Sapphire Bleaching
Having a beautiful smile may be easier than you think. Many people achieve the look they’ve been dreaming of with our simple “bleaching” procedure. It’s safe, quick, and inexpensive. Just let us know at any appointment if you would like to begin bleaching. You can lighten only your upper teeth, your lower teeth or both the upper and lower, depending on how much of each shows when you talk and smile.
There are many different causes of tooth discoloration. Tooth staining can be related to medications, smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee, eating or just aging. The Sapphire tooth whitening system is a breakthrough system when it comes to dramatically enhancing the shade of your teeth in a safe and effective manner. It uses a unique and versatile Plasma Arc Light and professional grade teeth whitening gel. Clinical results have shown that teeth can be whitened up to ten shades with the system. The Sapphire light adapts it broad spectrum technology to cure the gel. This is more desirable compared to the sometimes high concentration of peroxide gel that can be used with other whitening systems. The Sapphire ™ Chairside professional teeth whitening system is manufactured by the Den-mat Corporation, who has a long and active history associated with the development and manufacturing of products for use in the cosmetic dentistry industry. The Sapphire ™ Chairside tooth whitening system utilizes a hydrogen peroxide-based bleaching gel. This whitener has a 25% hydrogen peroxide concentration and a pH of 7.
The company states that they include a desensitizing agent in their whitener’s formulation so to help minimize the potential for bleaching relates sensitivity. The Sapphire ™ Chairside teeth whitening system protocol states that the use of a bleaching light is optional. However, for optimal performance, the plasma arc light unit is recommended. The wavelength of the light emitted from this unit is in the blue-green range. The implication associated with the use of a bleaching light is that the company believes that light of this specific wavelength activates some aspect of the Sapphire ™ tooth whitener so to enhance its whitening effect. The unit filters out the infrared emissions created by the plasma arc light so that it does not create a heating effect on the teeth being treated.
If you begin the bleaching treatment, we will first need you to fill a questionnaire and discuss with you what your goals are as well as what is your mouth’s condition. We then begin by taking pictures of your mouth and your face. After that, we begin the bleaching treatment. For your convenience, you are also provided with a special bleaching agent that you can carry with you wherever you go. It is similar to a pen except it has a brush at the end; it is called BriteSmile. With only a few hours of wear per day, the bleaching agent bubbles stains right out of your enamel in a very short time without altering tooth structure or existing dental work in any way. When your teeth reach the brightness you want, only occasional treatment is needed to maintain your new smile. We’ll want to take “after” photos at your next appointment.
Dental bleaching can be used to correct many tooth discolorations. However, in cases of extreme tooth discoloration, crowns or veneers may be the only choice. But because of the low cost of bleaching treatments, bleaching is nearly always worth a solid try. Over-the-counter bleaching agents are available at drug stores and pharmacies. However, since these products can harm the gums and teeth, it’s better to use products that our practice recommends.
