Are you afraid to show your smile? Your inner beauty will always be there, but you may feel the need to hide that smile if you have discolored teeth. It’s time to let your beauty shine. Professional teeth whitening at our Scottsdale cosmetic dental clinic, AZ Dentist, can help you feel more comfortable and confident in sharing your smile with the world.
What is professional teeth whitening?
Professional teeth whitening can be a very effective way to remove stubborn stains on teeth. A dentist performs the procedure, either with specialized laser therapy or bleaching methods. The procedure itself is painless, and can be done in just a few sessions.
Food and drinks like coffee can stain your teeth. Other causes of teeth stains include:
- Medications, including some antibiotics, high blood pressure medicines, and antidepressants
- Age
- Tobacco use
- Genetics
- Underlying disease or treatment for medical conditions
- Trauma to the teeth
The American Dental Association (ADA) does note that any of these whitening procedures can result in gum and tooth sensitivity. However, the ADA goes on to say that they are generally recognized as safe. To get the best care, you should work closely with a dentist who has dedicated experience in teeth whitening to design a plan that will work for you. If you have any questions, reach out to our Scottsdale cosmetic dentist, Dr. Janne Lynch.
How does teeth whitening work?
In all types of teeth whitening, a bleaching solution breaks down stains in teeth. These stains are not actually removed from the teeth; they are broken into smaller pieces so that teeth appear brighter. There are three types of staining that can occur: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related.
- Extrinsic: The most common type of stain, extrinsic stains appear on the surface of your teeth where the enamel is discolored. These can occur due to food and drink (e.g., blueberries, coffee, and red wine). People who use tobacco products may also experience more extrinsic staining because their tooth enamel is already compromised. Extrinsic staining generally responds well to teeth whitening.
- Intrinsic: Intrinsic stains are much more resistant to removal because they originate inside the teeth in the dentin. Physical trauma and some medications are the main causes of intrinsic staining.
- Age-related: With age, dentin becomes darker and enamel begins to thin. These two factors make teeth naturally more yellow as we get older. Thinner enamel also makes teeth more susceptible to extrinsic staining.
What options do I have?
Our Scottsdale dental clinic practices many different professional teeth whitening treatments that can help improve your smile. We may recommend the following treatments, depending on the severity of your tooth stains.
Professional tooth bleaching
This is the most common type of professional teeth whitening. Treatment generally takes between three to four weeks.
Your dentist will measure your mouth for customized trays that hold a bleaching solution (usually hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide). This bleaching solution may be a gel or paste. The first treatment will be completed at your dentist’s office, with regular applications of the bleaching treatment for 30 minutes to one hour at a time.
Laser whitening
Similar to professional bleaching, your dentist can also apply a bleaching solution and then activate it with a laser. This is a more focused approach for severe stains.
Deep bleaching
Deep bleaching is a tooth whitening procedure that combines professional teeth whitening at the dentist with at-home follow-up treatments.
In your first office visit, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth to make customized trays that fit right up to the gumline. You will then have another visit to get teeth ready for whitening, followed by the first bleaching treatment in the same visit. At home, you’ll continue with the customized whitening trays for two weeks before receiving a final bleaching treatment.
Other professional whitening options
For teeth that are stained too deeply to bleach superficially, cosmetic veneers and crowns may be an option.
In addition to in-office treatments, your dentist may also offer prescription strength teeth-whitening toothpaste to maintain your bright smile after treatment.
At-home treatments
An increasing trend towards DIY projects has also extended to teeth whitening. There are many different products on the market for whiter teeth at-home, including:
- Teeth whitening strips and trays: These use similar bleaching agents as those used at the dentist’s office. The main difference is in the strength of the solution. Your teeth whitening professional will have access to stronger bleaching solutions (and the training to know how to use them safely).
- Teeth whitening toothpastes and rinses: Toothpaste and rinses that contain hydrogen peroxide have been shown to be somewhat effective in whitening (or maintaining professionally whitening teeth). Your dentist can recommend some of her favorite brands. Likewise, some people brush with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This natural remedy can mimic whitening procedures and toothpastes.
Risks
While these at-home options can be safe and affordable, overuse of whitening products can actually cause permanent tooth sensitivity and damage your gums. It is always best to start by speaking with a teeth whitening professional. They will be able to recommend the best products and at-home solutions for you while kick starting your teeth whitening process in the office.
What does professional teeth whitening cost?
Professional teeth whitening costs can run from one end of the spectrum to the other. It depends on:
- How many treatments you get
- The severity of your tooth stains
- How diligent you are about at-home dental care
If you’d like to explore ways to make your smile even better, talk to Dr. Janne Lynch in our Scottsdale dental clinic today. She works closely with patients to find affordable and effective whitening treatments.
Isn’t it time to make life (and your smile) more beautiful? Visit one of our Phoenix area clinics today!