Professional Teeth Whitening | Dentist in Chicago, IL

Take Your Smile From Dull to Dazzling

The whiteness of your teeth is directly related to the health and age of their surface enamel. Over time, this protective enamel begins to wear away, exposing the natural color of your tooth below the surface, which is not the dazzling white shade you would prefer. Even without the factors of age and health, various substances can stain and discolor your smile.

At Contos Smile Center, our cosmetic dentist in Chicago, IL, Dr. Peter Contos, is proud to offer a variety of teeth whitening treatments through the advanced Opalescence™ Tooth Whitening System. Read on to learn more about our cosmetic whitening treatments and which best suits your needs.

Teeth Whitening Before Patient Photos in Chicago

Teeth Whitening After Patient Photos in Chicago

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

There are several reasons why your smile dulls over time. Along with professional teeth whitening treatments, being aware of what can stain your teeth can help you maintain a beautiful smile. Some common causes of tooth discoloration include:

Tobacco usage
Poor oral hygiene
Genetics
Excessive alcohol consumption
Eating dark fruits
Drinking dark-colored or caffeinated beverages
Certain medications

Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments

The drugstore shelf is filled with products that claim to whiten teeth quickly and dramatically. There are teeth-whitening strips, rinses, and even whitening pens that unfortunately have little impact on the color of the tooth and may even cause damage and excess sensitivity.

Professional teeth whitening treatments come with a host of advantages over drugstore solutions, including:

Personalized treatment
Safer and more convenient process
Expert care and oral health protection
Short appointment time
Guaranteed and effective results

Who’s a Candidate for Teeth Whitening Treatments?

While professional teeth whitening treatments are safe, effective, and fast ways to brighten your smile, they may not be for everyone. Before undergoing treatment, you’ll attend an initial consultation with our Chicago, IL cosmetic dentist Dr. Contos. He’ll evaluate the health of your teeth and gums to determine if a whitening treatment is right for you.

Patients may not qualify for teeth whitening if their teeth or gums are:

Extremely sensitive
Gray, brown, or unusually stained
Transparent or thin

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Contos, call our Chicago office at (773) 973-0531. Dr. Contos will discuss with you your other treatment options if necessary.

Our Ultradent Opalescence™ Teeth Whitening Treatments

With Opalescence applications, your new smile can be up to eight shades brighter. Opalescence Teeth Whitening Systems are a suite of products that offer customized treatments to whiten your teeth safely and conveniently. We offer both in-office and at-home treatments for your convenience.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

Opalescence Boost is a chemically activated treatment that accelerates your smile through various shades of white in less than one hour. This safe and effective in-office solution is more advanced than whitening gels activated by heat, lights, or lasers.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

If you prefer to whiten your teeth from the comfort of your home, Opalescence offers a convenient at-home treatment option called Opalescence PF. You’ll first visit our Chicago, IL office so we can take an impression of your teeth.

This impression is used to create a plastic retainer that you can use at home. Whitening your teeth is as simple as filling the retainer with Opalescence gel and placing the tray in your mouth for the recommended amount of time.

For patients who prefer even greater convenience, we also offer pre-filled dental trays called Opalescence Go! Depending on the strength of gel you choose, you’ll only need to wear the plastic retainer for 15 minutes to one hour each day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I ensure the best whitening results?

Tooth staining is often related to diet and lifestyle choices, so it’s essential to avoid certain products to ensure the best whitening results. This includes:

Tobacco products
Alcohol
Red wine, coffee, & tea
Dark berries (blueberries, pomegranates, blackberries, etc.)

Practicing good oral hygiene will also help keep your teeth looking good. This includes brushing twice a day, rinsing between meals, and flossing once a day. We also strongly recommend scheduling biannual appointments at our Chicago office for routine dental exams and cleanings. Regular cleanings prevent surface stains from penetrating your teeth’s dentin and becoming permanent marks.

What if I have veneers or synthetic materials on my teeth?

Unfortunately, synthetic materials like those of porcelain veneers or dental crowns are stainless, meaning they won’t be affected by a whitening treatment. If you’d like your restorations to match your whiter smile, we recommend undergoing a tooth whitening treatment beforehand.

Do teeth whitening treatments hurt?

Teeth whitening treatments are virtually painless procedures, though they may increase tooth sensitivity and mildly irritate the gums. Any pain should fade within a few days, however.

For in-office whitening, your dentist will apply fluoride at the end of your session to remineralize the teeth and mitigate sensitivity. Over-the-counter sensitivity-reducing toothpaste containing potassium nitrate is also recommended in the days following your treatment.

Learn How Dr. Contos Can Transform Your Smile

Teeth whitening is most effective when performed by a dental professional such as Dr. Contos. Over-the-counter whitening products may seem convenient, but the safest and most reliable way to transform your smile is by scheduling an appointment with our Chicago dentist.

To schedule an appointment, contact our Chicago office at (773) 973-0531 or fill out our online contact form and a member of our team will be with you shortly. We proudly welcome patients from Oak Park, East Pilsen, and West Town, IL.