What is tooth whitening?
Tooth whitening is the process where we are able to lighten the color of the teeth by a few shades. We have some options that will whiten the teeth a little bit slower, and then we also have options where we're able to whiten them pretty quickly.
Does teeth whitening damage your teeth?
Teeth whitening doesn't necessarily damage the teeth. What it does is open the pores of the enamel so that we are able to see that color a little bit better. It actually technically cleans the pores so that you're able to see that lighter shade a little bit better.
How does the dentist whiten teeth?
We have a couple of systems that we use to whiten the teeth. We have a take-home system where you are able to get trays, like a duplication of your teeth. We send you home with some gel, and you apply that gel at night or when you get home in the evenings for about an hour or so. It does allow the teeth to get whiter, but it takes a little bit longer. The other option we have is the in-office system. It's a process where we isolate the teeth, put a gel on them, and shine a light on them. We use the Zoom whitening system here. It gets the teeth whiter a lot quicker, but you'll notice a slight bit more sensitivity with the in-office system than you would with the at-home system. However, you will definitely see results a lot faster with the in-office system.
Do LED teeth whitening lights work?
Those LED systems do work. However, they do not work to the degree of the systems that we use. We are actually able to apply a stronger gel to the teeth because we're licensed to do so. We are also better able to ensure that anything you're doing is not going to cause any further problems with the teeth. Sometimes those at-home systems, if used too long, can end up burning the tissue. We like to be able to monitor these things here.
What can go wrong with instant teeth whitening that you do at home?
With instant teeth whitening done at home, especially if you haven't had a checkup with a dental professional, you can end up with a lot of sensitivity. In some cases, sensitivity may not be reversible. If you have active decay, we definitely want to make sure that those issues are addressed before you start whitening at home. If you have sensitivity with the teeth, it will be significantly worse after using those at-home systems without consulting a dental professional first.
Can dentists whiten teeth permanently?
Whitening itself is not a permanent fix. When whitening, we're opening up the pores and cleaning them out, but as you eat and drink different things with various pigments over time, the teeth will revert back to their original shade. This is something that needs to be done regularly to maintain that bright shade achieved after whitening. The only way to guarantee a permanent change would be through veneers or crowns or other more extensive cosmetic treatments.
Does teeth whitening have any side effects?
Occasionally, patients develop a bit of sensitivity with teeth whitening. Most of the time, this sensitivity resolves in a few days to a week. I always let patients know that with the in-office system, some sensitivity is normal but it does resolve over time. Occasionally, there might be a bit of blanching of the tissue during the whitening process, but that also resolves within a day or two.
How can I best retain the results of a teeth whitening treatment?
The best way to retain the results is by brushing and flossing regularly. If you consume anything with pigment, like wine or ketchup, drink water afterward to minimize staining. Additionally, if you want to maintain the shade, see us frequently for continued whitening over time.
Tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.
Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to whiten teeth. The most popular method is using a home tooth whitening system that will whiten teeth dramatically. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to evaluate replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. Replacement of any restorations will be done after bleaching so they will match the newly bleached teeth. For quicker teeth whitening results, Dr. Turner offers an in-office bleaching treatment that will whiten teeth dramatically.
Tooth whitening is not permanent. A touch-up may be needed every several years, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.