610-295-5343
Located in the Lehigh Valley
Bethlehem, PA
IN-OFFICE TEETH WHITENING CLINIC
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Teeth Whitening for everyone?
Our system provides dramatic results for anyone who wants to whiten their teeth. This includes people with teeth that have been stained by substances such as coffee, tea, soda, smoking, etc. It will also lighten teeth stained by tetracycline, speckled by fluoride, or
affected by hereditary discoloration.
Is Teeth Whitening safe?
Our products are made and shipped fresh in the USA and are FDA compliant. Scientific research has shown that the active ingredients in our whitening gels are safe and effective for cosmetic teeth whitening. Our gel is made without preservatives, and does not change or damage the structure of the teeth; it merely lifts and removes the stains, making the teeth brighter. Additionally, our products are natural, gluten free, and plant and mineral based. The active ingredient is concentrated food grade hydrogen peroxide that can be ingested, and is regulated by the FDA. Our process is safe for enamel and all existing dental work.
Does it work?
Yes! Everyone's individual results will vary. Check out our Before and After pictures here.
Are the pictures on your website real?
Yes. All Before and After pictures are real and have not been manipulated. All photos taken are for in-office client perspective, using a basic non-professional camera and lighting. Please note: teeth will always appear to change color under different lighting conditions. Clients' teeth will usually appear at their truest color perspective in clean, outside, natural light.
How white will my teeth get?
There is no way to know what shade or how white someone's teeth will get until treatment is complete. After whitening, the average client will see teeth brighten 3 to 15 shades. Individual results will depend on the person’s original dentin color and the degree and type of staining. Everyone’s teeth are different and your teeth will only whiten as much as your teeth will genetically allow. There is a natural stopping point for everyone’s teeth.
Can my teeth get optic white like those of models or movie stars?
Your teeth will only whiten as far as your natural dentin will allow genetically. It is unrealistic to think your teeth will whiten to an optic level.
How long will the whitening last?
The lasting effects of professional teeth whitening very from person to person and depend on your diet and lifestyle. Most people can expect their teeth to stay white for 6 months to 2 years or more. Clients who smoke, consume coffee, tea, or colored spices, have hereditary issues, or have lost their enamel could expect to see obvious stain recurrence within 6 months.
An easy to understand example would be: If you have teeth that are less porous with thick enamel and all you like to eat are white rice, chicken, and water, then you could safely assume your bright smile will last forever. On the flip-side, if you have very porous teeth with little to no enamel, and you eat heavily colored food, and smoke and drink coffee or wines in excess, you could not expect your teeth to stay as white and bright for as long as the non-smoking "white rice and chicken" eater.
How long does a whitening session take?
Our whitening sessions average 60-90 minutes to complete. We remove staining from the outer layer first, then go deeper into the pores of the enamel to remove more penetrated staining at the dentin layer. Maximum results are attained after the last residual intrinsic staining is removed.
Do I need more than one visit for the teeth whitening?
No, our 3 treatment whitening process is completed in your 60-90 minute office visit.
Does Teeth Whitening hurt?
Most clients experience no sensitivity during or after the session. Some clients may feel some sensitivity or irritation on the teeth or soft tissues if teeth were flossed or brushed immediately before treatment or if very cold or hot foods or drinks are consumed within two hours after the treatment. A smaller percentage of clients will experience sore teeth or gums 1-2 days after treatment. If you are prone to tooth sensitivity we recommend brushing with Sensodyne toothpaste a few days up until treatment. Orajel can also be used immediately before or after treatment along with Advil or Ibuprofen.
How often can I do treatments?
The treatment is safe to do as often as you'd like. But to be realistic, we do not recommend more than two treatments in a year's time.
What's the difference between professional vs over-the-counter teeth whitening products?
Typically, products used in a professional setting have a shorter shelf life than store bought products and the active ingredient can deliver instant results when used. Over-the-counter products, in most cases, have a very long shelf life. The active ingredient usually lasts many months or years while still being able to achieve some results once applied at home. It is common for these types of OTC products to leave your teeth prone to extra sensitivity and requires the consumer to have more patience to achieve desired results. For more information about this, please feel free to read our blog article about this topic.
I am planning to get some general dental work done. Should I do it before the teeth whitening?
Yes, any upcoming dental work like cleaning, fillings, crowns, etc. should be completed before your teeth whitening visit.
Should I have my teeth cleaned first before I come in for teeth whitening?
98% of our clients do not get a cleaning before coming to see us. However, it is advisable to have your teeth cleaned first before a whitening if you have swollen, puffy, or bleeding gums, calcified plaque or tartar build-up, painful cavities or concerns that need to be addressed by a dentist.
Is Teeth Whitening safe for existing dental work?
Our formula is non-abrasive and will not affect existing dental work. Crowns and veneers also accumulate staining and respond well to our whitening system for those surface level stains.
Will this process effectively whiten bonding, crowns, implants or veneers?
Not as such, but in some cases we do see some results in these areas. Surface stains are the most likely to be removed, as opposed to specifically whitening/lightening the color of a bonded tooth, crown, implant, or veneer.
Will my newly whitened teeth be whiter than my original bonding, implants, or veneers?
In some cases, yes, especially if you have not done teeth whitening prior to getting any past corrections. We have found that typically the results come out pretty evenly for most clients.
I am scheduled to have bonding or new teeth put in. Should I get my teeth whitened first before my procedure?
Yes. Your dentist will then be better able to match the new corrections to your freshly whitened teeth.
I have cavities, cracks, and loss of enamel. Can I still be treated?
Yes, but you may be much more prone to sensitivity in your teeth during and after treatment. Large cracks, chips or holes in clients' teeth will be avoided entirely during the whitening treatment.
Do I need a consultation first?
No, there is no consultation needed.
How do I prepare for my teeth whitening treatment?
Do not floss the day of your treatment.
Do not brush your teeth immediately before treatment because your gums will be more sensistive.
We recommend using Sensodyne toothpaste for a few days ahead, and Orajel, and Advil or Ibuprofen if your teeth are sensitive.
As a courtesy, please do not eat foods with a strong odor before your whitening session.
Please do not bring children to your appointment.
You must cancel treatment if you have active cold sores or active viral infections around the mouth and postpone treatment until the infection subsides.
If you feel sick, please cancel your treatment session and postpone your next appointment for at least 3 weeks.
What should I expect after my teeth whitening treatment?
Be prepared to not eat, chew tobacco, or smoke for a few hours after treatment.
Avoid foods or drinks with dark colors like red meats, red wine, coffee, tea, or colored spices for 24 hours.
You may experience sensitivity in your teeth and gums up to 72 hours after treatment.
Do I have to do at-home maintenance after treatment?
No at-home maintenance is required after treatment. Keep in mind, teeth whitening does not offer permanent results and at-home maintenance can never hurt. Any at-home maintenance you may choose to use tends to work much better after a professional treatment has been administered.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
$299 for a 1-person visit
$189 each for a 2-person visit if both people come on the same day and time
Why are New Wave prices so much lower than other clinics or dental offices?
There are many reasons why you may have seen teeth whitening advertised as high as $800. Typically, this has to do with overhead, branding rights, and the local area being served. We are proud to maintain a private, well-managed, and tightly run facility, making professional teeth whitening affordable for most everyone.
Do you guarantee results?
New Wave cannot guarantee individual results since everyone has their own natural stopping point when it comes to the whitening process. Very few people experience results less than 3 shades in difference. Clients who have done teeth whitening in the past, or who already have very white teeth, may see much less of a result than someone who has never done a treatment before. Clients who have had past radiation or chemo treatments, have eroded or complete loss of enamel, or have had teeth stained by certain medications may struggle to obtain desirable results.
Do you accept insurance?
No. Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic service and therefore is not covered by insurance.
Do you take walk-ins?
No. We do not currently accept walk-ins. Appointments need to be made via our online scheduler.
If I am getting married, have a special event or party, or am leaving on vacation, can I come in the day of or the day before to get my teeth whitened?
We recommend you do not wait to come in the day of or the day before your special event. You will need to avoid colored food and drinks for 24 hours after your whitening. And in the event that you have some sensitivity, you will need to allow time for that to subside.
Is New Wave a dental office?
No. New Wave is not a dental office and there are no dentists on site. We offer only non-invasive cosmetic services at our facility.
Who will do my teeth whitening?
Jonathan Erik, Owner, and Certified Teeth Whitening Technician
Certified in Covid-19 Precautions
Am I safe from Covid-19 while visiting your facility?
We take pride in keeping a very well-run and clean establishment as our clients have come to know. Generally speaking, if you are experiencing anxiety about contracting Covid-19, we advise you postpone your teeth whitening treatment until the pandemic is officially over.
Can I send my child in for a teeth whitening procedure?
If your child is under 18, you will need to come into the office to sign permission on the intake form.
Can pregnant or breastfeeding women have their teeth whitened?
No, we do not whiten teeth if pregnant or breastfeeding.