Ask the Dentist: Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
What is tooth whitening?
Tooth whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural whiteness of stained teeth. Teeth whitening is safe and will produce results that can last anywhere from six months to over a year, depending on how willing you are to make appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes.
How Are Teeth Whitened?
The outer layer of your teeth is called the enamel. It is actually semi-translucent, or clear. Beneath the enamel is the dentin layer, which is most commonly yellow, although sometimes it can be gray, brown, or black.
When the dentin darkens, it shows through the enamel as discoloration. We have to use a peroxide solution that will penetrate the pores of the enamel down to the dentin. This will lighten the dentin and create whiter looking teeth.
How long does the entire procedure take?
The way we do cosmetic teeth whitening, it takes two appointments spaced between three and four weeks. During your first visit, we clean your teeth and apply the initial application of tooth bleaching gel. We harden this with a special high intensity light and take impressions of your teeth. Using these impressions, we make teeth whitening trays that you can take home with you.
For the next two weeks to one month, for 30 minutes or so each night, you will apply a special take-home version of our teeth whitening gel (made with a different kind of peroxide) and apply it for 30 minutes to 1 hour at a time.
When you return, we apply a final coating of gel and seal it with the high intensity light.
How much does tooth whitening cost?
This depends on the condition of your teeth. Some cosmetic dentists in Houston are more expensive than we are because they do tooth bleaching in a single office visit using a laser. We do not use the laser because it creates hypersensitivity in the teeth, and because the high intensity light achieves the same results as does the laser.
How long will my teeth stay whitened?
If you take really good care of them, they can stay white for as long as three years. On the average, however, we are looking at a little over a year with a person who eats a normal diet and does not drink a lot of coffee.
However, if you drink a lot of coffee and smoke cigarettes, you are re-staining your teeth and will need this treatment again in 4 to 6 months. It is therefore all up to you how you want this to work and how long you want this to last.
Are there occasions when tooth whitening might not work?
If you have porcelain onlays or cosmetic dental veneers, cosmetic tooth bleaching will not work on them because it is effective only on natural teeth. The same goes for dentures and crowns.
What is the most important consideration when it comes to whitening teeth?
You need to maintain a sense of realism. If your teeth are very badly stained, it may take several treatments to achieve a whiter smile. Also, remember that anything you eat, drink, or smoke after the treatment will have some kind of effect on the results. Dental hygiene is a must if you are going to retain a healthy, attractive smile.
Tooth whitening is an excellent way to restore the natural whiteness of stained teeth. Teeth whitening is safe and will produce results that can last anywhere from six months to over a year, depending on how willing you are to make appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes.
How Are Teeth Whitened?
The outer layer of your teeth is called the enamel. It is actually semi-translucent, or clear. Beneath the enamel is the dentin layer, which is most commonly yellow, although sometimes it can be gray, brown, or black.
When the dentin darkens, it shows through the enamel as discoloration. We have to use a peroxide solution that will penetrate the pores of the enamel down to the dentin. This will lighten the dentin and create whiter looking teeth.
How long does the entire procedure take?
The way we do cosmetic teeth whitening, it takes two appointments spaced between three and four weeks. During your first visit, we clean your teeth and apply the initial application of tooth bleaching gel. We harden this with a special high intensity light and take impressions of your teeth. Using these impressions, we make teeth whitening trays that you can take home with you.
For the next two weeks to one month, for 30 minutes or so each night, you will apply a special take-home version of our teeth whitening gel (made with a different kind of peroxide) and apply it for 30 minutes to 1 hour at a time.
When you return, we apply a final coating of gel and seal it with the high intensity light.
How much does tooth whitening cost?
This depends on the condition of your teeth. Some cosmetic dentists in Houston are more expensive than we are because they do tooth bleaching in a single office visit using a laser. We do not use the laser because it creates hypersensitivity in the teeth, and because the high intensity light achieves the same results as does the laser.
How long will my teeth stay whitened?
If you take really good care of them, they can stay white for as long as three years. On the average, however, we are looking at a little over a year with a person who eats a normal diet and does not drink a lot of coffee.
However, if you drink a lot of coffee and smoke cigarettes, you are re-staining your teeth and will need this treatment again in 4 to 6 months. It is therefore all up to you how you want this to work and how long you want this to last.
Are there occasions when tooth whitening might not work?
If you have porcelain onlays or cosmetic dental veneers, cosmetic tooth bleaching will not work on them because it is effective only on natural teeth. The same goes for dentures and crowns.
What is the most important consideration when it comes to whitening teeth?
You need to maintain a sense of realism. If your teeth are very badly stained, it may take several treatments to achieve a whiter smile. Also, remember that anything you eat, drink, or smoke after the treatment will have some kind of effect on the results. Dental hygiene is a must if you are going to retain a healthy, attractive smile.
Labels: cosmetic teeth whitening
posted by Dental Expert at
11:31 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home