We all want to look our best. Moreover, there’s nothing wrong with that. Looking your best can often start with improving your smile. Almost everyone experiences some form of tooth discoloration. Not only does discoloration affect your appearance, but it can also affect your confidence. Whitening has become an increasingly popular solution. This has led to a rise in over the counter products. Unfortunately, these products often don’t deliver the results many people are looking for. Victor Nitu DDS can help you to achieve a brighter, more beautiful smile with professional
teeth whitening.
How Do Teeth Become Discolored?
Just about everyone experiences some form of discoloration. It can happen for many different reasons. A common contributing factor to discoloration is what we eat and drink. Habits like smoking and alcohol consumption can also play a role. These factors affect the outer layer of your teeth or your enamel. As you get older, your enamel begins to thin, which causes the dentin to become visible.
Sometimes, the discoloration can happen from within the tooth. This can happen due to taking medications like tetracycline at an early age, overexposure to fluoride, or dental trauma. Amalgam fillings can also cause an entire tooth to take on a silver hue.
What’s Wrong with Over the Counter Whiteners?
There’s not necessarily anything wrong with over the counter products, but they are not always the most effective. These products contain very low levels of whitening agents. This means that they may not be able to help you achieve the results you’re looking for. Some, including generic trays, can cause irritation to your gums because the trays do not fit properly, leading to the gel getting on the soft tissue.
In many cases, the results are minimal, if noticeable at all. If you have minor surface stains, over the counter whiteners may be able to help, but for those seeking more drastic results, professional whitening is often the best option.
How Does Professional Whitening Work?
Professional teeth whitening can be performed in the office or at home. When it’s done in the office, it typically only takes one appointment. The whitening gel we use has a much higher concentration of the active ingredient than you will find in over the counter products. We first apply a protective gel to your gums before applying the whitening gel. The gel stays on your teeth for about an hour and whitens not only your enamel but your dentin as well.
You can also whiten your teeth professionally at home. This is done using custom created trays. You simply apply a professional gel into the trays and wear them on your teeth as directed. Treatment takes a little longer, but you still achieve incredible results.
Am I a Candidate?
Whitening can be an effective treatment for many patients looking for a brighter smile. It is most effective on yellow stains. Those looking to whiten their teeth must be in good oral health and have realistic expectations.
There are some situations where whitening may not be the best option. If you have several dental restorations on your front teeth, dark brown stains, or have discoloration that has resulted from inside the tooth, such as fluorosis, trauma, or exposure to tetracycline, whitening may not be effective. Like
laser dentistry, teeth whitening cannot treat cavities between your teeth or eliminate large amounts of decay. During your consultation, we can help you to make the best choice for you.
Many patients choose to do teeth whitening treatment after an
orthodontic treatment to enhance the appearance of their new perfect smile.
What if My Teeth Can’t Be Whitened?
If your teeth can’t be whitened, there are still other ways to eliminate discoloration from your teeth. A common solution is veneers, which use porcelain structures that resemble your teeth to effectively cover the discoloration.
Bonding may also be an option. If whitening cannot improve the color of your teeth, we will help you to find a solution that works best for you.
If tooth discoloration is keeping you from smiling as you want, professional whitening may be the answer. For more information, call Victor Nitu DDS at (480) 536-8228 today.
