What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth that are discolored or stained can be restored to their natural color through teeth whitening, which is actually a mild bleaching procedure. Some over the counter products are not effective and unproven, don’t be fooled! At Winegar Dental, we use the most advanced treatments which are only available through a dental professional.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Teeth become discolored for different reasons:
- Drinking colas, tea or coffee frequently.
- Smoking tobacco products.
- A tooth will generally darken after root canal therapy.
- Accidents – If a tooth has been traumatized, sometimes the nerve will gradually “die,” and the tooth becomes dark.
- Aging – The dentin underneath the enamel of a tooth gradually darkens with age.
- Some antibiotics may darken developing teeth in children.
Is Whitening Safe?
When done under the direction of a dentist, tooth whitening is extremely safe. All of the products we use and recommend have been proven to be very safe.
Is Whitening For Me?
Dr. Winegar begins by examining both your smile and teeth to make a decision on whether teeth whitening is the right option for you. Occasionally, in certain cases another cosmetic treatment may be recommended to better meet your expectations. Generally, teeth whitening is a great option for patients, it is easy, safe and fast.
What Is The At-Home Whitening Process?
To start, impressions of your teeth are taken in order to have custom made whitening trays created in our lab, this ensures the trays fit comfortably in your mouth. The trays are designed to allow the whitening agent to flow to the areas that need to be whitened. Also, a record of your current tooth color will be taken which will allow us to closely monitor your progress.
The next step in the process is to actually fit the trays in your mouth to make sure they feel comfortable. Your dentist will give you full, clear instructions on how to insert the trays and also how and where to apply the whitening agent. You are then ready to bring your trays and whitening agent home. You can then decide when to treat your teeth, it does not matter when you do the treatment as the clear trays are not noticeable and they will not affect your speech.
When Will I See Results?
Right away! Almost 100% of patients will see a noticeable difference after the very first treatment. The average amount of time for a patient to fully restore their teeth to a beautiful, bright white color can be from 2 to 6 weeks. The length of the treatment depends on a few factors, how frequently the treatment is applied, how discolored the teeth are and the original color of your teeth.
How Long Will The Results Last?
Usually, the results will last for several years. The majority of patients will opt to maintain their whitened teeth by undergoing the treatment every six to twelve months. For patients who regularly consume staining beverages such as cola, coffee or tea, these ‘touch-up’ treatments are ideal.
Are There Any Side-Effects?
In some cases, patients may feel some sensitivity to cold, or mild gum sensitivity during the treatment. These symptoms are temporary and will go away after a few days.
