Teeth Whitening
It is a natural part of aging – teeth become stained and darker. Having an attractive smile is an important part of appearance in our society, and professional teeth whitening offers a solution to the problem of discolored teeth.
Tobacco use, coffee, and red wine can cause stains on teeth, but even everyday foods such as fruits and vegetables also contribute to darkening over time.
Custom Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Dr. Frey's team creates custom trays for our patients in our Providence, RI dental office and discusses detailed whitening instructions with each patient based on their current oral health and individual goals for the appearance of their smiles.
After taking impressions, they create custom whitening trays that are comfortable, flexible, and easy to use. Simply place a small drop of whitening gel into each anterior tooth receptacle and place in the mouth for the specific amount of time that Dr. Olga Frey recommends. Repeating the process multiple times over a two- to three-week period will provide the best results.
Whitening gel comes in different strengths and formulas, providing a wide variety of options for patients to choose from. All types of teeth whitening systems work better on teeth that have recently had a professional dental cleaning. If a patient’s teeth have calculus, Dr. Frey will recommend a professional cleaning prior to beginning a whitening regimen.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening is more effective than over-the-counter products because custom whitening trays keep the gel where it belongs and minimize leakage, which can cause irritation and sensitivity. Often times, over-the-counter products do not completely whiten all areas of the teeth because the trays fit poorly, allowing gel to ooze into the mouth.
Whitening strips can leave the spaces between teeth stained and may slip off during treatment. Additionally, professional whitening systems require the supervision of a qualified dentist who helps determine the best formula for each patient as well as the appropriate amount of time to spend wearing their whitening trays for each session.
Common Side Effects
Most patients can whiten their teeth comfortable with no side effects. Occasionally, a patient may experience tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. This is a temporary condition and taking a break from whitening can alleviate the symptoms. Using too much whitening gel, whitening for too long, or whitening too frequently can all contribute to side effects. Contact Dr. Olga Frey for solutions to relieve the side effects of whitening. Fluoride treatments, desensitizing gel, and a modified whitening schedule can all help to minimize sensitivity.
Contact Us for a Whitening Consultation
To learn more about the options that Dr. Frey offers to achieve a whiter smile, contact her East Providence, RI dental office and schedule an initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teeth whitening is an affordable and safe way to bleach stains from teeth, giving them a brighter and healthier appearance. As people age, their teeth become stained and darkened from the foods and beverages they consume as well as from lifestyle choices such as tobacco use.
While teeth stains are a common side effect of aging, thanks to modern dentistry, patients don’t have to tolerate a dull smile as they age. Teeth whitening provides an affordable and safe way for patients to conveniently improve the appearance of their smiles in their own homes.
Olga Frey, DMD, offers a custom professional take-home whitening system. Her team will fabricate flexible, comfortable trays in her Providence, RI dental office and provide enough whitening gel for patients to achieve their desired shade.
Whitening under the supervision of a dentist is the safest and most effective way to eliminate stains. Over-the-counter products can provide less desirable results and cause more tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Plus, they can also be difficult to use, unlike a custom whitening system designed to fit the patient’s teeth perfectly and keep whitening gel from seeping onto the gums, creating irritation.
Clean teeth always whiten more effectively. Dr. Frey may recommend a professional cleaning to remove calculus prior to beginning any whitening treatment.
Meet Our Doctor:
Dr. Olga Frey DDS, DMD
Dr. Olga Frey has been providing dental care to families in the East Providence and Providence communities over the past 30 years. She graduated from Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Frey maintains memberships in the American Dental Association and Rhode Island Dental Society. She is committed to ongoing professional growth and continuing education on a regular basis. Certified in implant placement/implant restoration and CO2 laser treatments.
You can find Dr. Frey spending time with her dogs Karma, Nona, and Remy while splitting her time in New Jersey around with ...