy at the drugstore. You’ll place the solution in the tray and wear it for the amount of time prescribed by our dentist. Depending on the strength of the solution and the severity of staining, you might have to wear the trays for several hours per day, such as during sleep, to achieve the desired results.

Are Teeth Whitening Treatments Safe?

Teeth whitening products contain peroxide, which naturally breaks down into water, oxygen, and hydrogen. When used correctly, the results of teeth whitening are completely safe.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

Results vary, but studies have shown that most consumers retain their results for about six months. 

To learn more about our dental services, call Presidio Dental and schedule an initial consultation with one of our experienced dentists. We have dental offices at two convenient locations - San Francisco, CA, and Glendale, CA.