Teeth Whitening

Keeping your smile at its brightest can be a challenge. Foods, drinks, and lifestyle factors can all leave your teeth discolored, and no amount of brushing them may help. Professional teeth whitening in El Cajon at Highland Smiles Dentistry allows you to restore your teeth and see a smile that looks better than ever.

What Types of Teeth Whitening Do We Offer?

We offer two avenues for whitening your teeth at Highland Smiles Dentistry. Both options use medical-grade materials and involve working with a cosmetic dental expert.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

In-office whitening involves having your treatment directly with Dr. Mansour. You come in for a visit and leave with a brighter smile.

Take-Home Whitening Kits

Take-home kits allow you to apply the whitening solution at home according to your own schedule. This also produces impressive results but will show more gradual improvements.
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What Is the Process for Getting Whiter Teeth?

Step 1: The Consultation

The process for whitening differs for in-office and take-home. However, both options start with a consultation with Dr. Mansour. During your visit, you can go over your goals with Dr. Mansour, and he will conduct an exam to see the state of your teeth.

Step 2:Start Whitening

In-Office: If you choose in-office whitening, you can sometimes have your treatment on the same day. The treatment involves Dr. Mansour applying a whitening agent to the teeth and activating it with a special light. He then leaves the solution on your teeth for a set amount of time before removing them and cleaning off your teeth. Typically, a visit will last about 1 hour in total, and at the end of it, your teeth should be notably whiter.
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Take-home Trays: First, we need to take impressions of your teeth to set you up with custom-fit trays. Having trays that fit properly ensures even whitening across your teeth. Once your trays are ready, you can take them home and start whitening your teeth. You will place a whitening gel into the trays and then carefully place them over your teeth. You leave these trays on for a set time and then remove them. You will need to repeat the process several times over the coming weeks since the take-home solution is less intensive than the in-office one.

Step 3:Additional Treatments

Some patients may need more than one session to fully lift stains from their teeth. Additionally, teeth whitening can eventually fade as new stains build up. Patients can come in and have a quick touch-up treatment to maintain their results.
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We believe every patient should feel that their smile is something to readily and confidently share with those around them.

Is Teeth Whitening Right for Me?

Teeth whitening can give many patients back a smile they thought long lost. However, we want to ensure it is a good fit for a patient before proceeding with the treatment. Teeth whitening is best for patients with discolored teeth that are otherwise healthy or undamaged. Additionally, severe stains may be better treated by another cosmetic option (which we do offer).
Alternative solutions for stained teeth can include:
  • Dental Bonding: A quick treatment that can cover a severely stained or discolored tooth. Results can last between 3 and 10 years.
  • Dental Veneers: Thin porcelain shells placed over a tooth that hide and decay. Veneers can last over 10 years in most patients.

How Long Do Teeth Whitening Results Last?

Professional teeth whitening can last for months to years, depending on your habits and oral hygiene. Proper dental hygiene and routine dental care can help your results last for 3 years or more. On the other hand, consuming staining foods and drinks can act against your results. Avoid excess consumption of items like red wine, coffee, tea, and berries. Additionally, we recommend avoiding any tobacco use. Not only does it increase the risk of several types of cancer, but it also can stain your smile.
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Book Your Consultation

Dr. Mansour has helped countless patients find a way back to a bright and radiant smile. Book your consultation for teeth whitening in El Cajon today by calling the Highland Smiles Dentistry Office or using our online form.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does teeth whitening cost?

Professional teeth whitening comes in two formats: an in-office procedure and at-home whitening kits provided by your dentist. In-office teeth whitening costs between $600 and $ 1,500, depending on the type of whitening used, your initial concerns, and your desired results. The price of at-home whitening kits provided by your dentist ranges from $300 to $600, depending on the number of whitening trays required and the length of the treatment. 

Teeth whitening results can last between 6 months and 3 years, depending on your oral hygiene, diet, and lifestyle. To preserve the results of your teeth whitening for as long as possible, it is recommended to abstain from smoking, avoid staining foods and beverages, and maintain a thorough daily oral hygiene routine.

Professional teeth whitening is a safe procedure when performed responsibly after a thorough examination of your oral health. A reputable dentist will always ensure your tooth enamel is strong and tailor the whitening procedure to your needs and goals, helping prevent enamel and gum damage. However, over-the-counter whitening solutions are never safe, as they are not custom-made and can result in burnt gums, permanent enamel damage, and tooth sensitivity. 

Professional teeth whitening can make your teeth up to 8 shades whiter in just one dental visit. However, the results you get will depend on the type of stains you have, the condition of your teeth enamel, and your general oral health. People with weaker enamel may be recommended to opt for gentler whitening solutions and less dramatic or gradual results to avoid permanent enamel damage.

Professional teeth whitening can cause temporary sensitivity, which typically resolves within 7 to 10 days as the enamel heals after the procedure. Tooth sensitivity after whitening occurs because the bleaching agents temporarily make your tooth enamel more porous, allowing the dark pigment in its deeper layers to be removed. 

On the other hand, over-the-counter whitening solutions can cause permanent tooth sensitivity by irreversibly damaging enamel.

An in-office whitening procedure typically takes 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of whitening used and the results you want to achieve. An in-office procedure offers immediate results. At-home whitening treatment with kits provided by your dentist can take 1 to 4 weeks, depending on how often you wear your whitening trays for 1 to several hours a day. The length of the full treatment depends on the strength of the solution you can use safely and the results you want to achieve. With at-home professional whitening, you will see gradual improvements, with full results achieved by the end of the treatment course.

To have an effective, risk-free professional teeth whitening, you need to be at least 16 years old and have healthy teeth, strong tooth enamel, and healthy gums. People with weaker enamel may benefit from professional whitening in some cases, but your dentist will typically use a weaker solution and a shorter application time. Also, people with dental restorations on the front teeth, or pregnant or breastfeeding women, are not recommended to have teeth whitening.

Provided that our cosmetic dentist is available, we may offer you a same-day teeth whitening procedure. Do not hesitate to contact our office at (619) 333-5986, and we will do our best to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

Accessibility Statement: Our office is committed to providing accessible care for all patients and strives to comply with ADA accessibility standards. If you need assistance or accommodations, please contact our office at (619) 333-5986 and we will be happy to help.

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