Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening, also known as tooth bleaching, is one of the most popular procedures in the practice of general dentistry. The United States Food and Drug Association differentiates these two terms, with whitening as the “restoration of natural tooth color” and bleaching as “the whitening of the tooth beyond the natural color.” In this day and age, more and more people are exploring this procedure as a means of improving the appearance of their tooth. They say that there is nothing like a smile with pearly white teeth, but sadly, not everyone has a brilliant set inside their mouths.
Here are some of the frequently asked questions regarding the procedures involved with whitening or improving the appearance of one’s teeth, answered.
What does Teeth Whitening and bleaching address?
Basically, these procedures address the discoloration of teeth, which could be a source of insecurity for many patients.
What causes tooth discoloration?
There are plenty of factors that cause discoloration in the teeth. Some people are born with off-white teeth—this is not only natural, but also common. One’s diet can also affect the color of one’s teeth—soda, coffee, and tea can cause unsightly stains in teeth. Smoking is also another leading cause of discoloration.
What methods can be used to address tooth discoloration?
Tooth whitening has been around for thousands of years. The Ancient Romans prescribed urine and goat milk to whiten discolored teeth. However, more modern methods include bleaching strips, bleaching gels, whitening toothpastes, among others. These methods are often used at home, and results vary from patient to patient, depending on the strength of the formulation and the frequency of use.
If you are looking for a more immediate, lasting, and effective method of Teeth Whitening or whitening, it is highly recommended that you visit a cosmetic dentist for a professional procedure.
I have tried home kits and did not get the results I wanted. What do I do?
As mentioned earlier, results from home whitening kits vary from patient to patient and product to product. In-office whitening or bleaching treatments can give you more observable result.
How do those in-office whitening or bleaching treatments work?
One of the aspects that differentiate in-office treatments from home kits is the type of equipment used; that and the licensed dental professional who will perform the treatment on the patient. Typically, an in-office treatment involves the use of lasers and high-grade bleaching agents.
What kind of tooth whitening treatment does Sam Dental?
Sam Dental offers the latest in laser whitening, called the Zoom II Laser Whitening System. This is a very safe system that provides patients with lasting results (provided that the patient follows proper dental care practices at home, such as regular brushing and flossing).
The procedure takes over an hour, and we ensure that our patients are very comfortable during the course of treatment. A licensed dental professional will perform the procedure, and will provide the patients with tips and recommendations to preserve the impressive results of the whitening procedure.