Enhancing the appearance of your smile doesn’t have to involve extensive dental work. In fact, the most sought-after procedure in cosmetic dentistry is teeth whitening, a non-invasive and affordable treatment that can drastically upgrade your smile. Lightening the shade of your teeth and reversing unsightly stains can take years off of your appearance and immediately boost your self-esteem. Here’s a closer look at the reasons for teeth whitening, what this simple cosmetic treatment involves and what you can expect afterwards.
Teeth Staining Culprits
Your teeth can discolor or stain for a variety of reasons, including those that may not be within your control. Extrinsic staining is the most common and also the type that is most easily reversed with teeth whitening. This refers to discoloration on the outer enamel of your teeth, such as those caused by drinking coffee, tea, cola or red wine. Smoking can also create extrinsic stains and give your teeth a yellow or darker hue.
Some teeth stains are more intrinsic in nature, due to triggers on the inside of the tooth. Certain medications can cause intrinsic staining or a darker-colored tooth can be an indication of trauma, disease or decay. Lastly, the natural aging process can contribute to yellow teeth, as it is common for the enamel of your teeth to thin as you get older, which reveals the more yellow dentin layer underneath.
Teeth Whitening Options
Teeth whitening can typically be carried out in three different ways: in-office treatment from your dentist, custom trays with professional whitening gel at home or over-the-counter whitening products on your own. There are clear distinctions between these methods in terms of effectiveness, time and cost.
Regardless of your approach, all teeth whitening treatments employ some type of bleaching solution to brighten the enamel of your teeth. While some methods will last longer than others, teeth whitening is a temporary solution. For a permanent change in your tooth shade, porcelain veneers or cosmetic bonding can be used.
—but since dentists use a stronger bleaching solution, your brighter tint may last longer and dentists can control the degree of whiteness better.
What is ZOOM Whitening
If you are looking for a teeth whitening option that is the safest, most effective and requires the least amount of time to see results, professional in-office teeth whitening is the way to go. While it requires a more upfront cost, the innovative technology and high-powered bleaching solution involved in systems like ZOOM Whitening can lighten your smile by six to seven shades in just one hour!
Zoom is a bleaching process widely used throughout the country and around the world to lighten discoloration of enamel and dentin. The Zoom in-office tooth whitening procedure uses the Zoom Advanced Power Chairside Lamp – said to accelerate the bleaching process – to activate the 25 percent hydrogen peroxide whitening. As the hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin to bleach the stained substances, leaving the structure of the tooth unchanged.
Best of all, your ZOOM Whitening is overseen by a dentist to ensure your oral health and comfort remain a top priority!
What You Need To Know Before
Before scheduling your teeth whitening procedure, it is important to know your goals and preferences for your new smile. How subtle or drastic do you want your teeth whitening results to be. Do you prefer to whiten in the comfort of your home or attain immediate results with a in-office session? Many patients choose the in-office treatment due to an upcoming event such as a wedding or family reunion.
It is equally important for patients to know their limitations before getting teeth whitening. This includes knowing which type of teeth stains you have and what you can personally expect from a professional-grade whitening system. If you have crowns, veneers, fillings or other dental work, you should understand that these materials don’t whiten like your natural teeth. Your dentist can help set accurate expectations for you during a brief consult before your appointment.
Extending Your Teeth Whitening Results
Now that you’ve invested in professional teeth whitening, it is important to extend your results as long as possible. This may involve avoiding cigarettes, drinking your coffee through a straw and using a whitening toothpaste or at-home touch-up kit provided by your dentist. At Group Health Dental, we welcome the opportunity to brighten your smile and boost your self-confidence. Teeth whitening is an easy, painless and highly effective way to makeover your smile. Call today to learn more about ZOOM Whitening in New York.
