Teeth Whitening - Plano, TX

The best cosmetic dentist in Dallas is right here in Plano! Dr.Varun Joseph uses the most conservative, predictable methods for teeth whitening.

Dr. Joseph and his team have years of experience with various whitening systems. They will help you select the whitening product that best suits your needs to reveal a whiter, brighter, more youthful smile at a reasonable cost and in the comfort and privacy of your home.

You control how quickly you uncover your whitest smile under the direct supervision of one of Plano's most highly rated dentists. After your consultation, you will be given custom-made whitening trays, the appropriate strength whitening solution, and complete instructions and follow-up monitoring as desired. The whitening trays are yours to keep, and a refill whitening solution is always available should you want to brighten and "touch-up" your smile.

Adults at least 18 years of age with mostly natural front teeth are ideal candidates for teeth whitening! Dr. Joseph recommends a cleaning and check-up before you begin the whitening process to ensure a healthy mouth free of cavities and stains. Custom whitening trays can be made if desired at this appointment, and the best whitening options are discussed. You can expect a fast result. Most whitening patients achieve their desired shade in as little as 2 weeks!

There are numerous kinds of teeth whitening systems available. However, Dr. Joseph feels that the home whitening process utilizing custom-fit trays made in our office is the safest and most comfortable yet effective system.

Many of our patients have had a "one visit in office" laser or light treatment done and experienced extreme sensitivity and no control over the result. This can take weeks to resolve your discomfort, if at all.

Over-the-counter toothpaste and solutions generally do not produce a noticeable whitening effect, as an effective solution is usually too strong to be used without supervision and prescription. Over-the-counter whitening trays may be ill-fitting (not custom fabricated). They can cause the gel to ooze out and irritate your gums. Store-bought strips may feel like they fit better but the solution they contain is not strong enough to have much effect. They are expensive, and you need a lot of them to get any actual whitening result. Other less conventional over-the-counter methods such as charcoal products and coconut oil are ineffective and unproven.

For the safest and most effective at-home teeth whitening method, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recommends you use custom-fitted trays supplied by your dentist. It is critical to have impressions taken of your mouth and custom trays made for your teeth in a dental laboratory setting. Plano Family Dental has such a lab on the premises. Ill-fitting teeth whitening trays can cause the gel to ooze out and irritate your gums. The appropriate strength solution will be dispensed, and instructions reviewed. As always, the experienced staff at Plano Family Dental is always eager and available to help you with any questions or concerns.

Most patients find that their whiter shade lasts approximately 3 years. Your teeth may lose a few shades of whiteness over the months/years after the active whitening stages. Generally, the teeth do not go back to their original shade but may not stay as bright as they appeared right after treatment. In that case, (or any time you desire), you can simply apply the whitening gel to your trays and restart the process for a few days. The teeth will respond much quicker after the initial whitening period, and most people find they only need to boost the color a few times a year for a few days. Extra whitening is always available to take home. We find most patients will do extra whitening for an upcoming special occasion or photos. Your schedule depends on your circumstances. (Factors include the shade of your natural teeth, the time and consistency with which you used the product, and the strength of the product)

Whitening will not lighten up any existing dental work, such as crowns, bonded (white) restorations, and veneers. If you have existing dental work such as front crowns, veneers, or fillings that you are unhappy with, Dr. Joseph has numerous options to replace, reshape and improve the appearance of your smile. You can visit our smile gallery to see photos of actual cases that our dentist, Dr. Joseph, in Plano has completed. Some patients with existing white fillings choose to whiten first and then replace any existing fillings with their new whiter shade. See our results

Some shade change is permanent for most people, but the enamel is still susceptible to the same staining elements mentioned. Limiting your exposure to these substances, good oral home care and regular professional cleanings will extend the results. When it’s time for a touch-up, let us know and we can provide refill gel. You will use this in your existing custom mouth trays.

It's easy and effective and painless! Some patients have mild sensitivity during the active phase of whitening, which can be remedied with desensitizing toothpaste and products. They usually report significant improvement when the frequency of applications slows down. The great thing about having control at home is that if you experience some sensitivity, you can customize your whitening plan to your comfort level by skipping a day between treatments or temporarily stepping down to a lower-strength solution.

Not all patients experience temporary sensitivity during the active stage of whitening. Numerous desensitizing products available, both over the counter and prescription strength,  and are very effective. Sensitivity is temporary when products are used as directed. The best thing about at-home trays is that you can control the speed of whitening. If you experience any sensitivity, you can skip a day or two between treatments and use a desensitizing product.

This is usually sufficient to remedy the sensitivity. Also, there are different strengths of whitening gel available. You may want to step down the strength slightly. Using the gel for only the recommended time and not leaving the trays in overnight is also helpful in avoiding sensitivity. At-Home whitening gives you the luxury of tailoring your whitening treatment to your needs and time frame.

If your teeth are naturally overly sensitive, or you have any extreme recession or wear on your teeth, you may want to avoid any whitening options. Additionally, whitening is not an option for anyone who is pregnant or has allergies to peroxide products. In this instance, restorative dentistry is a good option. Visit our cosmetic dentistry pages for more information. (link to smile gallery here)

At-home tray whitening systems have been in use since the early 1980s. It is very safe when used as directed, with a product dispensed by a dental professional. At Plano Family Dental, Dr. Joseph uses a very safe and effective carbamide peroxide gel in varying strengths and closely monitors your usage and results. We use Sheer White & Opalescence Products in our office.

Plano Family Dental’s practice is open to new patients and families from all over the DFW area! We are located near US-75 and Parker Road. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. You can call Plano Family Dental at (972) 867-5090 or simply schedule your appointment online with Dr. Varun Joseph.