Teeth Whitening at Our Fort Collins Dental Office

We Make it Easy to get a Brighter, Whiter Smile

Teeth whitening is the process of getting rid of discolorations and stains from the tooth enamel – which is the outside layer of the tooth – as well as the dentin which lies beneath the enamel.

Enamel is very thin and is a lighter color than the underlying dentin. The enamel can accumulate stains over time from what we consume. The following foods are notorious for staining teeth: coffee, red wine, tea, dark juices, and dark-colored sauces. Bad habits like smoking and smokeless tobacco (dip) can also make teeth appear much darker than your natural tooth color. Age can also contribute to the enamel taking on a darker shade.

Poor oral hygiene habits can also contribute to the staining of your teeth. Combined with bad habits or consuming things that are known to stain teeth can further compound staining issues.

How Does Teeth Whitening Help Remove Stains?

Whitening your teeth can remove these discolorations and staining and gives you a more white, radiant smile. Whitening involves the use of a whitening solution that is able to penetrate the enamel and dentin, oxidize these stain-causing substances, and make your smile whiter and brighter.

Our Whitening Solutions

At our dental office in Fort Collins, we offer three Whitening Options to deliver you a brighter smile: GlossRay, Whitening Pens, Opalescence and Zoom Teeth Whitening systems

Opalescence

Opalescence is able to remove stains through their patented whitening agent formulated gel that contains potassium nitrate and fluoride to aid in post operative sensitivity. We have take home refill dispensers of bleach ranging from 10-45 % bleach that can be used in invisalign, night guards or personalized take home trays. To get to one’s maximum whitening it normally takes about 2 weeks..

Zoom

We also offer Zoom at our Fort Collins Dentist office. Zoom also has multiple treatment options – both in-office and at home.

Zoom In-Office Whitening Treatment

The appointment is scheduled for 2 hours, but it has the potential to get your teeth up to 5 shades whiter.

Here’s the tooth whitening treatment:

1. Your mouth is prepped for whitening and a gel is applied to your teeth
2. A blue LED lamp is shined onto your teeth. This speeds up the whitening process.
3. The gel is removed, reapplied and the light is used two additional times.
4. You now have significantly whiter teeth – multiple shades whiter – reaching your desired shade. A post-treatment gel is applied. This will protect your teeth and reduce any possible sensitivity.

Zoom At-Home Treatment: Zoom Take Home Trays

With Zoom take-home trays, you’ll first meet for an exam and consultation at our Fort Collins Dental office. You’ll discuss your whitening goals with our dentist.

You’ll receive a Day White take home kit that you’ll use for your treatment. The kit includes shade guide, premade trays, whitening gel, tray case, mouth rinse and whitening toothpaste.

At the end of two weeks, your teeth will be noticeably whiter.

Using at Home Zoom Trays:

1. Put a small (teardrop sized) dollop of whitening gel into each impression in your trays
2. Put your trays over your teeth for the prescribed amount of time
3. Brush your teeth and rinse your trays
4. The process repeats daily for around two weeks

GlossRay Take Home

With GlossRay 3D Pro Advanced Teeth Whitening System it is a kit ready to take home the same day as any appointment. With this system patients can effectively whiten teeth WITHOUT sensitivity using the most advanced technology with a powerful vegan gel formula. Noticeable results after only one treatment, for stains caused by coffee, wine, tea, smoking, genetic, tetracycline, food coloring, aging, and other kinds of yellow teeth.

The kit includes three whitening gel pens, usb charging cable, whitening mouth tray and LED 20 UV whitening light. Bleach for just 10 minutes a day for two weeks to reach maximum whitening.

Teeth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

This will vary widely depending on the teeth whitening treatment as well as your eating, drinking, and oral hygiene habits. Anywhere from six months to three years is a reasonable estimate.

If you maintain good oral hygiene and avoid smoking, stain-causing food and drink, the effects will last longer.

Why Do My Teeth Hurt After Using Over the Counter At Home Whitening Strips?

Unfortunately, teeth whitening strips can cause a burning sensation in your gums and teeth. This is especially true if you aren’t using the whitening strips properly – which is quite common.

The bleaching agent is peroxide (either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) which is effective at getting rid of stains, but it can cause unintentional problems with your gums and teeth if not used properly.

Your gums may become inflamed and painful. Your teeth may even hurt. If you notice the burning sensation during applying the whitening product on your own, stop. Failing to stop when first feeling pain can lead to more serious gum inflammation and tooth pain.

Coming into the office and having your professional teeth whitening treatment plan created and monitored by a dentist can greatly reduce the risk of gum and tooth irritation.

How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost and Is it Covered by Dental Insurance?

The costs will vary greatly based on all of the different treatment options that we have available. We frequently run specials for teeth whitening, so be sure to contact our office for details.

As far as insurance is concerned, teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure and is usually not covered by insurance. You can call our office to make sure – as we are experts with insurance and can double-check with your insurance company to see if it is covered.

The good news is that we offer a wide variety of flexible payment options. We accept CareCredit financing and even offer an in-house dental plan to help make it easier for you to get dental treatment.

What Should I Eat After Teeth Whitening?

After a teeth whitening procedure, your teeth may be temporarily more susceptible to staining for a period of time. For that reason, you’ll want to avoid the same food and drink mentioned earlier that can stain teeth (coffee, wine, chocolate). Also, avoid tobacco use of any kind.

You’re better off following a “white diet” of foods that are less likely to stain your teeth. This can include items like bread, bananas, rice, and potatoes.

Dr. Murphy will advise what is best for you after your whitening treatment