We’ve learned that at home teeth whitening treatments may not last as long as we want them to and results may take more effort and time. So, if you want instant pearly whites that will last longer and with minimal effort, professional teeth whitening is the way to go!

Here is  the different types of  treatments, and how long you can expect the results to last.

1.Dental Chairside or In-Office Bleaching

This is a teeth whitening treatment whereby your dentist uses a bleaching agent to whiten your teeth in a single visit. The big advantage of this method over at-home bleaching kits is that the dentist can monitor the process and make sure that your gums and other tissues are protected from the bleach.

Teeth Whitening Tip: At Blyss Dental, I apply a teeth desensitizer that helps reduce teeth sensitivity caused by whitening treatments. Plus, the whitening agent that we use has 30% hydrogen peroxide which makes it more effective compared to the 6% hydrogen peroxide found in over-the-counter products.

The results of dental chairside or in-office bleaching are long-lasting but not permanent. With proper care, your brighter smile can last for 1-3 years.

 Getting teeth whitening bleaching

A single session may last anywhere between 40 minutes to an hour. The procedure requires applying a specially formulated gel that contains anywhere between 25% to 40% hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to whiten the teeth.

As you consume staining foods and drinks—think coffee, tea, red wine, and cigarettes—your teeth will eventually become stained again. However, you can touch up your teeth with additional bleaching treatments as needed.

2.At-Home Teeth Whitening with Professional Supervision

It is a treatment where patients are given a teeth whitening kit to use at home under the guidance of their dentist.

Patients are provided with custom-fitted trays taken from the impressions of their teeth. The resulting mold is then used for making the custom teeth whitening trays. The dentist will then place a bleaching solution inside after the trays are made.

At Blyss Dental, we use a digital scanner making it a more comfortable experience for you.

You may have to wear the trays overnight for 7 to 15 days. You should expect to see a positive and noticeable change within the two-week timeframe. The results may last for at least one year or longer.

This is one of the best teeth whitening options in San Diego nowadays. The process is simple and convenient, not to mention comfortable as you can wear them at your preferred time of the day without having to schedule a visit to the dentist’s office.

3.KöR Teeth Whitening System

This system uses a specific peroxide formulation with a high percentage of free radicals to penetrate the teeth and bleach discolored enamel. What makes KöR’s formula so useful are the specialized trays and formula which prevent saliva from mixing with the whitening gel.

Saliva contains an enzyme called peroxidase, which acts as an antioxidant to neutralize peroxide and make it less potent. KöR’s design and formulation prevent this from happening so that the whitening treatment is successful.

KöR Teeth Whitening System starts by making molds of your teeth to have your customized, ultra-comfortable KöR-Seal whitening trays fabricated.

During a follow-up appointment, you will receive your custom-made teeth whitening trays, KöR whitening gel, a desensitizing gel, and instructions on how to use your KöR Whitening Deep Bleaching System. You will have to wear your KöR-Seal Trays at home for two weeks during nighttime.

Two weeks after your at-home teeth bleaching, you will need to come back to our office for an in-office whitening session. The length of this session will be one to two hours.

KöR Whitening is the only teeth whitening method that is permanent, easy to maintain at home, and effective against all common staining agents such as coffee, tea, and red wine. In fact, it is the only recognized system in the world to whiten tetracycline-stained teeth which were previously thought impossible to fix.

Once you achieve the desired results, we recommend periodic at-home maintenance to help keep your teeth permanently white and bright. That may involve wearing your custom KöR-Seal Trays one night each month.

These results are clinically shown to lighten teeth by up to 16 shades or more. Typically, you will begin to see results some weeks after the procedure. And depending on how you care for your teeth, the result can last as long as six months to three years after the procedure.

Teeth Whitening Tip: The results from the procedure and its duration vary from one person to another. The more you consistently practice good oral hygiene, the longer the results of your treatment last.

4.Laser Teeth Whitening

This process uses a pen-like or pocket-size laser to activate a concentrated tooth whitening gel applied to your teeth with a rubber guard and gum protective barrier already in place.

The laser activates and coaxes certain oxygen-rich molecules from the gel. These oxygen-rich molecules target and break down stain molecules, lightening the teeth’s shade and color.

The treatment usually lasts for 30-60 minutes. After the treatment, you may see noticeable results, especially when compared to DIY whitening products at home; however, the full effects of the treatment will typically become visible 2-3 days after the procedure is done.

Teeth Whitening Tip: If you’re looking for professional, reliable teeth whitening in San Diego, then laser teeth whitening is the best option available. This is my go-to method and the one that I always recommend. This is because it produces the best, most consistent, and most professional results that my clients love.

Your newly whitened teeth will be brighter and more beautiful for 6 months or longer (some people say 1+ years) – but that doesn’t mean you can forget about good oral hygiene habits altogether.

It is important to note that they are not permanent like all the other teeth whitening options available in the market. As I mentioned earlier, the longevity of the results also depends on how you take care of your teeth.

Quite a few patients find laser teeth whitening procedures more tolerable in terms of sensitivity and comfort. This treatment is also more long-lasting compared to DIY whitening products at home.

Learn more about the best teeth whitening in San Diego including the pros and cons of each treatment: Best Teeth Whitening Options in San Diego: What You Should Know

What if  teeth start to yellow again after a few months?

A few months ago, you spent the big bucks to get your teeth professionally whitened. And for a while, things were great—you felt confident and proud every time you flashed your smile. But lately, you’ve noticed that your teeth aren’t looking so hot anymore. In fact, they seem to be yellowing again.

So what gives? Is it time to invest in another round of teeth whitening? The short answer is: maybe not.

There are a few different reasons why your teeth might start to yellow again after being professionally whitened. It is not necessarily because the teeth whitening treatment didn’t work.

First off, it’s important to keep in mind that professional teeth whitening is not permanent. Your teeth will eventually start to yellow again as new stains and discoloration develop over time.

In addition, certain foods and drinks (think coffee, tea, and red wine) can cause your teeth to stain more easily. If you’re someone who enjoys these beverages on a regular basis, you might notice that your teeth start to yellow more quickly than someone who doesn’t drink them as often.

Smoking is also a major culprit when it comes to tooth staining—so if you can’t kick the habit, you might want to consider getting your teeth professionally whitened more often.

If you want to touch up your teeth in between dental visits, there are at-home teeth whitening kits that you can use. These are not as strong as the ones used in professional teeth whitening treatments, but they can help to brighten your teeth and maintain your results.

Teeth Whitening Tip: Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings at Blyss Dental so you can keep an eye on your teeth and make sure they stay healthy and beautiful.