Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening treatment can go a long way in restoring your pearly white smile. The white color of the teeth comes from the tooth enamel (the outer protective layer of the tooth), which can crack and erode over time, revealing the yellowish color of the dentin.
However, poor oral hygiene, smoking, as well as consuming certain foods and drinks can worsen the problem. With age, our teeth also discolor naturally, thus making teeth whitening treatment necessary in order to keep your radiant smile.
Even though some kinds of whitening toothpastes can help remove some surface stains by polishing the enamel, a thorough whitening treatment needs to be performed by a dental specialist for long-term results. We offer the latest and most effective teeth whitening treatments to restore the pearly shine to your smile.
After a comprehensive in-office examination, our dental specialists will recommend a suitable whitening treatment based on your current dental condition and the nature of the discoloration. Additionally, they will provide you with more information on the available whitening procedures, as well as the duration and frequency of the treatment.
Types of teeth discoloration
There are two types stains which cause tooth discoloration: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Consuming dark-colored foods and beverages, as well as smoking tobacco can leave surface (extrinsic) stains on the tooth enamel. If they are not removed properly and in a timely fashion, they can penetrate the enamel and integrate with the dentin, exacerbating the problem.
On the other hand, intrinsic stains darken the dentin itself. This can be as a result of ingestion of certain types of medication (i.e. tetracycline), fluorides or trauma. These stains are harder to remove than extrinsic stains and require a professional dental whitening treatment.
Types of teeth whitening treatments
Professional teeth whitening
Professional teeth whitening is done at the dentist’s office, under the supervision of a dental specialist. It is a perfectly safe treatment using special gels which gently remove both extrinsic and intrinsic stains and restore the natural whiteness of the teeth. The concentrated whitening gel creates a chemical reaction which dissolves even the most stubborn stains. During the procedure, a protective gel is applied to gum and surrounding tissue. Generally, the whitening gel is applied in 2-3 intervals, each lasting about 15-20 minutes.
The results vary depending on the severity of the condition. The whitening can be successfully performed on both live and devitalized teeth. However, the agent is ineffective when it comes to dental restorations such as amalgam fillings, nanocomposite fillings on porcelain crowns and veneers.
Home whitening kits
The major benefit of these kits is providing long-term results from the comfort of your home. The low-concentration whitening agent is applied to custom-made trays which should be worn for several hours a day (depending on the dentist’s recommendation. The frequency of the treatment and the potential side effects vary individually.
Whitening toothpastes
Ordinary toothpastes help remove dental stains through the application of mild abrasives. Whitening toothpastes also contain special polishing agents which strengthen the effects.
However, they can only provide surface (extrinsic) stain removal. They do not actually change the color of the teeth since they aren’t strong enough to dissolve intrinsic stains.
The advantage of these kinds of toothpaste is their low price – but unlike a professional whitening treatment which affects the entire jaw, they are only effective on the several front teeth.
Side effects
Teeth whitening treatments are considered to be safe. However, there are certain possible side effects that you should be aware of:
Sensitivity: Whitening can temporarily increase the sensitivity to temperature, pressure, and touch. Some patients experience spontaneous shooting pains. Individuals with gum recession, significant cracks or leakage from faulty restorations experience sensitivity more frequently.
Solution: Our dentists will recommend appropriate teeth protection to prevent or eliminate this side effect.
Gum irritation: Certain number of patients experience gum irritation from the contact with the whitening agent. This side effect rarely happens during in-office whitening procedures as the gums are adequately protected before the beginning of the treatment. Sometimes it occurs in home whitening procedures, but rarely, since the trays are custom made to fit your jaw. Gum irritation often occurs in home whitening procedures without previous consultation with a dentist, regarding the frequency, and the amount of whitening agents used.
Solution: After an in-office examination, our dentists will suggest appropriate protection and give you further recommendations in order to avoid this side effect.
Technicolor teeth: Restorations such as fillings, dental crowns or veneers are not affected by the whitening agent. Therefore, they maintain their original color while the surrounding teeth are whitened. This results “Technicolor teeth” – noticeable difference in hue between the teeth and restorations.
Solution: After the whitening procedure is finished and the desired hue is achieved, the fillings would need to be replaced in order to match.
Frequently Asked Questions about Teeth Cleaning and Whitening
Tooth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a safe and effective way of restoring the natural color of your teeth. It might not make a complete color change, but it can lighten the existing hue.
There are several teeth whitening methods – after an in-office examination with a dental specialist, they will establish the most appropriate method in consultation with you. It depends on your current condition, how much time you are willing to spend, whether you have existing dental restorations that need to be taken into consideration, etc.
The dentist will inform you about the expected results and effects, as well as how to maintain it.
The effects of a professional teeth whitening procedure can last up to one year. However, this timeframe may vary from case to case. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, eat or drink products that can stain your teeth. The dental specialist will advise you on how to maintain the effects longer.
Some patients may find that their teeth become sensitive to cold during or a couple of days after the treatment. Others may have discomfort in the gums or white patches. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear within a few days of the treatment finishing.
Prolonged exposure to bleaching agents can cause increased sensitivity to hot and cold fluids, gum irritation, even damage to the soft tissues of your mouth.
If you feel any pain or discomfort while using the home whitening kits, immediately stop the treatment and consult your dentist.
Devitalized teeth tend to darken after a root canal treatment. In these cases, the whitening agent is applied from the inside. This procedure is different from the common teeth whitening procedures.
It is important to know that teeth whitening will have effect only on natural teeth. It will have NO effect on any existing fillings, crowns, dentures etc. This means that any pre-existing dental work may need to be replaced to match the new hue achieved with the treatment.
Genetics: Every patient has a certain shade that varies from yellow/brown to gray. The yellow/brown colored teeth usually are more responsive to whitening treatments than the gray teeth. Everyone is born with a genetic predisposition to translucency and thickness of the enamel. Teeth that are naturally less transparent and have thicker enamel stay brighter and respond better to whitening treatments. On the other side, thinner, more transparent teeth (especially front teeth) have less natural white pigment necessary for the whitening process to be effective.
Age: There is a direct correlation between age and tooth color. Starting in the twenties, teeth begin to darken with a yellow tint. Over time, untreated discolorations become difficult to remove. By the age of fifty, untreated teeth absorb lots of stains that are difficult, but not impossible to remove.
Trauma: Different kind of injuries can cause large tooth cracks that collect debris and various discolorations are formed. Even injuries in early age can cause later discolorations of the teeth (even after many years).
Bruxism: Habitual teeth grinding, known as bruxism – usually a result of stress, can create micro-cracks, or worsen existing micro-cracks in the enamel, thus darkening the biting edges of the teeth.
Food and beverages: Dark colored food and beverages like coffee, Coca-Cola, tee, red wine, carrots often cause discoloration when consumed repeatedly over a long period of time. The acid component in the beverages, like in Coca-Cola, or in citrus fruits contributes to enamel erosion, exposing dentin.
Smoking: The nicotine in tobacco products leaves brownish deposits which slowly soak into the tooth and cause intrinsic discoloration.
Medication: Certain antibiotics, like tetracycline, when given to children with developing teeth, can cause brown or gray tooth discolorations which are very difficult to remove. Excessive fluoride consumption can cause fluorosis which is manifested as opaque white patches on the tooth enamel.