TOOTH WHITENING
At Home Care, BriteSmile® and Zoom®
Tooth Whitening
The lightening of tooth color through the application
of chemical agents to oxidize the organic pigmentation
of a tooth is referred to as bleaching. Your lifestyle
and the aging process can stain and darken your
teeth. Many things we do on a regular basis can
contribute to stained teeth, such as drinking
coffee, tea, cola, red wine, and smoking. All
toothpastes help remove surface stain through
the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening"
toothpastes have special chemical or polishing
agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness.
Bleaching solutions are products that contain
peroxide(s), which actually bleach the tooth enamel.
Most tooth whitening systems use either hydrogen
peroxide or carbamide peroxide in different concentrations
which oxidize the organic pigments in the tooth
enamel surface. Some side effects have been noted
with bleaching systems including mild tooth sensitivity
and gum tissue irritation.
Tooth Whitening Tip:
Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration.
For example, yellowish hued teeth will probably
bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may bleach
less well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach
well at all. Likewise, bleaching may not enhance
your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-colored
fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener
will not affect the color of these materials,
and they will stand out in your newly whitened
smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate
other options, like porcelain veneers or dental
bonding.
| Best Tooth Whitening
Options |
| Home Tooth Whitening |
Power Bleaching
"Professional Tooth Whitening"
(BriteSmile/Zoom2)
|
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Selection:
Anyone with mild discolorations desiring
teeth a few shades whiter and willing to
devote time to an at home regimen.
Materials:
Carbamide Peroxide(10-25%)
Location:
At home 30mins-1hour
Technique:
A custom fitted tray is made in a dental
office. The gel is administered to the patient
who administers the gel to themselves
Outcome:
Average 2-4 weeks
|
Selection:
Anyone with mild - severe discolorations
desiring an immediate result.
Materials:
Hydrogen Peroxide(30-50%)
Location:
Dental Office
Technique:
The tooth whitening gel is applied to the
teeth by a dental professional and activated
with a special light
Outcome:
Results are immediate..
Typically 1 hour
|
Some non-vital teeth which have undergone a color
change due to trauma or chemicals from a previous
root canal may require a different type of bleaching.
The primary indication for non-vital bleaching
is a tooth that has undergone root canal therapy
and has subsequently darkened in color. These
bleaching procedures are limited to a dental office,
requiring a bleaching agent to be placed inside
the tooth instead of on the enamel surface.
Our office offers patients all of these tooth
whitening options - at home bleaching, Zoom®
and BriteSmile®. Costs vary for each. We have
consistently found that the most successful approach
to optimal teeth whitening is to follow the "power
bleaching" in-office procedure (BriteSmile®
or Zoom®) with home tooth whitening trays.
Results have been impressive!
Please call with any questions and to set up
a consultation appointment.
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