Three Ways To Tooth Whitening
Tooth whitening is a very popular and common procedure we perform here at our Melbourne, Florida office. The reasons for whitening teeth can vary from person to person, and due to these changes, there are also a few different ways that we can whiten teeth for our patients. This cosmetic procedure can work wonders on a person’s self esteem, and encourage them to be their best self while performing their daily oral health routine. Next time you schedule your bi-annual check up at Artistic Touch Dentistry ask Dr. Brazdo the most effective way to brighten your smile.
What Discolors Teeth
Our teeth are extremely strong bones. They are made up of three different types of bone tissue. Each type can be affected by different situations and become discolored. This is the reason why tooth whitening isn’t as easy as just “bleaching” your teeth, and why seeking the consultation of Dr. Brazdo is so beneficial.
The innermost layer of tooth is called the pulp, this is the area of the tooth where the nerves are located. When severe decay reaches the pulp it causes severe pain and may cause discoloration. When this layer of the tooth is decayed a root canal will most likely be prescribed as a treatment option. After this the tooth is essentially “dead” and the color of the tooth can change. To brighten a tooth under these circumstances, a dentist will apply their bleaching solution inside the tooth to whiten it from within. This type of whitening can only be performed by a dentist, so ask Dr. Brazdo if this style of whitening is possible for your tooth discoloration.
The next layers of tooth are dentin and cementum, these layers vary in density, dentin being less dense than cementum. However they are both porous. When they are contacted by bold-colored foods that stain they can become discolored. Beverages like coffee and red wine are some of the most staining foods out there. The colors seep through the porous enamel and into the cementum and dentin. These, thankfully, are often surface stains and can be removed in many ways. Over the counter whitening strips, custom made whitening trays procured at your dentist’s office, or in-office whitening procedures.
How Does Tooth Whitening Work?
To remove stains your dentist will prescribe a bleaching solution, these are made up of different percentages of two whitening agents, hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. Each of these work to remove stains from the inner and outer layers of the teeth. Different concentrations of these chemicals are designed to work best for certain situations. To understand what method of whitening would work best for you, ask Dr. Brazdo at your next appointment.
In-Office Whitening
In-office whitening is done during a visit to your Melbourne, Florida dentist. It is a solution made up of up to 38 percent hydrogen peroxide. This is the strongest treatment available, reaching a six shade difference in only three visits. Because of the potency of this treatment the hydrogen peroxide can burn your gums.Your dentist will protect your gums from the hydrogen peroxide and very carefully apply the topical solution. This will normally be left on the teeth for a short period of time as it begins to lift stains very quickly.
Custom Whitening Tray
This is the most effective, from a cost and whitening standpoint. This procedure involves your dentist creating custom trays for you to fill with a solution of mostly carbamide peroxide solution. The most effective studied were solutions of up to 10 percent. At home, you will fill your tray with the solution and put it on your teeth. Dentists take great care to ensure these solutions are safe for your gums but effective in whitening. It generally takes one week of using these trays as prescribed to achieve a six shade difference in color.
Over The Counter Whitening Strips
Over the counter whitening strips can also be an effective method of whitening teeth. However, these strips often contain much less concentration of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide and will take much longer to achieve a noticeable shade difference. These strips have been found to achieve a six shade difference after 16 days of continual application.
If you are looking to brighten your smile today call make an appointment at Artistic Touch Dentistry for a consultation with Dr. Brazdo. Depending on your situation and how quickly you would like to see results we can create a plan for you!