BriteSmile FAQ's
How white will my teeth get?
How long does it last?
How does it work?
Is it safe?
Will it hurt?
How does BriteSmile compare to other whitening
options?
Will my dental insurance cover it?
Is it for everyone?
How old do you have to be?
Will it whiten my existing crowns/veneers/etc.?
Can I have this done if I am pregnant?
What other types of dental work do you do?
How can I maintain my new white teeth?
How do I get started?
How white will my teeth get?
In clinical studies, BriteSmile has been able to achieve over 8+ shades
whiter on average. Your results of course will vary as your starting
point maybe different and everyone's teeth respond a little differently,
but in virtually all cases, the results are dramatic. Ultimately, the
goal will be to achieve your optimum, natural whiteness. During the
consultation, the dentist will go over what you personally can expect
for your individual situation. Severe discoloration can be treated and
yield good results in many instances. However, the more difficult cases
can sometimes require a more lengthy treatment than the standard
one-hour treatment.
[return
to top]
How long does it last?
The long-term results depend primarily on the individual. Certain
habits, such as the use of tobacco products, drinking a lot of coffee,
tea, dark soft drinks, and infrequent visits to the dentist for regular
cleanings, etc., can work against the results. Regular professional care
and use of the BriteSmile Professional Whitening After Care products can
help maintain your natural whiteness for up to 2 years or more. Some
people may prefer to do the BriteSmile whitening treatment more
frequently.
[Return to top]
How does it work?
The BriteSmile dentist will first examine your teeth and gums for
good oral health. Next as you relax in the chair, our proprietary
whitening gel is applied to your teeth and the revolutionary, patented
BriteSmile light will be positioned over your teeth to activate the gel.
As you watch TV, listen to music or nap, your teeth will lighten and
your natural whiteness will be restored in about an hour through a
completely safe process of oxidation. Because of our unique chemistry
and revolutionary blue wavelength light, a process that used to take
many hours can now be accomplished in just one hour.
[Return
to top]
Is it safe?
Yes. The BriteSmile procedure will not soften enamel or existing
fillings. The primary ingredient in the BriteSmile's gel is hydrogen
peroxide, which has been safely used in teeth whitening for over 100
years and is recognized as an effective whitening ingredient by the
dental community. The percentage of hydrogen peroxide used in
BriteSmile's proprietary gel is only 15%, much lower than other
whitening gels that often contain 35%-50% hydrogen peroxide. If you
would like to read more about the safety of the BriteSmile treatment,
please
click here.
[Return
to top]
Will it hurt?
The majority of our clients experience no pain or sensitivity after the
BriteSmile Professional Teeth Whitening treatment. A very small
percentage of customers may experience a minor dull "ache" following the
procedure. Taking some sort of analgesic almost always resolves the
feeling. It is best to avoid very hot or very cold drinks for the first
24 hours if there is any tooth sensitivity.
[Return
to top]
How does BriteSmile compare to other
whitening options?
BriteSmile offers the most advanced technology available in teeth
whitening. Clinical studies have proven BriteSmile whitens an average of
8+ shades in one hour. Compare this to a leading tray system which
achieved only 6 shades and took weeks. In fact, many tray users never
achieve even a few shades, as it is difficult to complete the regimen -
night after night sleeping with trays full of bleaching gel, often
accompanied by sensitivity and gum irritation. As you can see,
BriteSmile is a tremendous value by comparison.
Incidentally, the same study showed that a
leading whitening toothpaste was only able to achieve 1.5 shades of
improvement after an entire month of use.
[Return
to top]
Will my dental insurance cover this
procedure?
No. As with most cosmetic dental procedures, insurance will not cover
the treatment cost, however, it may be able to be reimbursed out of a
pre-tax medical expense account if offered by your employer.
[Return
to top]
Is this procedure for everyone?
Virtually everyone wanting to whiten his or her teeth can benefit from
using BriteSmile - including people with severe food, coffee, tobacco or
tetracycline stains. The dental examination by the BriteSmile dentist
will determine if you are a good candidate for whitening at the time of
your appointment. If the BriteSmile dentist uncovers a condition that
would delay whitening, you will be referred back to your primary dentist
for possible treatment.
[Return
to top]
How old do you have to be?
Currently, the minimum age is 14 years old, with clinical proof of
safety and effectiveness. Young adults 14+ are good candidates for the
procedure, particularly if they have heavy staining after orthodontic
treatment is complete and their braces are removed.
[Return to top]
Will the procedure whiten my existing
crowns/veneers/bonds, etc.?
The BriteSmile Professional Teeth Whitening treatment has been
successful at removing stains from caps, veneers or bonded teeth.
However, a whitening treatment in general cannot change the original
color of the caps, veneers or bonds. We recommend that you discuss your
situation with a BriteSmile dentist to determine what you can expect.
[Return
to top]
Can I have this done if I am pregnant?
BriteSmile recommends that
you not do this process while nursing or pregnant. While we have no data
that suggests BriteSmile would be problematic for pregnant women, we
simply choose not to do so. Rather, we recommend that patients wait
until after childbirth and/or nursing, to have our whitening process
performed.
[Return
to top]
Are other types of dental work - cleanings,
fillings, crowns, cosmetic, etc. - performed at the BriteSmile
Professional Teeth Whitening Centers?
The BriteSmile Professional Teeth Whitening Centers focus exclusively on
teeth whitening. If you have other dental needs, you should see your
regular dentist before going to a BriteSmile Professional Teeth
Whitening Center. However, most BriteSmile Associated Centers , which
are in dentists' offices, do offer other services. Please call to find
out more information.
[Return
to top]
How can I maintain my new white teeth?
We recommend the following to maintain your new BriteSmile:
