Teeth Whitening Palmdale


Teeth Whitening


 

Teeth whitening

If you are looking for a quick and simple procedure to enhance and brighten your smile a little, then teeth whitening might be a good solution!

There are different ways to whiten your teeth that are subject to your budget and time frame. Your options include an at-home whitening kit, which your dentist will instruct you to use. Or, an in-office whitening, which the dentist will perform.

Teeth whitening treatments are not a permanent solution for discolored teeth, but with the correct maintenance and oral hygiene, as well as small touch-ups, you can improve the whiteness and brightness of your teeth dramatically.

With age, the enamel’s surface wears down and becomes more transparent and yellowish. This is caused by the underlying layer of dentin which is naturally yellowish, to be revealed. Due to chewing, trauma, acidic foods, and gnashing, the enamel experiences small cracks, which fills in with debris and stains. Because of that, enamel becomes lackluster and dull. Through the teeth whitening procedure, the debris is removed from the enamel surface, and the small cracks will be left exposed and opened. Some of them may remineralize from saliva, while others will may fill up with debris again.

Types of stains

There are two types of stains:

Extrinsic stains are those that are caused by dark-colored beverages, tobacco, and foods. They can be easily removed with dental cleanings or brushing. If it doesn’t help, teeth bleaching becomes handy. If they are left untreated, they might ingrain the dentin.

intrinsic stains occur because of aging, trauma, excessive intake of fluoride or contact with other minerals (such as tetracycline) during teeth formation. Intrinsic stains form on the interior of the teeth. For a long time it was believed that intrinsic stains can’t be changed, but nowadays with supervised whitening kits, they can be removed easily. If the treatment fails, there are alternatives to treat intrinsic staining with dental veneers.

Causes of Tooth Staining

  • Age - over the years teeth darken and wear because they are more susceptible to staining. So the younger the patient is, the better the chances that their teeth will be responsive to teeth whitening.
  • Starting color - there are two types of innate tooth colors. Yellow-brownish and greenish-grey colors. More responsive to teeth whitening is yellow-brownish color.
  • Thinness and translucency - there are some genetic traits that may influence more effective teeth whitening. Opaque and thick teeth appear lighter and sparkle more, while thinner and more transparent teeth have less pigment that is important for bleaching.
  • Eating habits - a large consumption of colored beverages and foods like coffee, tea, carrots, oranges, red wine may cause markedly staining over the years. Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, may cause enamel erosion. Because of that, the surface becomes more transparent.
  • Smoking habits - Nicotine can cause intrinsic discoloration because it leaves brownish deposits in tooth structure.
  • Trauma - Traumas produce cracks in the teeth, which results in stains and debris.
  • Grinding - grinding teeth can cause micro-cracking which may result in stains and darken biting edges.
  • Drugs and chemicals - excessive usage of tetracycline can produce dark brown or gray stains. Moreover, immoderate fluoride usage can cause fluorosis with white mottling.

In-Office Whitening

If you want a fast and significant teeth whitening procedure that you may be able to see the significant color change, you must choose in-office whitening. During such procedure, we use high concentrations of peroxide gel. Depend on your tooth’s structure, you may need additional sessions, or after procedure use a home-use system.

Take-home kits

Most of the dentists say that take-home kits provide the best results over all of the other options of teeth whitening. He would make custom-made bleaching trays, which would be used with the safe percentage of peroxide gel. It would be applied to the teeth and remain for at least and hour or so.

Over-the-counter bleaching kits and other products

It is the cheapest option. You can use store-bought whitening kit with the lower percentage of whitening gel, compared to in-office one. Also, you can use one-size fit trays with some gel. In other cases, you can use strip or paint applicators.

Risks

Teeth whitening is considered safe as long as it is followed as directed. However, there are certain risks that you should be aware of:
  • Teeth sensitivity - bleaching may cause a temporary sensitivity to touch, temperature or pressure. It most likely happens during in-office procedures, because of the higher percentage of gel used during the bleaching process.
  • Those who have gum recession, leakage in faulty restorations or cracks, may experience tooth sensitivity more than others.
  • Whitening sensitivity may last a day or two but in some cases might last up to a month. For that reason, some dentist would recommend using potassium nitrate enriched toothpaste.
  • Irritation in gum area - those who use peroxide whiteners may experience gum irritation. That happens because of bleaching concentration or contact with the trays. It usually lasts just for a couple of days.
  • Restorations - restorations like dental crowns, veneers or bondings are not affected by bleaching agents. So if you decide to whiten your teeth when you already have some restorations, you may get technicolor teeth with different shades. Bleaching materials only affect your natural tooth tissues.

How to maintain teeth whitening results?

  • Follow up using at-home whitening kits. They may be performed at least once a year.
  • You should try to avoid dark-colored foods and beverages for at least a week.
  • Try to drink colored beverages with a straw.
  • Try to brush and floss after each meal and before the bedtime.

Cautions

If you are thinking about undergoing a teeth whitening procedure you need to know some things beforehand. Whitening results may appear two weeks after the procedure. This is important if you are considering getting ceramic restorations and want to match the color/shade with your new restoration. So if your treatment plan requires veneers, crowns or bonding procedures, make sure you plan it 2 weeks after the whitening procedure, in order to ensure proper bonding, and shade matching. If you want to avoid the technicolor effect, after the treatment you may need to replace all the old restorations that will be discolored after the bleaching. If your gums are recessed, the yellowish root surfaces may be difficult to bleach. Nursing and pregnant women should avoid teeth whitening, because of the potential impact that may have towards the baby.

Matter of aesthetics

Many patients ask how white they their teeth can be. It is wise to ask your dentist such a question. He will be able to tell you what a realistic outcome to expect and how long it would take to achieve it.

If you are considering getting teeth whitening procedure, we will be happy to answer all of your questions and arrange your consultation with our specialists at First Class Dental: (661) 383-2888.

 

Teeth Whitening


 

Teeth whitening

If you are looking for a quick and simple procedure to enhance and brighten your smile a little, then teeth whitening might be a good solution!

There are different ways to whiten your teeth that are subject to your budget and time frame. Your options include an at-home whitening kit, which your dentist will instruct you to use. Or, an in-office whitening, which the dentist will perform.

Teeth whitening treatments are not a permanent solution for discolored teeth, but with the correct maintenance and oral hygiene, as well as small touch-ups, you can improve the whiteness and brightness of your teeth dramatically.

With age, the enamel’s surface wears down and becomes more transparent and yellowish. This is caused by the underlying layer of dentin which is naturally yellowish, to be revealed. Due to chewing, trauma, acidic foods, and gnashing, the enamel experiences small cracks, which fills in with debris and stains. Because of that, enamel becomes lackluster and dull. Through the teeth whitening procedure, the debris is removed from the enamel surface, and the small cracks will be left exposed and opened. Some of them may remineralize from saliva, while others will may fill up with debris again.

Types of stains

There are two types of stains:

Extrinsic stains are those that are caused by dark-colored beverages, tobacco, and foods. They can be easily removed with dental cleanings or brushing. If it doesn’t help, teeth bleaching becomes handy. If they are left untreated, they might ingrain the dentin.

intrinsic stains occur because of aging, trauma, excessive intake of fluoride or contact with other minerals (such as tetracycline) during teeth formation. Intrinsic stains form on the interior of the teeth. For a long time it was believed that intrinsic stains can’t be changed, but nowadays with supervised whitening kits, they can be removed easily. If the treatment fails, there are alternatives to treat intrinsic staining with dental veneers.

Causes of Tooth Staining

  • Age - over the years teeth darken and wear because They are more susceptible to staining. So the younger the patient is, the better the chances that their teeth will be responsive to teeth whitening.
  • Starting color - there are two types of innate tooth colors. Yellow-brownish and greenish-grey colors. More responsive to teeth whitening is yellow-brownish color.
  • Thinness and translucency - there are some genetic traits that may influence more effective teeth whitening. Opaque and thick teeth appear lighter and sparkle more, while thinner and more transparent teeth have less pigment that is important for bleaching.
  • Eating habits - a large consumption of colored beverages and foods like coffee, tea, carrots, oranges, red wine may cause markedly staining over the years. Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, may cause enamel erosion. Because of that, the surface becomes more transparent.
  • Smoking habits - Nicotine can cause intrinsic discoloration because it leaves brownish deposits in tooth structure.
  • Trauma - Traumas produce cracks in the teeth, which results in stains and debris.
  • Grinding - grinding teeth can cause micro-cracking which may result in stains and darken biting edges.
  • Drugs and chemicals - excessive usage of tetracycline can produce dark brown or gray stains. Moreover, immoderate fluoride usage can cause fluorosis with white mottling.

In-Office Whitening

If you want a fast and significant teeth whitening procedure that you may be able to see the significant color change, you must choose in-office whitening. During such procedure, we use high concentrations of peroxide gel. Depend on your tooth’s structure, you may need additional sessions, or after procedure use a home-use system.

Take-home kits

Most of the dentists say that take-home kits provide the best results over all of the other options of teeth whitening. He would make custom-made bleaching trays, which would be used with the safe percentage of peroxide gel. It would be applied to the teeth and remain for at least and hour or so.

Over-the-counter bleaching kits and other products

It is the cheapest option. You can use store-bought whitening kit with the lower percentage of whitening gel, compared to in-office one. Also, you can use one-size fit trays with some gel. In other cases, you can use strip or paint applicators.

Risks

Teeth whitening is considered safe as long as it is followed as directed. However, there are certain risks that you should be aware of:
  • Teeth sensitivity - bleaching may cause a temporary sensitivity to touch, temperature or pressure. It most likely happens during in-office procedures, because of the higher percentage of gel used during the bleaching process.
  • Those who have gum recession, leakage in faulty restorations or cracks, may experience tooth sensitivity more than others.
  • Whitening sensitivity may last a day or two but in some cases might last up to a month. For that reason, some dentist would recommend using potassium nitrate enriched toothpaste.
  • Irritation in gum area - those who use peroxide whiteners may experience gum irritation. That happens because of bleaching concentration or contact with the trays. It usually lasts just for a couple of days.
  • Restorations - restorations like dental crowns, veneers or bondings are not affected by bleaching agents. So if you decide to whiten your teeth when you already have some restorations, you may get technicolor teeth with different shades. Bleaching materials only affect your natural tooth tissues.

How to maintain teeth whitening results?

  • Follow up using at-home whitening kits. They may be performed at least once a year.
  • You should try to avoid dark-colored foods and beverages for at least a week.
  • Try to drink colored beverages with a straw.
  • Try to brush and floss after each meal and before the bedtime.

Cautions

If you are thinking about undergoing a teeth whitening procedure you need to know some things beforehand. Whitening results may appear two weeks after the procedure. This is important if you are considering getting ceramic restorations and want to match the color/shade with your new restoration. So if your treatment plan requires veneers, crowns or bonding procedures, make sure you plan it 2 weeks after the whitening procedure, in order to ensure proper bonding, and shade matching. If you want to avoid the technicolor effect, after the treatment you may need to replace all the old restorations that will be discolored after the bleaching. If your gums are recessed, the yellowish root surfaces may be difficult to bleach. Nursing and pregnant women should avoid teeth whitening, because of the potential impact that may have towards the baby.

Matter of aesthetics

Many patients ask how white they their teeth can be. It is wise to ask your dentist such a question. He will be able to tell you what a realistic outcome to expect and how long it would take to achieve it.

If you are considering getting teeth whitening procedure, we will be happy to answer all of your questions and arrange your consultation with our specialists at First Class Dental: (661) 383-2888.

 

White Teeth in 1 day

(661)383-2888

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