Smile Care Dental Studio - 142 Bank St, Regent, Whangarei 0112
Tooth whitening lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and discoloration. Whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can greatly improve how your teeth look. Most dentists perform tooth whitening.Whitening is not a one-time procedure. It will need to be repeated from time to time if you want to maintain the brighter color.
What It's Used For
The outer layer of a tooth is called the enamel. The color of natural teeth is created by the reflection and scattering of light off the enamel, combined with the color of the dentin under it. Your genes affect the thickness and smoothness of the enamel. Thinner enamel allows more of the color of the dentin to show through. Having smoother or rougher enamel also affects the reflection of light and therefore the color.
Every day, a thin coating (pellicle) forms on the enamel and picks up stains. Tooth enamel also contains pores that can hold stains.
The most common reasons for teeth to get yellow or stained are:
It is also possible to have stains inside the tooth. These are called intrinsic stains. For example, intrinsic stains can be caused by exposure to too much fluoride as a child while teeth are developing. Other causes include tetracycline antibiotics. They can stain a child's teeth if taken by a mother during the second half of pregnancy or by a child who is 8 years old or younger. Teeth are still developing during these years. Trauma may also darken a tooth.
Tooth whitening is most effective on surface (extrinsic) stains.
Preparation
Other dental problems can affect the success of tooth whitening. For example, cavities need to be treated before teeth are whitened. That's because the whitening solution can pass through decayed areas and reach the inner parts of the tooth. If your gums have receded, the exposed roots of your teeth may appear yellow or discolored. Whitening products will not make them whiter.
We will assess your teeth for decay or receding gums as whitening may make your teeth sensitive if there are unresolved dental problems. Whitening also does not work on ceramic or porcelain crowns or veneers.
Whitening can be done in the dental office or at home.
For in-office whitening we will photograph your teeth first. This step will help us to monitor the progress of the treatment.
Next, we will clean your teeth to remove the film of bacteria, food and other substances that build up on your teeth and contribute to the staining.
Once this is done, the procedure usually takes 30 to 90 minutes. You will need 1 to 3 appointments. The number will depend upon how severe your stains are and how white you want your teeth to be. Different types of stains respond differently to the treatment.
For in-home whitening, we will take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and will make custom mouthpieces to fit you. The mouthpiece needs to fit well. A close fit helps the whitening agent remain in contact with your teeth.
At home, you will fill each mouthpiece with a whitening gel that we provide. You will wear the mouthpiece for several hours every day. Many people achieve the amount of whitening they want within a week or two. However, you may need to wear the mouthpiece for four weeks or longer.
You also can buy whitening products over the counter. They contain a weaker whitening agent than the products you can get from us. Therefore, whitening may take longer. The whitening agent is applied as a gel placed in a mouthpiece or as a strip that sticks to your teeth.
Over-the-counter mouthpieces fit less securely than the kind you get from us.
Whitening toothpastes are available as well. They contain abrasives that remove stains on the enamel.
How It's Done
There are two main types of whitening procedures. Vital whitening is performed on teeth that have live nerves. Non-vital whitening is done on a tooth that has had root-canal treatment and no longer has a live nerve.
What It's Used For
The outer layer of a tooth is called the enamel. The color of natural teeth is created by the reflection and scattering of light off the enamel, combined with the color of the dentin under it. Your genes affect the thickness and smoothness of the enamel. Thinner enamel allows more of the color of the dentin to show through. Having smoother or rougher enamel also affects the reflection of light and therefore the color.
Every day, a thin coating (pellicle) forms on the enamel and picks up stains. Tooth enamel also contains pores that can hold stains.
The most common reasons for teeth to get yellow or stained are:
- Using tobacco
- Drinking dark-colored liquids such as coffee, cola, tea and red wine
- Not taking good care of your teeth
It is also possible to have stains inside the tooth. These are called intrinsic stains. For example, intrinsic stains can be caused by exposure to too much fluoride as a child while teeth are developing. Other causes include tetracycline antibiotics. They can stain a child's teeth if taken by a mother during the second half of pregnancy or by a child who is 8 years old or younger. Teeth are still developing during these years. Trauma may also darken a tooth.
Tooth whitening is most effective on surface (extrinsic) stains.
Preparation
Other dental problems can affect the success of tooth whitening. For example, cavities need to be treated before teeth are whitened. That's because the whitening solution can pass through decayed areas and reach the inner parts of the tooth. If your gums have receded, the exposed roots of your teeth may appear yellow or discolored. Whitening products will not make them whiter.
We will assess your teeth for decay or receding gums as whitening may make your teeth sensitive if there are unresolved dental problems. Whitening also does not work on ceramic or porcelain crowns or veneers.
Whitening can be done in the dental office or at home.
For in-office whitening we will photograph your teeth first. This step will help us to monitor the progress of the treatment.
Next, we will clean your teeth to remove the film of bacteria, food and other substances that build up on your teeth and contribute to the staining.
Once this is done, the procedure usually takes 30 to 90 minutes. You will need 1 to 3 appointments. The number will depend upon how severe your stains are and how white you want your teeth to be. Different types of stains respond differently to the treatment.
For in-home whitening, we will take impressions of your upper and lower teeth and will make custom mouthpieces to fit you. The mouthpiece needs to fit well. A close fit helps the whitening agent remain in contact with your teeth.
At home, you will fill each mouthpiece with a whitening gel that we provide. You will wear the mouthpiece for several hours every day. Many people achieve the amount of whitening they want within a week or two. However, you may need to wear the mouthpiece for four weeks or longer.
You also can buy whitening products over the counter. They contain a weaker whitening agent than the products you can get from us. Therefore, whitening may take longer. The whitening agent is applied as a gel placed in a mouthpiece or as a strip that sticks to your teeth.
Over-the-counter mouthpieces fit less securely than the kind you get from us.
Whitening toothpastes are available as well. They contain abrasives that remove stains on the enamel.
How It's Done
There are two main types of whitening procedures. Vital whitening is performed on teeth that have live nerves. Non-vital whitening is done on a tooth that has had root-canal treatment and no longer has a live nerve.