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CALL NOW ABOUT OUR $99.00 INTRODUCTORY SPECIAL
At Positive Results Laser we will treat you with the utmost care,
we will not over treat or under treat for any type of therapy
and we offer very competative pricing.
2 - 6 SHADES LIGHTER IN ONE HOUR
Before
After One Treatment
Teeth Whitening
In the blossoming world of cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening reigns supreme. Universally valued by men and women alike, whitening (or bleaching) treatments are available to satisfy every budget, time frame and temperament.
Whether in the form of one-hour bleaching sessions at your dentist’s office, or home-use bleaching kits purchased at your local drugstore, teeth whitening solutions abound. Yet only 15 percent of the population has tried the cosmetic procedure, and misinformation on the subject is rife.
The long and the short of it is that teeth whitening works. Virtually everyone who opts for this cosmetic treatment will see moderate to substantial improvement in the brightness and whiteness of their smile. However, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and requires maintenance or "touch-ups" for a prolonged effect.
Bleaching vs. Whitening
According to the FDA, the term "bleaching" is permitted to be used only when the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This applies strictly to products that contain bleach — typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
The term "whitening," on the other hand, refers to restoring a tooth’s surface color by removing dirt and debris. So any product that cleans (like a toothpaste) is considered a whitener. Of course, the term whitening sounds better than bleaching, so it is more frequently used — even when describing products that contain bleach.
Why Teeth Whitening? Examining Enamel
Most of us start out with sparkling white teeth, thanks to their porcelain-like enamel surface. Composed of microscopic crystalline rods, tooth enamel is designed to protect the teeth from the effects of chewing, gnashing, trauma and acid attacks caused by sugar. But over the years enamel is worn down, becoming more transparent and permitting the yellow color of dentin — the tooth’s core material — to show through.
During routine chewing, dentin remains intact while millions of micro-cracks occur in the enamel. It is these cracks, as well as the spaces between the crystalline enamel rods, that gradually fill up with stains and debris. As a result, the teeth eventually develop a dull, lackluster appearance.
Teeth whitening removes the stains and debris, leaving the enamel cracks open and exposed. Some of the cracks are quickly re-mineralized by saliva, while others are filled up again with organic debris.
Tooth Discoloration: The Two Types of Tooth Stains
There are two categories of staining as it relates to the teeth: extrinsic staining and intrinsic staining.
Extrinsic stains are those that appear on the surface of the teeth as a result of exposure to dark-colored beverages, foods and tobacco, and routine wear and tear. Superficial extrinsic stains are minor and can be removed with brushing and prophylactic dental cleaning. Stubborn extrinsic stains can be removed with more involved efforts, like teeth bleaching. Persistent extrinsic stains can penetrate into the dentin and become ingrained if they are not dealt with early.
Intrinsic stains are those that form on the interior of teeth. Intrinsic stains result from trauma, aging, exposure to minerals (like tetracycline) during tooth formation and/or excessive ingestion of fluoride. In the past, it was thought that intrinsic stains were too resistant to be corrected by bleaching. Today, cosmetic dentistry experts believe that even deep-set intrinsic stains can be removed with supervised take-home teeth whitening that is maintained over a matter of months or even a year.
What Causes Tooth Staining?
Age: There is a direct correlation between tooth color and age. Over the years, teeth darken as a result of wear and tear and stain accumulation. Teenagers will likely experience immediate, dramatic results from whitening. In the twenties, as the teeth begin to show a yellow cast, teeth-whitening may require a little more effort. By the forties, the yellow gives way to brown and more maintenance may be called for. By the fifties, the teeth have absorbed a host of stubborn stains which can prove difficult (but not impossible) to remove.
Starting color: We are all equipped with an inborn tooth color that ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey, and intensifies over time. Yellow-brown is generally more responsive to bleaching than green-grey.
Translucency and thinness: These are also genetic traits that become more pronounced with age. While all teeth show some translucency, those that are opaque and thick have an advantage: they appear lighter in color, show more sparkle and are responsive to bleaching. Teeth that are thinner and more transparent — most notably the front teeth — have less of the pigment that is necessary for bleaching. According to cosmetic dentists, transparency is the only condition that cannot be corrected by any form of teeth whitening.
Eating habits: The habitual consumption of red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges and other deeply-colored beverages and foods causes considerable staining over the years. In addition, acidic foods such as citrus fruits and vinegar contribute to enamel erosion. As a result, the surface becomes more transparent and more of the yellow-colored dentin shows through.
Smoking habits: Nicotine leaves brownish deposits which slowly soak into the tooth structure and cause intrinsic discoloration.
Drugs / chemicals: Tetracycline usage during tooth formation produces dark grey or brown ribbon stains which are very difficult to remove. Excessive consumption of fluoride causes fluorosis and associated areas of white mottling.
Grinding: Most frequently caused by stress, teeth grinding (gnashing, bruxing, etc.) can add to micro-cracking in the teeth and can cause the biting edges to darken.
Trauma: Falls and other injuries can produce sizable cracks in the teeth, which collect large amounts of stains and debris.
Teeth Whitening Options
Three major teeth whitening options are available today. All three rely on varying concentrations of peroxide and varying application times.
In-Office Whitening
Significant color change in a short period of time is the major benefit of in-office whitening. This protocol involves the carefully controlled use of a relatively high-concentration peroxide gel, applied to the teeth by the dentist or trained technician after the gums have been protected with a paint-on rubber dam. Generally, the peroxide remains on the teeth for several 15 to 20 minute intervals that add up to an hour (at most). Those with particularly stubborn staining may be advised to return for one or more additional bleaching sessions, or may be asked to continue with a home-use whitening system.
In-office teeth whitening cost: $650 per visit (on average) nationwide.
Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Kits
Many dentists are of the opinion that professionally dispensed take-home whitening kits can produce the best results over the long haul. Take-home kits incorporate an easy-to-use lower-concentration peroxide gel that remains on the teeth for an hour or longer (sometimes overnight). The lower the peroxide percentage, the longer it may safely remain on the teeth. The gel is applied to the teeth using custom-made bleaching trays that resemble mouth guards.
Take-home teeth whitening kit cost: $100 to $400.
Over-the-Counter Whitening
The cheapest and most convenient of the teeth whitening options, over-the-counter bleaching involves the use of a store-bought whitening kit, featuring a bleaching gel with a concentration lower than that of the professionally dispensed take-home whiteners. The gel is applied to the teeth via one-size-fits-all trays, whitening strips or paint-on applicators. In many cases this may only whiten a few of the front teeth unlike custom trays that can whiten the entire smile.
Over-the-counter teeth whitening cost: $20 to $100.
Hydrogen Peroxide vs. Carbamide Peroxide
The bleach preference for in-office whitening, where time is limited, is powerful and fast-acting hydrogen peroxide. When used in teeth bleaching, hydrogen peroxide concentrations range from approximately nine percent to 40 percent.
By contrast, the bleach of preference for at-home teeth whitening is slower acting carbamide peroxide, which breaks down into hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide has about a third of the strength of hydrogen peroxide. This means that a 15 percent solution of carbamide peroxide is the rough equivalent of a five percent solution of hydrogen peroxide.
How White Can You Go? A Matter of Esthetics
Teeth whitening results are subjective, varying considerably from person to person. Many are immediately delighted with their outcome, while others may be disappointed. Before you embark on any whitening treatment, ask your dentist for a realistic idea of the results you are likely to achieve and how long it should take to achieve them. Expectations play a major role in teeth whitening.
Whitening Shade Guides
In the dental office, before-and-after tooth color is typically measured with shade guides. These are hand-held displays of wide ranges of tooth colors. (Dentists also use them in choosing crown and other restoration shades.)
The standard-setter among them has long been the Vitapan Classic Shade Guide. This shade guide standard incorporates 16 shades, systematically arranged from light to dark into four color groups, and provides a universal tooth-color terminology.
While whitening can occasionally lighten tooth color by nine or more shades, most of those who bleach their teeth are likely to see a change of two to seven shades.
Teeth Whitening Risks
Teeth whitening treatments are considered to be safe when procedures are followed as directed. However, there are certain risks associated with bleaching that you should be aware of:
- Sensitivity: Bleaching can cause a temporary increase in sensitivity to temperature, pressure and touch. This is likeliest to occur during in-office whitening, where higher-concentration bleach is used. Some individuals experience spontaneous shooting pains (“zingers”) down the middle of their front teeth.
Individuals at greatest risk for whitening sensitivity are those with gum recession, significant cracks in their teeth or leakage resulting from faulty restorations. It has also been reported that redheads, including those with no other risk factors, are at particular risk for tooth sensitivity and zingers.
Whitening sensitivity lasts no longer than a day or two, but in some cases may persist up to a month. Some dentists recommend a toothpaste containing potassium nitrate for sensitive teeth. - Gum irritation: Over half of those who use peroxide whiteners experience some degree of gum irritation resulting from the bleach concentration or from contact with the whitening trays. Such irritation typically lasts up to several days, dissipating after bleaching has stopped or the peroxide concentration lowered.
- Technicolor teeth: Restorations such as bonding, dental crowns or porcelain veneers are not affected by bleach and therefore maintain their default color while the surrounding teeth are whitened. This results in what is frequently called “technicolor teeth.”
Maintaining Your Whiter Smile
To extend the longevity of newly whitened teeth, dentists are likely to recommend:
- At-home follow-up or maintenance whitening — implemented immediately or performed as infrequently as once a year.
- Avoiding dark-colored foods and beverages for at least a week after whitening.
- Whenever possible, sipping dark-colored beverages with a straw.
- Practicing excellent oral hygiene — brushing and flossing after meals and at bedtime.
Caveats
In addition to the aforementioned risk factors, a number of caveats should be considered before undergoing teeth whitening:
- No amount of bleaching will yield “unnaturally” white teeth.
- Whitening results are not fully seen until approximately two weeks after bleaching. This is an important consideration if you are about to have ceramic restorations and want to be sure the color matches that of your newly bleached teeth.
- If cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers or other restorations are part of your treatment plan, they should not be placed until a minimum of two weeks following bleaching to ensure proper adhesive bonding, function and shade matching.
- To avoid the technicolor effect, tooth-colored restorations will likely need replacement after bleaching.
- Recessed gums often reveal their yellowish root surfaces at the gum line. That yellow color has proven difficult to bleach.
- Pregnant or nursing women are advised to avoid teeth whitening. The potential impact of swallowed bleach on the fetus or baby is not yet known.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Britesmile, Opalescence, Sapphire and Zoom
Reviewed By: Larry Addleson, DDS, FAACD
Teeth Whitening Basics
- At-Home Teeth Whitening
Professional in-office teeth whitening is the most popular cosmetic dental procedure in the world today. Unlike home-use whitening systems that incorporate low-dose bleaching agents, in-office whitening (also known as power bleaching, power whitening, professional whitening or chairside whitening) takes place under carefully monitored conditions which allow for the safe, controlled, pain-free use of a relatively high concentration of bleaching gel — yielding results that are visible immediately.
As the years pass by, many things in life fall into discoloration. The same is most definitely true of teeth. Without vigilant care and teeth whitening treatments, our teeth can become faded, yellowed remnants of their former selves.
More recently, the aesthetic of a bright white smile has entered societal consciousness with a vengeance - making teeth whitening one of the most requested cosmetic dentistry procedures. There are several ways to achieve the desired result of whiter teeth, from visiting your dentist in his or her office for or treatments, to using products to whiten teeth at home.
How Your Teeth Become Discolored
Tooth discoloration happens to people of all walks of life, and it is precipitated by different factors. Most of these factors are related to lifestyle and habits, and thankfully, can be corrected. Red wine, tea, coffee, and tobacco use can cause teeth to become discolored over time. Foods and beverages with high acidity levels can also bring about staining and erosion of enamel, which can lead to permanent discoloration.
According to popular lore, smoking permanently discolors your teeth – until now.
New teeth whitening treatments, such as Rembrandt, are available to reverse the signs of your vices, revealing the beautiful, white smile that has been hiding for years.
The rise in at-home teeth whitening products has many individuals continually working on whitening their smiles. Dentistry advancements allow people to whiten teeth in 30 minutes, fitting in professional treatments even during the workday lunch hour. In extreme cases, when teeth whitening treatments do not work, veneers may be recommended.
If you are an individual that suffers from tooth discoloration, a change in eating and drinking habits and/or quitting smoking or other tobacco use is recommended – ensuring that your pearly smile after teeth whitening treatment.
You Have Teeth Whitening Options
Whitening your teeth has become much easier, especially in comparison to the procedures of the past. Depending upon the degree to which you wish to whiten your teeth, there are strips, gels, lights, gums, and dissolving strips. If you want to achieve a perfectly sparkling smile, then there are also several professional teeth whitening options you can enjoy, including Opalescence, LaserSmile, and LumaArch.
Working on your tooth whitening regimen at home sounds convenient and less expensive to some. To others, a professional opinion and touch is just what they seek for whiter teeth. Both ways can be advantageous, and it is ultimately up to the individual to decide what’s best for your teeth whitening needs.
A package of teeth whitening strips can run anywhere from $20 to $50, and the effectiveness of the product should be researched before you begin spending money on a product. Most of the at-home teeth whitening products are effective, only some yield results in a more timely fashion than others. The key to home teeth whitening treatments is that you must diligently apply the product over a course of several weeks or months.
However, if you are looking to quickly and conveniently whiten your teeth, you should enjoy an appointment with your dentist. In just one quick visit, you can enjoy a smile that is shades whiter with innovative treatments, such as Zoom Teeth Whitening, BriteSmile, or Niveous. Without any messy teeth whitening trays, gels, or strips, a professional teeth whitening treatment is the easiest way to achieve a beautiful, Hollywood smile – and it can most often be done in one appointment during your lunch hour!
Final Thoughts on Teeth Whitening
Having white teeth is a cultural aesthetic, and one that we have grown more aware of in recent years – evidenced by the rise of teeth whitening products available on the market. Options for achieving your level of teeth whiteness are available for individuals to make their own decisions.
At Positive Results Laser we will treat you with the utmost care,
will not over treat or under treat for any type of therapy
and we offer very competative pricing.
