Safe, Effective Options for a Brighter Smile

A bright smile can be one of your biggest assets, helping you feel more confident and ready to face the world. 

At her private dental practice in the Galleria area of Houston, Texas, experienced cosmetic dentistry specialist Heather M. Wilmore, DDS, makes it easy to discover safe, effective strategies for brightening your smile. 

You need not worry about ineffective or downright dangerous treatments like some you can find over the counter and online. Dr. Wilmore uses only evidence-based, proven treatments that have a long history of great results at getting you a brighter smile.

Professional teeth whitening

Professional teeth whitening remains one of the most popular ways to achieve a visibly brighter smile. Our most popular option for safe, rapid-results is the in-office Zoom! whitening system. 

In just one treatment session, which takes about 45-60 minutes, you can achieve a remarkable refresh — getting your teeth up to eight shades lighter. This option uses a powerful yet safe light-activated gel that quickly lifts deep stains caused by coffee, tea, and wine and even addresses that dull look that comes with age. 

Dr. Wilmore applies protection to your gums and paints the gel precisely onto your teeth to prevent discomfort or irritation. She then uses the light to activate the hydrogen peroxide within the gel. As the hydrogen peroxide breaks down, it emits oxygen molecules that move into the tooth enamel and the underlying tooth layer (the dentin). 

Those oxygen molecules react with and destroy the pigment molecules causing discoloration, called chromophores. In this way, the gel can lift stains from your teeth without harming the enamel or changing tooth structure. 

If you prefer a more gradual transformation, Dr. Wilmore also offers take-home whitening with custom-made trays. You wear your trays for about an hour a day over a couple of weeks to reach your desired brightness. 

You can maintain your whiter smile by avoiding staining foods and drinks. Many people enjoy their results for a year or longer, and periodic touch-ups can refresh your smile when you need it.

Dental bonding

Dental bonding is another rapid, time-tested way to enhance your smile. Using a tooth-colored resin that blends naturally with your enamel, Dr. Wilmore can repair chips, close gaps, or mask deep tooth discoloration to dramatically brighten your smile in a single visit. 

Bonding may be ideal if you’re looking for immediate results without the cost or commitment of more extensive cosmetic dentistry treatments. 

For this procedure, Dr. Wilmore lightly etches the tooth enamel to roughen it and prepare it to attach to the bonding material. She selects the perfect shade to match your teeth and shapes the material onto your tooth. 

Then, she applies a curing light to harden the material in place and polishes it. Dental bonding can create a whole new look for your smile — covering all of the teeth you show when you smile or treating only specific issues based on your needs. 

Along with the smile-brightening benefits, dental bonding offers some functional advantages: It can help strengthen and reinforce weak teeth, especially those that are cracked or chipped. 

Dental bonding can last for years. But, just like natural tooth enamel, bonding material can stain, so it’s important to use caution with teeth-staining foods and drinks.

Porcelain veneers

Many people seeking a dramatic, long-lasting transformation see porcelain veneers as the top option for smile brightening. These thin, custom-made shells bond securely to the front surface of your teeth, creating a whole new look. 

Veneers can conceal deep tooth discoloration, mild misalignment, chips, cracks, and even optimize tooth shape. Dr. Wilmore matches the shade of porcelain to your natural tooth shade for a realistic look. They’re specially designed to closely mimic the natural translucence and shine of tooth enamel and are virtually impossible to detect visually. 

Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and can last as long as a decade with proper oral hygiene. 

Ready to love your smile again? Call Heather M. Wilmore, DDS, at 713-266-4222 to book your consultation and discover which brightening option can be the most effective for you.