BriteSmile®

BriteSmile is the world leader in smile solutions. Using the most advanced technology, Dr. Gordon can take years off your look and give you the perfect bright smile you have always dreamed of.

Other BriteSmile products Dr. Gordon offers includes Invisalign®, the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces at any age. Click here for more information.

BriteSmile FAQ's

• How white will my teeth get?
• How long does it last?
• How does it work?
• Is it safe?
• Will it hurt?
• How does BriteSmile compare to other whitening options?
• Will my dental insurance cover it?
• Is it for everyone?
• How old do you have to be?
• Will it whiten my existing crowns/veneers/etc.?
• Can I have this done if I am pregnant?
• What other types of dental work do you do?
• How can I maintain my new white teeth?
• How do I get started?

How white will my teeth get?
In clinical studies, BriteSmile has been able to achieve over 8+ shades whiter on average. Your results of course will vary as your starting point maybe different and everyone's teeth respond a little differently, but in virtually all cases, the results are dramatic. Ultimately, the goal will be to achieve your optimum, natural whiteness. During the consultation, the dentist will go over what you personally can expect for your individual situation. Severe discoloration can be treated and yield good results in many instances. However, the more difficult cases can sometimes require a more lengthy treatment than the standard one-hour treatment.
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How long does it last?
The long-term results depend primarily on the individual. Certain habits, such as the use of tobacco products, drinking a lot of coffee, tea, dark soft drinks, and infrequent visits to the dentist for regular cleanings, etc., can work against the results. Regular professional care and use of the BriteSmile Professional Whitening After Care products can help maintain your natural whiteness for up to 2 years or more. Some people may prefer to do the BriteSmile whitening treatment more frequently.
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How does it work?
The BriteSmile dentist will first examine your teeth and gums for good oral health. Next as you relax in the chair, our proprietary whitening gel is applied to your teeth and the revolutionary, patented BriteSmile light will be positioned over your teeth to activate the gel. As you watch TV, listen to music or nap, your teeth will lighten and your natural whiteness will be restored in about an hour through a completely safe process of oxidation. Because of our unique chemistry and revolutionary blue wavelength light, a process that used to take many hours can now be accomplished in just one hour.
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Is it safe?
Yes. The BriteSmile procedure will not soften enamel or existing fillings. The primary ingredient in the BriteSmile's gel is hydrogen peroxide, which has been safely used in teeth whitening for over 100 years and is recognized as an effective whitening ingredient by the dental community. The percentage of hydrogen peroxide used in BriteSmile's proprietary gel is only 15%, much lower than other whitening gels that often contain 35%-50% hydrogen peroxide. If you would like to read more about the safety of the BriteSmile treatment, please click here.
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Will it hurt?
The majority of our clients experience no pain or sensitivity after the BriteSmile Professional Teeth Whitening treatment. A very small percentage of customers may experience a minor dull "ache" following the procedure. Taking some sort of analgesic almost always resolves the feeling. It is best to avoid very hot or very cold drinks for the first 24 hours if there is any tooth sensitivity.
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How does BriteSmile compare to other whitening options?
BriteSmile offers the most advanced technology available in teeth whitening. Clinical studies have proven BriteSmile whitens an average of 8+ shades in one hour. Compare this to a leading tray system which achieved only 6 shades and took weeks. In fact, many tray users never achieve even a few shades, as it is difficult to complete the regimen - night after night sleeping with trays full of bleaching gel, often accompanied by sensitivity and gum irritation. As you can see, BriteSmile is a tremendous value by comparison.

Incidentally, the same study showed that a leading whitening toothpaste was only able to achieve 1.5 shades of improvement after an entire month of use.
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Will my dental insurance cover this procedure?
No. As with most cosmetic dental procedures, insurance will not cover the treatment cost, however, it may be able to be reimbursed out of a pre-tax medical expense account if offered by your employer.
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Is this procedure for everyone?
Virtually everyone wanting to whiten his or her teeth can benefit from using BriteSmile - including people with severe food, coffee, tobacco or tetracycline stains. The dental examination by the BriteSmile dentist will determine if you are a good candidate for whitening at the time of your appointment. If the BriteSmile dentist uncovers a condition that would delay whitening, you will be referred back to your primary dentist for possible treatment.
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How old do you have to be?
Currently, the minimum age is 14 years old, with clinical proof of safety and effectiveness. Young adults 14+ are good candidates for the procedure, particularly if they have heavy staining after orthodontic treatment is complete and their braces are removed.
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Will the procedure whiten my existing crowns/veneers/bonds, etc.?
The BriteSmile Professional Teeth Whitening treatment has been successful at removing stains from caps, veneers or bonded teeth. However, a whitening treatment in general cannot change the original color of the caps, veneers or bonds. We recommend that you discuss your situation with a BriteSmile dentist to determine what you can expect.
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Can I have this done if I am pregnant?
BriteSmile recommends that you not do this process while nursing or pregnant. While we have no data that suggests BriteSmile would be problematic for pregnant women, we simply choose not to do so. Rather, we recommend that patients wait until after childbirth and/or nursing, to have our whitening process performed.
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Are other types of dental work - cleanings, fillings, crowns, cosmetic, etc. - performed at the BriteSmile Professional Teeth Whitening Centers?
The BriteSmile Professional Teeth Whitening Centers focus exclusively on teeth whitening. If you have other dental needs, you should see your regular dentist before going to a BriteSmile Professional Teeth Whitening Center. However, most BriteSmile Associated Centers , which are in dentists' offices, do offer other services. Please call to find out more information.
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How can I maintain my new white teeth?
We recommend the following to maintain your new BriteSmile:

• Brush your teeth at least twice daily or after each meal; floss daily
• Use the BriteSmile Whitening Toothpaste and the BriteSmile Sonicare toothbrush
• You may wish to consider using our other whitening product, such as our mouthwash and gum, which are both designed to prevent stains from adhering to the tooth surface.
• Visit your dentist for regular cleanings and checkups (recommendation: every 6 months)

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