We Make it Easy to get a Brighter, Whiter Smile
How Does Teeth Whitening Help Remove Stains?
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
Zoom
Zoom In-Office Whitening Treatment
- Your mouth is prepped for whitening and a gel is applied to your teeth
- A blue LED lamp is shined onto your teeth. This speeds up the whitening process.
- The gel is removed, reapplied and the light is used two additional times.
- 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
- Put a small (teardrop sized) dollop of whitening gel into each impression in your trays
- Put your trays over your teeth for the prescribed amount of time
- Brush your teeth and rinse your trays
- The process repeats daily for around two weeks
GlossRay Take Home
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
