Teeth Whitening
Tooth whitening is a simple, non-invasive dental procedure used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an easy way to enhance the beauty of your smile.
Because having whiter teeth has now become the number one esthetic concern of most patients, there are a number of ways to achieve the best result.
The most popular method is a take-home tooth whitening system, but there is also an in-office whitening system.
Since whitening only works on natural 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 whitened teeth. It is also important to have a full check up prior to any whitening procedure to assess the cause of the discoloration.
Tooth whitening is not permanent and touch-up brightening is required. The frequency of the brightening depends on your habits, so if you smoke, drink coffee, tea or red wine you may need to brighten more often than an individual who does not.
Reasons for tooth whitening:
- Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)
- Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline for example)
- Yellow or brown stained teeth