During this quick checkup, we will make sure you don’t have signs of active gum disease or untreated tooth decay or dental restorations that are leaking or crumbling. Aging restorations and untreated dental disease allow the teeth whitening gel to penetrate your teeth more deeply than is desirable, potentially causing sensitivity and tooth pain. Existing dental restorations like crowns, bridges, veneers, and composite resin fillings will not change color during teeth whitening. You may need to replace these restorations to create a whiter and evenly colored smile.
Some teeth might whiten less effectively than others. For example, a tooth that is internally stained by an older root canal treatment may need another method to whiten it effectively. Sometimes it is possible to bleach teeth internally, but we may suggest covering the tooth entirely with a restoration like a crown or a veneer.