Stains might appear on your teeth over time, which can make you feel less satisfied with the appearance of your smile. Your dentist can offer teeth whitening treatment both in their office and as a take-home kit. You can see a brighter smile according to your aesthetic goals.
But teeth whitening will target specific types of stains on your teeth and will not benefit all dental patients. A dentist can determine which cosmetic dental solution can help your smile during a consultation appointment. And you can read on to learn more about the enhancement to your tooth color that professional teeth whitening can accomplish for your smile.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening treatment offered by your dentist will involve a special gel containing bleaching agents being applied to the teeth. These ingredients will penetrate into the enamel where your toothbrush cannot reach to lift dental stains to the surface.
Then the dentist can easily wash away the stains to leave you with a smile several shades brighter. With the take-home option, you receive trays containing this gel that you wear over your teeth as directed. Then gradually, the stains start to lift and fade to give you the pearly white smile of your dreams.
The involvement of a dentist and their supervision ensures both a safe application and more precise results. The one-size-fits-all approach of an over-the-counter whitening product might risk uncomfortable side effects or an uneven finish that does not work for your unique smile.
What Tooth Stains Can Whitening Treat?
Professional teeth whitening will work for extrinsic dental stains. This refers to stains within the enamel but not far from the surface of the teeth. This type of dental discoloration forms due to consuming staining agents. Examples can include red wine, coffee, tea, or tobacco products.
The bleaching gel cannot treat intrinsic tooth stains, however, which develop in the deeper layers of the enamel. The product cannot reach this discoloration, which can occur due to aging or medication side effects. But if you do have these stains, a dentist can find alternative ways to make your smile appear whiter.
How Can My Dentist Get Rid of Other Tooth Discoloration?
While professional whitening treatment cannot address all stains, your dentist can work with you to find a solution that will help you achieve your ideal tooth color. The personalized cosmetic dental approach will consider your desired results as well as your existing dental structure and medical history to find the ideal treatment to brighten your teeth.
One way to do this is through dental bonding. A dentist can apply a tooth-colored resin to the teeth to cover stains and achieve an even and whiter finish to your smile. These results can last for three to ten years if you follow your dentist’s aftercare advice. Take note that bonding can stain if you are not careful.
A dentist could also recommend porcelain veneers, custom caps that attach to the front of teeth to build a whiter and straighter smile. These fixtures resist staining and can stay on your smile for fifteen years.