Brighten Your Smile With Teeth Whitening by Dr. Ambis
Are you tired of looking at yellow or stained teeth in the mirror? Professional teeth whitening might be what you need to brighten up your smile and boost your confidence. The teeth whitening procedure involves the use of special whitening agents and techniques to remove surface stains and discoloration from your teeth. Dr. Ambis in Ithaca, NY, proudly offers professional teeth whitening to those looking to achieve a brighter and more youthful smile.
Call (607) 272- 1874 to schedule your teeth whitening consultation with our dentist in Ithaca today! Serving patients from Lansing, Dryden, and Trumansburg.
Smile Makeovers Tailored to Finger Lakes Residents
Every Ithaca smile tells a unique story, whether you’re a longtime resident who’s watched the community transform over decades or a newcomer drawn by Cornell University or Ithaca’s innovative business scene. Our comprehensive smile makeovers combine multiple cosmetic procedures—from bonding and contouring to whitening and veneers—creating customized transformation plans that honor your individual aesthetic goals while respecting your budget and timeline.
For Lansing professionals seeking career advancement, Dryden entrepreneurs launching new ventures, or Trumansburg artists preparing for gallery exhibitions at Ithaca’s First Friday events, a smile makeover can provide the confidence boost that elevates your presence in our tight-knit community. We pride ourselves on creating natural-looking results that enhance your features without appearing artificial, ensuring you’ll feel authentically yourself.
What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure to lighten the color of your teeth. It involves the use of bleaching agents, usually containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to break down stains and discoloration on the enamel and dentin of your teeth. During this procedure, a high-concentration bleaching gel is applied to your teeth and activated with a special light. The entire process can be done within just one visit to our Ithaca, NY, dental office and will result in significantly whiter teeth.
What Causes Tooth Staining?
Stained teeth can result from various factors, including:
- Food and drinks: Certain foods and beverages can stain your teeth over time, such as coffee, tea, red wine, berries, tomato sauce, and dark-colored sodas.
- Tobacco use: Smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products can lead to yellow or brown stains on your teeth.
- Poor oral hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing can cause plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause your teeth to become yellow or discolored.
- Aging: As we age, the outer layer of enamel on our teeth naturally wears down, revealing the yellowish dentin underneath, which can make them appear more yellow.
- Genetics: Some people may have naturally thicker or thinner enamel, which can affect the color of their teeth. Genetics can also influence the shade of enamel and dentin.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as tetracycline antibiotics, antihistamines, and antipsychotics, can cause tooth discoloration, especially if taken during tooth development in childhood.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to certain environmental factors, such as high levels of fluoride during tooth development, can contribute to tooth discoloration.
Are you ready to get rid of your discolored teeth? Contact our cosmetic dentist in Ithaca today to schedule your consultation at 607-272-1874.
Types of Tooth Stains
Understanding the type of tooth staining you have is important for determining the best whitening approach. Tooth stains fall into two main categories:
Extrinsic Stains
These are surface-level stains that occur on the outer layer of your tooth, known as the enamel. Extrinsic stains are typically caused by external factors such as food, drinks, tobacco use, and poor oral hygiene. The good news is that extrinsic stains respond very well to professional teeth whitening treatments, often showing dramatic improvements after a single appointment.
Intrinsic Stains
These are stains that occur within the tooth structure, affecting the dentin layer beneath the enamel. Intrinsic stains can result from aging, certain medications, trauma to the tooth, or excessive fluoride exposure during childhood. Intrinsic stains are more challenging to treat with standard whitening procedures and may require alternative cosmetic solutions such as veneers or bonding, depending on the severity.
During your consultation with Dr. Ambis, we’ll assess whether your stains are extrinsic or intrinsic to recommend the most effective treatment plan for your specific situation.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening offers several benefits compared to over-the-counter whitening products or DIY methods, such as:
- Customized treatment: Professional teeth whitening is tailored to each individual’s needs. Dentists can adjust the strength and duration of the whitening treatment based on factors such as the severity of staining and your oral health.
- Stronger and more effective whitening agents: Professional whitening products contain higher concentrations of bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, compared to over-the-counter products. This allows for more effective and longer-lasting results.
- Faster results: Professional teeth whitening typically produces faster results than over-the-counter products. In-office whitening treatments lighten teeth by several shades in just one visit, while take-home kits achieve noticeable results within a few weeks.
- Safe and supervised procedure: Professional teeth whitening is performed under the supervision of a qualified dental professional, ensuring that the procedure is safe and appropriate for your oral health. Dentists can also address any concerns or complications that may arise during or after the whitening treatment.
- Reduced risk of sensitivity: During professional teeth whitening procedures, measures are taken to minimize the risk of sensitivity. Desensitizing agents or treatment customization may be used to suit patients who are prone to sensitivity.
- Long-lasting results: While the duration of teeth whitening results varies depending on factors such as diet and oral hygiene habits, professional whitening treatments tend to provide longer-lasting results compared to over-the-counter products.
Teeth whitening is a great option if you’re looking for a quick, safe, and effective way to enhance your smile. At our Ithaca dental office, we’ll help determine if teeth whitening is the best treatment option for you. Call us at (607) 272- 1874 to get started.
The Teeth Whitening Process Near Ithaca
During your consultation, Dr. Ambis will examine your teeth and gums to determine if you’re a suitable candidate for teeth whitening. You’ll discuss your goals and expectations for the whitening treatment.
Before the whitening procedure begins, he may start with a teeth cleaning to remove any surface stains and plaque buildup. This step ensures that the whitening agent can penetrate your teeth effectively.
To protect your gums and soft tissues in your mouth, he’ll apply a protective barrier or gel to your gums. This helps minimize the risk of irritation or sensitivity during the whitening process.
He’ll then apply a professional-strength whitening gel to your teeth. This gel typically contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active bleaching agent. The gel is carefully applied to the front surface of your teeth and may be activated with a special light or laser to enhance the whitening process.
After The Procedure
Depending on the whitening method used, our Ithaca dentist may perform multiple sessions during a single appointment to achieve your desired level of whitening. Each session typically lasts around 15 to 30 minutes.
Dr. Ambis will provide instructions for post-treatment care to help maintain the results of the whitening treatment. This may include avoiding certain foods and beverages that can stain your teeth, practicing good oral hygiene, and scheduling regular dental cleanings.
Candidacy For Teeth Whitening at Ambis Dental
Candidates for professional teeth whitening include individuals who:
- Have healthy teeth and gums
- Have stained or discolored teeth, not due to intrinsic factors
- Are committed to oral hygiene
- Have realistic expectations
Tooth Whitening Aftercare
Proper teeth whitening aftercare is essential to maximize the results of your professional teeth whitening treatment and maintain your brighter smile for as long as possible. Here are important guidelines to follow after your whitening appointment:
- Avoid Staining Foods and Beverages: For at least 24-48 hours after your whitening treatment, avoid consuming dark-colored foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine, berries, dark sodas, soy sauce, and tomato-based products.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth gently twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and whitening toothpaste. Floss daily to remove plaque and debris from between your teeth.
- Use a Straw: When consuming beverages that may stain your teeth, use a straw to minimize contact between the liquid and your tooth surfaces.
- Avoid Tobacco Products: Continue to avoid smoking and other tobacco products, as they can quickly stain your whitened teeth and compromise your results.
- Manage Sensitivity: If you experience tooth sensitivity after whitening, use a sensitivity toothpaste and avoid very hot or cold foods and beverages for a few days. Dr. Ambis can recommend or provide desensitizing treatments if needed.
- Schedule Regular Dental Cleanings: Maintain regular dental checkups and cleanings every six months to keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright.
- Consider Touch-Up Treatments: Depending on your diet and lifestyle habits, your whitening results may fade over time.
Dr. Ambis can recommend when touch-up treatments might be beneficial to maintain your desired level of whiteness.
Tooth Whitening Costs
Professional teeth whitening costs depend on the treatment method you choose:
- In-Office Whitening: $300–$600 per session. Provides immediate, dramatic results in a single appointment.
- Take-Home Whitening Kits: $150–$400. Custom trays with professional-grade gel applied over several weeks for gradual results.
Most dental insurance plans do not cover cosmetic whitening. For detailed pricing and to find the option that fits your budget, call (607) 272-1874 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Ambis today.