Teeth Whitening
A brilliant, attractive smile conveys confidence and vitality. As we age, our teeth naturally darken. One of the most popular ways to enhance your smile and improve your appearance is teeth whitening. Patients can visit the dentist at lunch and leave with a stunning, white smile.
With teeth whitening, we can bleach the enamel to remove discolorations and stains from teeth. Research and clinical studies show that under the supervision of your dentist, chair-side teeth whitening with carbamide peroxide and/or hydrogen peroxide is safe for both teeth and gums. You can choose from in-office whitening, like Zoom!, for an immediate transformation or take-home kits, which will gradually brighten your smile over a few weeks.
Why Teeth Stain
Over time your teeth can fade or yellow. Especially if you use stain producing products such as smoking, or foods such as coffee, tea, red wine or cola.
Tooth stains fall into two categories - extrinsic and intrinsic stains. The extrinsic, or external, stains only impact the surface of the teeth. Intrinsic stains are present inside the teeth and are harder to remove than extrinsic stains. Usually, extrinsic stains look yellow or brown, while internal stains are typically gray or blue in color.
You can develop teeth staining from a variety of causes including:
- Beverages such as coffee, teas, and colas
- Aging
- Medication (antibiotic) staining
- Trauma
- Disease
- Genetics
- Tobacco
- Excessive fluoride
- Insufficient oral hygiene
- Nerve degeneration
Teeth Whitening Options
- Over the counter (OTC) products such as white strips, mouth washes and whitening toothpastes. The white strips do work to some degree, the rinses and toothpastes do not have the level of effectiveness most patients desire. None of the above work as well as supervised at home systems or in-office whitening options.
- Supervised at home systems (take home systems) provided by your dental professional, are very effective. They have been used for nearly 3 decades and there are thousands of studies proving they work and do not harm your teeth. For at-home whitening, we will take molds of your teeth and supply you with custom molds as well as professional grade whitening solution. Simply apply a thin layer of gel to the trays and wear them as directed each day. Most patients notice a difference in 10 to 14 days, and the full impact will appear at the end of the whitening time period.
- In-Office (sometimes referred to as laser whitening or chairside whitening) is done at your dentist's office in a single visit of about 1- 1 & 1/2 hours. For in-office whitening, such as Zoom!, we cover your lips and gums before applying a thin coating of gel on your teeth. Then the paste is activated with a special ultraviolet light. In one appointment, you can leave with a brilliant new smile.
Taking the First Step
During your initial visit, your dentist will examine your teeth and gums. At that time, the doctor will explain the recommendations and discuss your options. If you choose to begin immediately, you can relax and listen to music while we remove stains and transform your smile from blah to brilliant.
FAQs about Teeth Whitening
Does teeth whitening work?
Professional teeth whitening can safely and effectively remove surface stains and renew your smile. Products like Zoom! Whitening and BriteSmile can lighten your teeth 10 to 12 shades in no time. Good oral hygiene, regular dental visits, and avoidance of products that stain will keep your smile looking fantastic.
What is the difference between professional teeth whitening and the kits I can by from the drug store?
Drug store whitening kits don't have the strength that professional grade whitening provides, so many times, patients won't achieve the results they desire. As well, these whitening kits often irritate gums and soft tissue because they aren't customized to fit your mouth.
What if teeth whitening won't work?
In some cases, especially where deep intrinsic stains exist, teeth whitening may not be the best option. We will review your case and can recommend other alternatives, like porcelain veneers or cosmetic crowns, if teeth whitening doesn't fit your situation.
Also, note, that whitening products only work on natural teeth.
Is teeth whitening safe?
Many dentists consider teeth bleaching the safest cosmetic procedure available today. With careful supervision, you can lighten your teeth up to 10 shades and take years off your appearance.
What about side effects?
Please note that about 20% of the population can experience sensitivity to whitening products. If you happen to be someone who falls into that category, don't worry. It is not permanent and goes away within 24 hours after you stop using the whitening product. There are also proven ways to significantly reduce or eliminate the sensitivity issue.
In order to get the best results possible, we recommend you see your dentist for professional advice on what would be your best option to achieve that white r/ brighter smile you desire.
