Want a Brighter Smile

What Do Brides Regret Most?

While nothing can replace the warm feeling of loved ones gathering at a wedding to celebrate new beginnings, brides often look back on that day with a few regrets. One of the most prevailing regrets is not making time to whiten teeth before the big day. Planning all the events for a wedding can be so overwhelming that personal maintenance might slide to the back burner. Don’t forget to take your smile into account when you plan your Iowa wedding.

Consult a Professional

A beautiful smile takes a lot of maintenance. Even if you develop good oral hygiene habits and see your dentist every six months for checkups and cleanings, your smile can lose its natural white color. Over time, natural aging, along with certain foods, discolor enamel. Before you take on any whitening projects, schedule a routine cleaning and checkup with Dr. Allen to remove debris and calculus (dental plaque that hardens in hard-to-reach areas).

At-Home Versus In-Office Whitening

Over-the-counter whitening kits are not as powerful as the take-home teeth whitening solutions offered at Allen Family Dentistry. Dr. Allen finds in-office whitening with a light more harmful than helpful, because it can cause sensitivity and dry teeth, and it offers only short-term results.
The Opalescence whitening system we use at Allen Family Dentistry only takes one to two hours every night for about two weeks.  Dr. Allen believes that professional home whitening solutions are the least invasive and most effective option. For this procedure, Dr. Allen will give you custom-made whitening trays and a potent bleaching gel. You can reuse the trays whenever you need a touch up.

Allen Family Intrinsic Whitening Solutions

If you have fluorosis or other intrinsic stains, topical whitening will not lighten or remove the discoloration. Porcelain veneers are handmade restorations that completely cover the front surface of teeth, and they provide permanent whitening. Each veneer is designed by Dr. Allen to complement your smile and look totally natural. Expect two or three visits to design, fabricate, and place porcelain veneers.

Sensitivity to Whitening

Let our team know if you develop tooth sensitivity over the course of your whitening treatment. Additionally, let our team know if you’ve used over the counter bleaching products before your whitening treatment. Over bleaching can lead to sensitivity.
If you want to brighten your smile before your wedding or holiday extravaganzas, call 641-640-1121. Allen Family Dentistry serves families from Oskaloosa, Monroe, Knoxville, Newton, and surrounding central Iowa communities.