Tooth Whitening in St. George, UT

This depends on the individual’s needs and the chosen service. At Plumb Dental, we offer many bleach and non-bleach-containing whitening options, including our in-office bleaching process, Zoom!, which produces an immediate transformation. We also offer take-home kits and other at-home methods, which produce results gradually over time.

Upon examination, Dr. Plumb will help determine which whitening method is best for you. When restoration of natural color is the desired effect, results can oftentimes be achieved without the use of bleach. In these instances, one of our dental professionals will clean, or “scale and polish” the teeth in order to remove surface stains and tartar, which can include stains caused by coffee, red wine, tobacco, and tea. The use of certain medications, some diseases, and aging can also contribute to a lackluster smile and may require the use of whitening methods in order for the stains to be fully removed.

However, when an individual wishes to whiten their teeth beyond their natural shade or for more severe cases, the use of bleach is required. Bleaching solutions generally contain either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, though hydrogen peroxide has nearly triple the strength of carbamide peroxide. Both, however, are safe and effective with minimal side effects. These solutions work by bleaching the tooth enamel to change its color. The peroxide oxidizing solutions penetrate the porous or “voided” areas in the structure of the tooth’s enamel and break down stain deposits within the dentin.

Whitening methods can be done in the office or through the use of take-home kits. In the office, we offer laser-accelerated bleaching, which uses light energy to speed up the bleaching process, and internal bleaching, which is used to reverse discoloration of the teeth caused by internal staining of the dentin. This method is commonly used in treating patients who have undergone endodontic procedures, such as a root canal.

We offer several take-home bleaching treatment options, which can be applied directly or indirectly to the teeth. These options include the use of bleaching pens, bleaching strips, bleaching gel, and whitening toothpastes. Unlike chairside cleaning and in-office bleaching which produce immediate results, our at-home kits are designed to brighten and whiten your smile gradually over the course of a few weeks. Despite taking longer to produce obvious results, these bleaching techniques are safe and effective, and offer few side effects, including increased sensitivity to the teeth and irritation of the gums.