Lighter, Whiter, Brighter!

ardentcare — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:45:19 +0000

Some of the most common questions we get in the office concern how people can get whiter teeth. The answer depends on each person’s situation, but if you’re happy with the shape, size and position of your teeth, here is the rundown on products available to make them whiter.
Most ‘whitening’ toothpastes will not change the intrinsic color of teeth. They can remove some surface stain, but unfortunately they often are abrasive to tooth enamel and can increase tooth sensitivity for some people.
Peroxide whitening products such as strips, brush-on gels or professional systems will lighten tooth enamel. They will not lighten existing filling or bonding materials or crowns. Depending on how teeth look after whitening, replacing these materials may be necessary if they no longer match well. Over-the-counter products are generally safe when used as directed, however they can temporarily increase tooth sensitivity, so people with sensitive teeth may have difficulty tolerating them. People whose teeth are crowded may have a hard time adapting the strips closely to the teeth. Any whitening product must stay in close contact with the enamel for an hour in order to be effective. With any whitening system, having your teeth professionally cleaned first to remove any surface stain will increase the effectiveness of the whitening product.
Custom whitening kits are available through most dental offices. This involves making impressions (molds) of your teeth and then custom whitening trays are made to hold a whitening gel against your teeth. The trays fit well and are generally more comfortable and effective than over-the-counter systems. Problems with sensitivity can be minimized with desensitizing agents available from the office. These systems get tooth enamel as white as possible within a few weeks. Results will generally last two years, depending on habits like drinking red wine or smoking. Trays may be kept and used again in the future.
In-office whitening uses a strong peroxide solution applied directly to the teeth under a dentist’s supervision. In one to two hours, teeth are noticeably lighter. While this method is rapid, it can be uncomfortable and is not recommended for those with sensitive teeth. The end result is the same as would be achieved with custom trays, only more quickly.
There is a maximum whiteness of natural teeth that can be achieved through whitening systems. Once this is reached, teeth can only be made lighter by applying lighter materials to the teeth, such as porcelain or composite resin. Next time, we’ll talk about these materials and their uses. If you have questions about what would be recommended for you, please feel free to give us a call.

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Lighter, Whiter, Brighter!