The modern world puts a great deal of emphasis on how we present ourselves, and while many people are opting for invasive procedures, one simple treatment that can boost our confidence, make us look younger and give us a much-improved smile by removing pesky stains is professional teeth whitening – an aesthetic procedure that is relatively low cost, non-invasive, and also very popular. At Dr. Tosun Dental Clinic, our cosmetic dentistry services provide our patients with the smile they always wanted.
What is teeth whitening?
There are two kinds of dental stain. External stains can be identified as what looks like brown or black spots that accumulate on the surfaces of teeth while internal stains refer to the intrinsic shade of our teeth. While extrinsic stains can simply be removed with a dental cleaning, intrinsic stains are embedded deeper into the tooth and need a whitening treatment to remove. Whitening agents work by penetrating the tooth and breaking apart the stain molecules that naturally accumulate over the years and the many sips of coffee we have taken. Anyone at any age having a bad bite and/or esthetic concerns can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Today orthodontists work closely with other dental and medical specialists such as cosmetic and restorative dentists, implantologists, periodontist, endodontists or maxillofacial surgeons to get benefit from each speciality. This is called Interdisciplinary Treatment Approach. At Dr Tosun Dental Clinic we work as a team to deliver the best possible treatment outcome for our patients. In all our treatment approaches we go the extra mile to make our patients’ treatment experiences easy and comfortable. We always put our patients first and include them in their treatment planning process.
teeth whitening procedure
There are two techniques which are commonly available for teeth whitening and they produce virtually the same results. In-office treatment will run two hours and dramatically bring the shade of the teeth between three and eight shades lighter. In this process, a barrier is carefully placed on the gums, and an activation light is pointed at the whitening gel that is carefully painted onto the teeth for several minutes. The cycle is repeated until the desired shade of white (matching the white of the eyes, for a natural look) is reached. The second option is at-home whitening in which a lower concentration of the same gel is given with custom trays to be worn daily until the desired shade is achieved (often a week to ten days). A good candidate for whitening is any patient without damaged or eroded enamel or restorations on the front teeth as they do not change shades.
What’s the catch of Teeth Whitening?
It is no secret that whitening products may possibly result in varying degrees of tooth sensitivity but fear not, in the case that your teeth do feel sensitive after, the sensitivity is only temporary, and often gone within a couple of hours. In addition, we will always provide you with an array of anti-sensitivity relief products in case that you happen to have sensitive teeth.
How long does teeth whitening last?
No one will be able to answer that question for you because it is up to you to maintain your new pearly whites! Joe who drinks a lot of tea and coffee, smokes, and eats colorful berries and spices will not see as long-lasting results as Bob who avoids acidic and tannin-rich foods and rinses his mouth after drinking his coffee with a straw. While the effects last differently depending on our homecare habits, touching up your professional whitening treatment will also help you maintain your new shade and prevent you from needing the treatment again. We will monitor the shade at each of your recall visits and advise you accordingly.
Interested in having your teeth whitened?
Before having your teeth whitened, it is recommended to have a dental exam with the dentist and dental cleaning with the hygienist to ensure optimal results. In some cases, dental work may be necessary prior to the treatment (Bleaching gel on a cavity? Ouch!) and clean teeth will ensure the whitening treatment is as effective as possible.
Is teeth whitening bad for my teeth?
Bleaching gel used on the teeth, like fruit juice, is slightly acidic, meaning it will temporarily soften your enamel and dehydrate them for a couple of days, so for the two days following the treatment, it is necessary to avoid staining agents and keep well hydrated. Teeth whitening is only bad if it is done at frequent intervals, keeping the enamel in a frequent vulnerable state.