Other treatments
Teeth whitening after orthodontic treatment
Once your braces come off or your aligners are finished, whitening is a simple way to complete your new smile. We offer professional whitening with the GLO™ whitening system at all seven offices, planned around your orthodontic treatment.
When to whiten
The right time to whiten is after orthodontic treatment, once brackets are removed and the teeth are clean and polished. Whitening during braces can leave lighter and darker patches where the brackets sat. If you wear clear aligners, your orthodontist will tell you whether whitening can begin before treatment ends.
What to expect
- Check first: We make sure your teeth and gums are healthy and talk through the shade you’d like to reach.
- GLO whitening: GLO uses a whitening gel activated by a mouthpiece that combines gentle warmth and light. Our team tailors the strength and schedule to your teeth and any sensitivity.
- Sensitivity: Some temporary sensitivity is common and usually settles within a day or two.
What whitening can and can’t do
Whitening lightens natural tooth enamel and works well on surface stains from coffee, tea and food. It doesn’t change the color of fillings, crowns or veneers, and results vary from person to person.
Keeping your results
Brush twice a day, keep up regular dental cleanings, rinse after dark drinks, and keep wearing your retainers as directed. Touch-up treatments can refresh the shade over time.
In-office and take-home GLO whitening
Whitening is offered to our orthodontic patients, as part of finishing treatment. There are two ways to whiten with GLO:
- In-office: A whitening session at the office, with the gel and GLO mouthpiece applied and monitored by our team.
- Take-home kit: A GLO kit you use at home on a schedule we set for your teeth.
- Included after treatment: Patients finishing braces or Invisalign® receive a take-home GLO kit at no charge.
Whitening and your retainers
Keep wearing your retainers as directed after whitening. Clear retainers can also help keep the shade even, because they protect the teeth from staining drinks while you wear them.
Questions
- Can I whiten my teeth while I have braces?
- Wait until your braces come off, so the color is even where the brackets sat.
- Do you offer whitening to people who aren’t orthodontic patients?
- No. Whitening is offered to our orthodontic patients as part of finishing treatment.
- Is the take-home kit free?
- Yes, for patients finishing braces or Invisalign with us.
