As the name suggests, tooth whitening is the common method used to whiten moderately stained or discolored teeth by reversing the discoloration of the tooth enamel.

The Problem

The Solution

The Procedure

Advantages

Disadvantages

Alternatives

The Problem:

Teeth darkened from age
Teeth darkened from coffee, tea or smoking
Discolored teeth caused by the deterioration of a tooth’s nerve
Yellowing or discoloration of the teeth from excessive fluoride
Tetracycline (antibiotic) staining

Stains caused by fluoride or tetracycline may be lightened, but results are not as dramatic. Depending on the individual’s case, your hygienist and dentist can tailor an alternative treatment to whiten the severely stained teeth like veneers.

The Solution:

In principle, determining whether a patient is a candidate for whitening is mainly based upon diagnosing the exact cause of teeth discoloration. There are several types of whitening methods available but the most commonly used and effective ones are:

At-home Whitening:
This is the most popular method of whitening teeth; it is done at home but supervised by the hygienist.

In-office Instant (Power) Whitening:
This procedure is done in the office. It’s a very good choice when a single tooth needs to be bleached. It has a very high concentration of bleaching material so not everyone is a candidate for this method.

Tooth Whitening is a procedure that differs from one individual to another depending on the several reasons like type and color of stains, cause of stains, and patient’s teeth and gum health. The hygienist will discuss with you the best method to have a brighter smile.

Remember, tooth whitening IS NOT a permanent procedure.

The Procedure:

At-home Whitening:
The hygienist will take impressions of your teeth and create a comfortable custom-made mouth tray. The hygienist will give you the tray and tubes of bleach to take home. You will load your tray with bleach twice a day for ½ an hour (a total of 1 hour daily), for a period of one to two weeks or depending on the hygienist’s instructions.

In-office Instant (Power) Whitening:
It is very important that this procedure be performed by a trained hygienist to ensure best and safest results. The hygienist will first examine the mouth and gums to ensure that they are healthy. The hygienist will isolate and protect your lips, gums and inside lining of your mouth. Next, a bleaching agent is applied to the teeth 3 times during one hour.

Advantages:

At-home Whitening:
Since the trays are custom made to fit your mouth, less bleaching agent is likely to be swallowed. Also, checking in with your hygienist while your bleaching ensures that the procedure is going smoothly.

In-office Instant (Power) Whitening:
One visit to our office is usually all it takes to get a brighter smile.

Disadvantages:

There are no disadvantages for tooth whitening, but there are issues that you need to know about before making the decision of whitening your teeth:

Whitening is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women
Whitening is not recommended for children under the age of 14
Always discuss your expectations with your hygienist, do NOT have unrealistic expectations
If you have sensitive teeth or gums you should discuss with your hygienist and dentist before going for whitening
Fillings, crowns and any other kind of restoration DO NOT bleach, hence, they may not match the shade of your newly bleached teeth
It is recommended that whitening be done prior to placement of composite fillings, bonding or crowns in order to achieve the best match to your new tooth/teeth color

Alternatives:

Porcelain veneers are the best alternative to tooth whitening especially when the teeth discoloration is severe and the cause is tetracycline or excessive fluoride.