Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures

Teeth stains are all but certain. Whether caused by getting older, smoking, red wine, or food most people experience tooth yellowing at some point. Luckily, you can take simple steps to prevent stains and you can remove them with professional teeth whitening. Sedona Dentist Chris Marsh has used teeth whitening techniques on patients from the Red Rock dental community of Sedona, nearby Cottonwood, Clarkdale and the Village of Oak Creek.

Professional tooth whitening is the most commonly performed cosmetic dentistry technique in the nation, and for very good reasons: it is much more effective, safer, more comfortable, and less exasperating than whitening with a store-bought kit. If your teeth are stained and you feel embarrassed with their appearance, Dr. Chris Marsh, a Sedona Dentist would be happy to discuss your teeth whitening options during your next visit to our Sedona cosmetic dentistry office.

To schedule a tooth whitening consultation with Sedona Dentist Chris Marsh, please call 928-282-3246. We welcome patients living in Sedona and all surrounding areas near Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Cornville and The Village of Oak Creek (Big Park).


Types of Tooth Stains
Our Tooth Whitening Services
Maintaining Teeth Whitening Results
Good Teeth Whitening Candidates
Financing Your Teeth Whitening Procedure
Contact Sedona Dentist Chris Marsh

Types of Tooth Stains

Sedona Teeth Stains | Sedona Tooth Bleaching

There are three types of tooth stains:

  • Stains on the outer layer of the enamel (extrinsic)
  • Stains on the inner layer of the tooth underneath the enamel layer (intrinsic)
  • Age-Related

Extrinsic stains are caused by life choices such as tobacco use, frequent consumption of dark-colored beverages such as coffee, tea and red wine. Sodas and sports drinks or foods can discolor teeth.  Poor teeth brushing habits and infrequent dental visits can contribute to teeth that are stained. Under many circumstances, surface stains can be lightened, at least to an extent, through a professional cleaning.

Intrinsic stains occur when the inner tooth structure (the dentin) darkens or gets a yellow tint. You can get this type of discoloration for many reasons such as you had too much fluoride exposure during early childhood (Fluorosis). Your mother may have used Tetracycline antibiotics during her second half of pregnancy, when your teeth were developing histologically, or maybe you used Tetracycline for an ear infection when you were eight years old or younger, and that lead to tooth staining (Tetracycline Staining). The severity of Tetracycline staining varies, based on the individual and the period of time they were exposed to the medication.

Tooth discoloration can happen as a result of many influences, including trauma. A fall for example, may have damaged your permanent tooth, and internal bleeding discolored your tooth.

Because they are located below the enamel of the teeth, intrinsic stains may not respond to topical bleaching with the kind of “do-it yourself” kits that you buy at the drugstore or on the internet. Deep stains – those that occur beneath the enamel of the teeth – can still be treated and may even respond well to the in-office teeth whitening services offered at our Sedona location.

Age-related stains are usually a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. The lare below the enamel- Dentin- naturally yellows over time. As we age, the enamel gets thinner which allows the yellow colored dentin to shine through. Foods and other beverages can change the color of your teeth. Some of the dental materials used to fill your teeth may have yellowed, or material such as mercury containing silver fillings (amalgam) restorations can cast a gray-black color to your teeth. You may have had a crown change color or your gum recede showing a black line near your gums. Even genetics plays a role; some people just have naturally brighter and thicker enamel than others.

Treatment of Tooth Stains

Many extrinsic stains caused by food and drinks, or poor brushing habits can be removed by regular professional teeth cleaning and Topical Tooth Whitening.

Keeping a robust daily oral hygiene routine can help remove surface tooth staining before it sets. However, habits like daily coffee or soda consumption and using tobacco may render any at-home efforts unsuccessful. If you smoke, we cannot stress enough the importance of quitting – not just for the appearance of your teeth, but for your general health. Smokers are at a significantly higher risk for gum disease and oral cancer. Tobacco users are also at higher risk for tooth decay, chronic dry mouth, and persistent halitosis.

Teeth discoloration is mainly a cosmetic problem. If you are unhappy with how your teeth look, the best way to learn if tooth whitening or another service will most enhance your smile is through a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Marsh. Sedona Dentist Chris Marsh will discuss with you if your staining is significant or unlikely to respond to tooth whitening treatments. He will discuss other Sedona smile design and cosmetic dentistry options that may work better for your needs. Call us to set up your consultation today if you live near Sedona, such as nearby Cottonwood. 928-282-3246.
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Teeth Whitening Options in Sedona and Cottonwood

Sedona Tooth Whitening Options | In-Office and Take-Home Teeth Whitening

For your convenience, we offer in-office, take-home and combination tooth whitening options according to your preferences.

You also can buy whitening products over the counter or on the internet. They contain weaker bleach than the products you can get from us.

Custom Take-Home Whitening Trays

Having custom teeth whitening trays made at Sedona Dentist Chris Marsh’s office is an easy way to restore your teeth to their brightest!

In office teeth whitening is very effective, but some people think that it is costly. Even if you have dental insurance, often tooth whitening is not covered because they consider it a “cosmetic” procedure. Professional at-home teeth whitening kits contain a higher concentration or either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. They are slightly more expensive than over-the counter whitening kits but less pricey than in-office whitening. Custom fitted trays are keep the whitening gel on the surface of the tooth and limit the exposure of the solution to the sensitive gum area.

There are a few easy steps to making and using take-home teeth whitening custom trays:

  • Impressions are taken of your upper and lower teeth using a non-toxic impression material (based on seaweed). Our on-site lab makes the trays from start to finish.
  • In the meantime, the initial shade of your teeth are recorded into your dental chart for comparison of your results later.
  • When your custom whitening trays are ready, we make an appointment to show you how to properly use the whitening gel and other instructions for optimal results.
  • Typically the trays are worn an hour a day for two weeks. Some patients wear them overnight.
  • After two weeks of treatment, a follow-up appointment would be made to track your results and see how they compare to your reference shade.
  • Additional whitening gel can be used for touch-ups if needed.

Zoom Teeth Whitening

In-Office teeth whitening is a bit more expensive, but one that offers more reliable results. Besides cost, the one downside is that you would need a little more time in the dental chair. With Zoom!, we can lighten your teeth several shades over the course of just one office visit. In fact, in-office tooth whitening can often lighten teeth up to ten shades in one hour.

The process is pretty straight forward:

  • Before starting your teeth are polished to remove any debris or plaque.
  • Your mouth is isolated with gauze and a gel barrier is placed on the gums to protect from the whitening gel.
  • Your teeth are coated on the front surface with the whitening solution.
  • A Zoom computer chip controlled light is used to activate the peroxide working to activate oxygen molecules that can penetrate enamel to remove stains.
  • We also include custom take-home trays as part of the Zoom whitening procedure. This way, you can touch up your Zoom! result as time goes by.

Whether you live in nearby Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Cornville, Village of Oak Creek or in West Sedona, the team at Chris Marsh DMD would love to be your family’s dental home.
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How to Maintain Your Teeth Whitening Results

Keeping Teeth White After Bleaching | Sedona & Cottonwood Dentist

Contact Sedona Dentist Chris Marsh to Learn if Tooth Whitening is Right for You!

Both of the teeth whitening options provided by our Sedona cosmetic dentists are designed to be long-lasting. How you care for your teeth after treatment will, have a more direct result in the amount of time your whiter teeth are visible than anything that we can do.

Happily, maintaining teeth whitening results is relatively easy. In many cases, it doesn’t even require alteration to your daily routine. You can work towards keeping your teeth bright and beautiful by:

  • Good brushing and flossing to help prevent plaque and tartar from forming on the teeth which make them darker.
  • Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco as this stains the teeth
  • See your dental hygienist for regular cleanings
  • Chewing sugarless gum after eating or drinking so that stain causers don’t sit on your teeth
  • Reducing your intake of dark foods like berries and sauces

Good dental hygiene can go a long way in keeping your teeth stain-free. Proper teeth cleaning habits will fight the presence of cavity causing bacteria and the food debris that leads to yellowing. Part of a good oral hygiene routine is twice-yearly visits to our Sedona dentistry office for professional cleanings and examinations. During these visits, our team will help you maintain your tooth whitening results by removing surface stains and gently polishing your teeth. If it has been more than six months since your last cleaning, call us today to schedule your next appointment.
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Am I a Good Candidate for Tooth Whitening?

Sedona & Cottonwood Teeth Whitening Candidate

Ideal candidates for teeth whitening are individuals with mild to moderate discolored teeth that have had a recent dental exam. Sedona and Cottonwood area dentist Chris Marsh will be able to tailor your treatment to get the result you want, whether you are looking for a subtle or more noticeable outcome. Although there are lots of over-the-counter whitening products, you are best advised to go to a dentist, as anything that is sold on the high street is likely to have active ingredients in such low quantities that it is won’t have a very perceptible effect. There may also be some reasons that you are not suitable for teeth whitening treatment, which only a dentist will be able to ascertain

However, stained or discolored teeth alone are not the only concern. Candidates for teeth whitening should be:

  • Free of Gum problems, decayed teeth or tooth infections
  • Unhappy with the appearance of his or her smile
  • Willing to invest in the time and care to maintain results

Good candidates for teeth whitening should also have stains that can be reduced with topical bleaching. Intrinsic stains, particularly those caused by fluorosis and antibiotics can be extremely unaffected by tooth whitening. Actually, topical bleaching may enhance these stains as surrounding enamel is brightened. If you have tooth staining that is unlikely to respond to topical whitening teeth bleach, we will discuss additional options such as:

  • Porcelain veneers – placed over the front of teeth veneers restore a bright and flawless appearance to teeth affected by cosmetic imperfections, including deep stains.
  • Dental composite bonding – made from dental materials that can be shaded and molded to produce an ideal tooth appearance, dental bonding is a safe, fast, and effective way to address intrinsic staining.

These cosmetic red rock dental services are often used in conjunction with tooth whitening for a complete smile makeover. During this more involved cosmetic service, all aesthetic, wear and functional problems affecting your smile will be addressed. The end result is a healthy, strong, and attractive smile that you will feel proud to show the world. During your initial consultation, we will listen carefully to your concerns, assess your teeth and gums, and help you choose which options will best protect and perfect your smile.
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Financing Teeth Whitening

Talk to Us About Your Tooth Whitening Costs and Financing

Sedona Dentist Chris Marsh strives to meet all of the oral health and beauty needs of our patients. To this end, he is happy to offer a number of payment options for our cosmetic dentistry services. We accept:

  • Cash
  • All major Credit Cards
  • CareCredit®
  • The Lending Club®

The Lending Club®

Dental financing that makes you smile. Paying for anything from teeth whitening to implants is easy with The Lending Club®. They’re there to help you pay for the treatment that you choose. With a fast online application and flexible payment plans. Financing the way it was meant to be: No upfront payment. No prepayment penalties or payment due for 3-7 weeks. What you see is what you get

CareCredit is a healthcare financing company that offers a range of payment choices. Among these are 0% APR plans and fixed-monthly payments options, allowing the patient to choose the terms most suitable for his or her needs. You can apply for CareCredit at the link above or we can provide you with information about this and other financing options during your teeth whitening consultation.
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Sedona Smile Design | Sedona, AZ

If you are searching for an experienced best rated Sedona teeth whitening professional please call Chris Marsh at 928-282-3246. Our caring and professional cosmetic dental team serves the Sedona area and the entire Verde Valley Dentistry areas of nearby Cottonwood, Clarkdale and Cornville, AZ. We also treat dental patients from the Bell Rock dental area of the Village of Oak Creek (Big Park).

 

Visit Our Before & After Gallery to See Actual Patient Results

 

Chris March, DMD