Teeth Whitening – Los Gatos, CA
Brighten Your Grin and Boost Your Confidence
Are you feeling self-conscious about stains on your teeth, or do you want to enhance your smile to look your best for an upcoming momentous occasion? If so, Dr. Herrera and the rest of our team can help brighten your grin and boost your confidence with professional teeth whitening.
We offer both in-office procedures and take-home solutions, so you can choose the method that works best for you. Continue reading to learn more about this popular cosmetic service, and please contact us to schedule an appointment.
Why Choose Christina Herrera, DDS for Teeth Whitening?
- In-Office & Take-Home Solutions Available
- Custom-Fitted Applicator Trays for Improved Accuracy
- Consistent, Reliable Results
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Anyone who’s unhappy with the color of their teeth can benefit from professional whitening treatments, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the right approach for meeting everyone’s unique needs.
For instance, extrinsic stains in your enamel caused by consuming darkly hued foods and drinks often respond better to topical services than intrinsic discoloration that seeps into or begins in the lower layer of dentin. The latter might require multiple applications, or even a different cosmetic service, such as dental bonding or veneers. Our team will examine your condition and devise a customized treatment plan to meet your unique needs.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Our team uses ultra-concentrated Zoom! solutions to lighten your enamel. They contain bleach, which undergoes a chemical reaction to break down the pigmented particles on the surface of your teeth, reducing their size and concentration.
Dr. Herrera offers two potential options, outlined in more detail below.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Unlike store-bought products, which can result in inconsistent coloration or cause sensitivity, we can send you home with everything you need to achieve quality results from your living room.
Our kits include professional-strength gels designed to mitigate potential discomfort and custom-fitted applicator trays for more accurate outcomes. Many patients see changes within just 2 weeks of using the products as directed.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
We also offer in-office whitening procedures for more immediate outcomes. Once the product is applied to your enamel, our team will accelerate the bleaching process by exposing your teeth to a special ultraviolet light.
This can potentially brighten your grin by several shades in a single visit, which can be ideal for those wanting to improve their appearance for an upcoming event.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Once you’ve achieved the perfect shade, you’re likely going to want to do everything you can to preserve the results. Thankfully, there are several ways you can help maintain the ideal hue, including:
- Avoiding foods that stain. Reducing your consumption of common culprits such as tea, coffee, wine, berries, and tomatoes can help prevent further discoloration.
- Implement a routine. Brushing and flossing twice daily removes plaque that gives pigmented particles a textured surface to cling to.
- Retreat as needed. You might require periodic re-applications to maintain just-the-right tone.
- Schedule regular dental checkups. Seeing us every 6 months for a routine checkup and cleaning allows us to monitor your oral health and polish away more recent blemishes.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Teeth whitening in Los Gatos is one of the gentlest treatments in dentistry. Most patients experience little to no discomfort during their visit with Dr. Herrera. Some may notice mild sensitivity in the hours following treatment, especially when eating or drinking hot or cold food and beverages. However, this is temporary and typically goes away on its own within a day or two.
If you already have sensitive teeth, let our team know before your appointment. We can adjust your treatment to keep you as comfortable as possible throughout your treatment and beyond.
What's the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
The biggest difference comes down to concentration. Over-the-counter strips and kits are carefully regulated for safety, which means the whitening agents they contain are much weaker than what's used in a professional gels. They can work for light touch-ups, but they're rarely effective enough to make a difference if you have moderate to severe discoloration.
Professional treatments like Zoom! in-office whitening use higher-concentration hydrogen/ carbamide peroxide gels applied under controlled conditions, which is why results are faster, more even, and far more dramatic than anything you'll find at the drugstore.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
When used as directed by a dental professional, teeth whitening is safe and doesn’t damage your teeth at all. The concern arises with overuse—especially with unsupervised over-the-counter products, where it's easy to apply treatments too frequently or for too long.
This constant use can break down enamel over time and cause lasting sensitivity. That’s why, no matter what whitening you decide to use, we always recommend working with Dr. Herrera. She can give you guidance on safe practices and offer safe, professional treatment when you need it. This lets you get the results you want without putting your teeth at risk.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Unfortunately, no. The same properties that make crowns, veneers, and other restorations resistant to staining also make them resistant to whitening agents. Whitening gel can't penetrate the surface of these materials the way it does with natural enamel.
If you have visible restorations and want a brighter, more uniform smile, our team can discuss your options during a cosmetic dentistry consultation. There, we can discuss a treatment plan to help you achieve the smile you desire within your means. Whether we need to replace older restorations or brighten your smile before placing new ones, we have ways to make your whole smile beautifully brilliant.