One of the first things you notice about someone is their smile. The bigger and brighter their smile, the more friendly they seem. Unfortunately, time and elements such as smoke, coffee, tea or wine along with the natural aging process can stain the teeth and ruin one's smile. Additional factors such as genetics, disease and some medications also can cause discoloration of the teeth.
With today's advancements in dentistry you no longer have to be unhappy with discolored teeth.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is performed by our doctor for patients in our region to restore a brighter, healthier smile by reducing the brown and yellow discolorations that they have accumulated over time. Two of the most popular whitening techniques used to correct discolored teeth include teeth bleaching and laser/light whitening.
Laser/light teeth whitening utilizes either a laser or a special activating light combined with a whitening gel to brighten discolored teeth. Laser/light teeth whitening is only performed in the office.
Teeth bleaching utilizes various chemicals to lighten discolored teeth. The process can be performed in our office or in the comfort of your own home. Each treatment session can last from 1 - 3 hours. Teeth bleaching does require our dentist to make a custom tray for your teeth. Your custom tray ensures the proper delivery of the whitening solution to your teeth. Most of our patients selecting teeth bleaching prefer taking our materials home so they don't have to make as many office visits over the course of their treatment.
During your treatment session, you must keep your treatment tray with solution in your mouth. The length of your treatment session will depend on the desired results and the density of your staining. In some cases our doctor may request that you keep your tray in your mouth over night. Teeth bleaching generally takes a few weeks with check up exams by our dentist.
Laser/light teeth whitening utilizes either a laser or a special activating light combined with a whitening gel to brighten discolored teeth. Laser/light teeth whitening is only performed in the office.
Your teeth whitening consultation
During your initial cosmetic consultation, our dentist will discuss the condition of your teeth, your medical history, your expectations, your treatment options and the probable outcome of these options. You may be shown several before and after treatment photographs of patients having similar conditions, and you will receive an explanation of your treatment. Before and after photographs may be taken of your teeth and smile to document your results.
Do teeth whitening treatments hurt?
They don't hurt. However, wearing the mouth tray during a bleaching treatment can be a little uncomfortable at first. But patients say they get used to it. Should this persist please give us a call. We may need to make some adjustments in the tray's design.
The chemicals used in the bleaching processes can cause the gums to be a little sore. This goes away once the bleach is discontinued. Occasionally we see patients that are sensitive to the bleaching agent. If the discomfort persists you should contact us. We may want to test you with a sensitivity solution.
Laser/light treatments are painless. When our dentist performs a laser/light treatment, a special whitening gel is applied to the discolored teeth. This gel transmits the laser/light energy into the enamel on the tooth, lightening the discoloration. The length of time required for laser/light treatment depends on the severity of the discoloration and the number of teeth treated. While laser/light teeth whitening may cost a little more, patients like it because only one treatment is needed.
What if my teeth are severely discolored?
While teeth bleaching is effective in most patients, severe discoloration may require the use of veneers or crowns. Our dentist will cover those options if appropriate during your initial consultation.