Boost Teeth Whitening
One of the most popular questions that patients ask, whether they have been nudged by friends or family, or are just in the office to have their teeth cleaned is, “Am I a candidate for tooth whitening?” The answer is almost always, “Yes!” 
There are many products advertised in the media; some are available over-the-counter, some only through professional dispensations and lately, a large selection of online-only products have come on the market. It can be confusing to know what to buy and if it is safe. Our best advice would be to use us as a resource to answer questions before purchasing any sort of bleaching products.
How Tooth Whitening Works
Tooth enamel is a porous substance that over time allows stain from the foods and drinks that we enjoy to penetrate and discolor our teeth.
Whitening products are designed in one of two ways:
Either to scrub that surface sediment off with an abrasive material similar to pumice or to bubble into those open pathways and remove the stain causing the discoloration.
Over-the-counter whitening toothpaste brands generally have additives that increase the abrasiveness of the product and serve to scrub off the surface stain.
Peroxide-based tooth whitening systems are those that are generally administered by a dental professional and actually penetrate tooth enamel to get to the source of the stain.
Boost Professional Teeth Whitening
The whitening system that we offer our clients is Boost and is available as a combination in-office jump start procedure and a follow-up take home kit that can be used to freshen up results when away from the office.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
The procedure takes one hour in the office and requires no pre-operative preparation. The appointment is easy; patients just relax in the chair and our assistants isolate the teeth and coat them with the whitening gel.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Once the in-office step is complete, patients leave with a take-home kit that finishes up their treatment in the comfort of their own home. We sell additional kits to help sustain your whitening results. The frequency of whitening depends on how much exposure patients have to the things that stain their teeth. Daily coffee and tea drinkers and red wine lovers are those that must freshen up most often!
What is the benefit of whitening at my dentists’ office versus using something over-the-counter?
Effectiveness of material – Materials purchased outside of a dental office must be safe to ingest in significant amounts as their application is not isolated. Our whitening agents are more potent as we keep them contained in a tray delivery. This gives better results in less time.
Reduced sensitivity – The specific system we use reduces cold sensitivity significantly and areas that are best left untouched by bleach, i.e., roots and sensitive dentin, are blocked from exposure.
Control over results – The shade is monitored by our skilled team during the process and recommendations made on the length of treatment, etc. based on results.
Contact our Leawood dental office to learn more about teeth whitening.
I highly recommend Dr. McKnight to anyone looking for a dentist who goes the extra mile.
I cannot say enough good things about my experience with McKnight Signature Dental. Not only is Dr. McKnight an excellent dentist, but she (and her entire staff) truly go above and beyond for their patients. From the moment I walk into the office, until I walk out, every visit makes me feel great when I walk out. I have never in the years going to Dr. McNight not had a visit go smooth. She is so consistent and the best. I also appreciate how the receptionist is so friendly and helpful. I highly recommend Dr. McKnight to anyone looking for a dentist who goes the extra mile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you unhappy with the color of your teeth? There are options for you! First, we must establish if the stain is intrinsic or extrinsic. Extrinsic stains are easier to remove than intrinsic stains.
Extrinsic stain comes for outside of your body. This is common in avid coffee, tea, and wine drinkers. Common food culprits are popsicles, balsamic vinegar, and tomato sauces. These stains can be resolved through professional whitening. The best time to whiten your teeth is after your teeth are professionally cleaned. Make sure and tell us if your teeth are sensitive. We can help with sensitivity when you decide it is time to whiten your teeth.
Intrinsic stain is difficult to remove. It stems from certain antibiotics during pregnancy or development, trauma, and rare genetic disorders. Whitening is not a viable option in these cases. If you want whiter teeth a skilled cosmetic dentist can improve your smile with veneers or crowns. Veneers and crowns cover your teeth eliminating any internal stain from showing and allowing you to smile confidently.
ICON Procedure
Lastly, there is ICON. ICON is a minimally invasive procedure that allows rehydration of your tooth. White lesions created from braces or fluorosis when young can be corrected by ICON. Depending on how many teeth are affected it takes 30 mins to a couple of hours to complete.
Meet Our Dentists:
Abbie McKnight
Dentist
Dr. McKnight is a native of Omaha Nebraska, growing up a Cornhusker football fan. She sought her college education at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, receiving her B.S. in Biology in 1993. Though she enjoyed ...
Megan Konz
Dentist
Born and raised in Overland Park, KS, Dr. Konz has been a lifelong member of the Kansas City community. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Creighton University in Omaha, NE before returning to ...