Teeth Whitening

In Fountain Hills, one of the most popular treatments in cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening. Whiter, brighter teeth look healthy and make you look healthy and happy! Universally valued by men and women alike, whitening treatments are available to satisfy every budget, time frame and temperament.

Whether in the form of one-hour whitening” 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 the general public is often misinformed about the procedure.

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. The yellowing stains of coffee, tea and cigarette use, in addition to the effects of various foods, cause the teeth to yellow over time, and eventually normal brushing will not effectively remove these stains.

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.  At Parkview Dentistry in Fountain Hills, we offer non-bleach teeth whitening procedures which will brighten your smile and light up your whole face.

Why Teeth Whitening? Starting with 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 sturdy enough to thwart the effects of chewing, gnashing, 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, millions of micro-cracks occur in the enamel 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:  Two Types of Attacks

Extrinsic stains appear on the surface of the teeth as a result of exposure to dark-colored beverages, foods and tobacco, in addition to 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, such as professional whitening treatments. 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 bywhitening. 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 whitening. Teeth that are thinner and more transparent – most notably the front teeth – have less of the pigment that is necessary for lightening. 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.

Obviously, none of us can avoid all the causes of dental staining, and at some point lightening and brightening your smile may be desirable or even a necessity.  Many wedding parties, graduates and even professionals who are presenting to a large audience will find themselves wanting – needing to brighten their smile.  The most effective means to treat all the types of staining that may be affecting your smile is by making an appointment at Parkview Dental in Fountain Hills.

How White Can You Go? A Matter of Aesthetics

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.  Remember that some too-white teeth are as objectionable as teeth that failed to brighten to the expected levels.

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 lighten their teeth are likely to see a change of two to seven shades.

Call Parkview Dentistry in Fountain Hills for your teeth whitening appointment at 480-836-1551.