Teeth Whitening with Orthodontic Treatment
At Life Orthodontics in Tustin, California our patients come from all over Orange County to see our orthodontists, Dr. Robert Lee and Dr. Sarah Pi, to have their smile transformed. Our smile transformations are comprehensive where we straighten your teeth, contour your gingiva and enamel as needed, and whiten your teeth. As part of this comprehensive process, a common question we receive is whether it’s best to whiten teeth before, during, or after treatment. This blog post will explore your teeth whitening options while undergoing orthodontic treatment.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening uses bleaching agents, like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to break down stains and lighten the color of tooth enamel. There are three main teeth whitening options:
· Whitening toothpaste: Contains mild abrasives and sometimes low concentrations of peroxide to help remove surface stains.
· At-home whitening: Uses trays, strips, or gels containing peroxide to lighten tooth color over time.
· In-office whitening: Performed at a dental office, this method uses higher concentrations of peroxide and may involve a laser or light to accelerate the process.
Pros and Cons of Each Whitening Option
Whitening toothpaste: This is the mildest form of whitening, mainly removing surface stains. Whitening toothpaste does not typically produce significant whitening results, but it can help maintain teeth that have been whitened.
At-home Whitening: Our preferred version of at-home whitening involves custom whitening trays with whitening gel. Similar to staining wood or dyeing fabric, consistent and repeated whitening provides the most even and long-lasting results. This method requires a few weeks of regular use for optimal results. Over-the-counter alternatives like whitening strips and pens may work but are generally less effective than custom whitening trays which ensure even application and minimize gum irritation.
In-office whitening: The fastest method which can typically be completed in one to two hours due to the high concentration of peroxide used. While results are immediate, patients may experience increased sensitivity and the whitening result tends to fade faster than at-home whitening. This option is ideal for those needing quick results before an event, like a wedding.
Whitening with Traditional Braces
If you have traditional braces with brackets and wires, we do not recommend whitening during treatment. Since brackets cover the front of the teeth, any form of whitening agent can only whiten the exposed surfaces, leading to uneven whitening of the teeth. Between whitening before or after braces, we recommend waiting until after your braces are removed since whitening effects typically last about a year, and if whitening was done prior to the braces are placed, the braces will obscure the whitening results.
Whitening with Clear Aligners (e.g., Invisalign, Angel Aligner)
Whitening with clear aligners is simple and effective since the aligners can double as whitening trays. Even if you have attachments on your teeth, whitening gel can penetrate through the attachments. We recommend using at-home whitening gel with the clear aligners, as prolonged exposure to the whitening gel leads to the most even and long-lasting results.
Whitening with InBrace
Since InBrace works behind your teeth, you can whiten the front surface of your teeth during treatment. However, whitening trays with gel aren’t suitable for InBrace since the teeth are not in a fixed position for a prolonged period of time. Instead, whitening strips or whitening pens are good at-home options, and in-office whitening is also possible with InBrace.
Conclusion
There are many whitening options available, and at Life Orthodontics in Tustin, California, our orthodontists are here to guide you through every step of your smile transformation – straightening and whitening. We offer custom whitening trays with take-home whitening gel to provide the most predictable and lasting results results. Serving patients in Tustin, Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Orange, Anaheim, and beyond, we take pride in delivering exceptional care and an unparalleled orthodontic experience. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about our orthodontic and whitening options!
