Teeth Whitening

Do you want your teeth to be whiter? Whitening of teeth is universally desirable and accepted well around the world. It is the most conservative and economical option of improving your smile and self esteem.

There are almost no side effects to this process if the whitening is carried out properly. There can however be too much whitening. A good rule to gauge an adequate white is to match to the shade of white in the eyes.

Some patients also experience sensitivity following whitening but this usually goes away within a few days.

Some tooth shades respond better to whitening than others do.

Discoloration due to a pulp breakdown does respond initially to whitening but the discoloration tends to return over time.

Internal tooth discolorations during tooth development in childhood can often be lightened with some degree of success.

Florosis (excessive floride) can be resistant to significant shade changes but can be aided by whitening

Staining of teeth from a diet comprised of dark color foods such as coffee, tea or chocolate is very easily removed.

Discolorations as a result of aging also noticeably respond to whitening.

Options for teeth whitening:

Veneers and Crowns are a great alternative when the internal discoloration in teeth is significant and whitening is unlikely to significantly lighten the shade. The restorative alternatives are more expensive and extensive but can also correct decay, misshapen and mal positioned teeth.

Bonding is the process of adding a thin layer of resin material over the surface of the tooth to improve shade and minor defects on the surface of the tooth. Although less expensive than a veneer or a crown, bonded restorations can significantly improve esthetics but may discolor over time needing replacement.

At Home Whitening This widely used and hugely successful whitening technique is the most popular one in dentistry. A flexible tray is custom made for your mouth. After adequate instructions are given by the dental staff, you are given hydrogen peroxide to take home with you. Each day you will place a small amount of material into the tray and seat in the mouth for various lengths of time as instructed. The progress is monitored by the dental staff to avoid unwanted effects. Several days later, a significant whitening of teeth is observed. There may be slight sensitivity with the procedure, which goes away in a couple of days.

In Office Whitening is a supervised whitening which takes place within the office. In office whitening uses higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide compared to at home whitening. The major advantage to doing in office whitening is the result is accomplished much faster but the disadvantage is that there could be more tooth sensitivity because of the rapid pace of whitening. De sensitizers can be applied to the sensitive areas to reduce post -whitening sensitivity.

Cost is moderate for both the options.

A wide range of whitening products are available over the counter (OTC) that produce varying degrees of results. Some work better than others and depend on the degree and the nature of discoloration. In general, OTC products are less effective than the dentist supervised products. Do seek dental professional guidance in selecting the best OTC whitening products to help maintain a shade that blends with your natural teeth and dental restorations. OTC products however, do not have the predictability of professional whitening.

Some degree of whitening is reversed within days of the whitening procedure and stabilizes within a couple of weeks and only slowly progresses towards a darker color overtime. The whitening process may need to be repeated within a year and sometimes months.

Visit www.smileartistrychino.com for details or call 9-09 627 6699 for an appointment.

Dental Veneers- Ceramic or Composite- What are the Considerations?

For a discolored tooth, chipped tooth, misshaped tooth or a tooth slightly out of alignment, a dental veneer may be an option.

 An explosion of dental materials and techniques have provided ample solutions to correct the condition and there are several considerations to assess to arrive at the best choice for you..

Age, cost and  durability are usually at the top of the consideration list. Location of the defect, is defect natural or acquired, oral habits, smile line, personality, occupation are other important considerations.

Veneer is a thin covering that is placed over the front of the tooth. Any stain or decay present on any additional surfaces will more likely be better served with a crown or other full coverage restorations making a veneer an inadequate choice.

The age of the patient is another important consideration. A conservative composite veneer is an excellent choice for a tooth is the developing stage. A developing smile which is constantly evolving is best fitted with a composite veneer that is economical and  can be easily modified with changes in shape, shade and configuration, unlike a lab fabricated ceramic veneer.

Ceramic veneers are thin shells made of a strong, stain resistant and durable dental ceramic. A very small amount of tooth structure is removed  to make room for a natural and ideal looking tooth form.This restoration involves more than one visit and is fabricated in the dental lab. Ceramic veneers are the most natural looking with customizable,  polychromatic shades to exactly match and compliment the adjacent teeth- an ideal option for highly visible smiles requiring a confidence boost. These are  the veneers that are highlighted in the much publicized smile make overs. A thorough understanding of the underlying design principles and identifying dental labs and technicians that are detail oriented and take pride in their creations is the key to achieving these results.

Teeth must be healthy and free of decay and active periodontal disease prior to veneer preparation. The process is irreversible once the enamel is removed.

Patients who clench and grind their teeth are not good candidates for veneers, because the thin veneers may chip or break. A plastic dental nightguard is usually recommended to help minimize the stress on the teeth.

No special maintenance is needed other than good oral hygiene each day. Avoid biting fingernails and chewing on hard objects such as pencils or ice to keep veneers well maintained.

Visit www.smileartistrychino.com or call our office at 909 627 6699 to schedule a cosmetic consultation. 

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