Revive your Radiant Smile with Teeth Whitening at Kravitz Dental
Teeth whitening (or bleaching) is an excellent solution to a smile that has lost its luster. This non-invasive cosmetic treatment doesn’t just restore the natural shade of your teeth; it can take you beyond that to a whole new level of brightness. The purpose of teeth whitening is not to cover up stains; it is to remove them completely. If it’s time to revive your smile, we’re here to help you.
Why is teeth whitening necessary?
Most of us lose a bit of brightness in our smile over time. This is because we eat and drink items that contain pigment. Even natural foods like berries and tea can eventually lead to discoloration. When we consume food, or when tobacco is consumed, microscopic particles seep into the pores in the enamel. These particles block light, which causes teeth to dull and turns yellow. Stains from food and tobacco are superficial, which makes them perfect targets for professional teeth whitening.
How does teeth whitening work?
At Kravitz Dental, we offer two methods of teeth whitening. Patients who do not want to wait another day for a radiant smile or prefer to have us do the work for them appreciate the convenience and speed of in-office whitening.
Zoom! in-office teeth whitening takes about an hour. To begin, we insert cheek retractors and cotton to keep your teeth from touching. Then, a protective liquid solution is carefully applied to your gums to prevent contact with peroxide. Finally, we apply the peroxide bleaching agent to your teeth. Now you are ready for whitening! While light is directed at your teeth to activate the whitening gel, you will wear protective glasses. After 15 minutes, we will remove the layer of whitening gel and assess the initial results. If you want your teeth to be whiter, we can repeat this process two more times.
In-office teeth whitening has its advantages, but it’s not for everyone. We also offer take-home whitening systems that can achieve the same dramatic lift as an in-office treatment, but over a longer period of time. Home whitening is also convenient because custom-fit trays keep the whitening gel firmly in place, so you can wear whitening trays while you work, clean, watch television, or sleep. Home whitening involves two visits: one for obtaining impressions for your whitening trays and one for delivery of your trays and whitening gel.
Both in-office and home treatment can be performed after a dental exam with x-rays has confirmed there are no dental problems that may be irritated by the whitening process. Also, if you have not had a dental cleaning recently, we may recommend that this is obtained before your cosmetic treatment.
How does teeth whitening work?
When a bleaching agent is applied to the tooth and left in place for a designated length of time, oxygen molecules seep into the pores of enamel. When oxygen comes into contact with stain-causing debris, separation of those molecules occurs. As this process continues and stain molecules are dislodged, teeth become lighter.
Is teeth bleaching harmful to enamel?
The bleaching agents used in the dental office are powerful enough to achieve excellent results, but not so strong that they damage enamel. It is safe to have your teeth whitened every so often, as long as you are keeping up with routine dental care as well.
Why does teeth whitening cause sensitivity?
Many people do experience mild and temporary sensitivity after teeth whitening. The reason is that the bleaching solution used penetrates through an invisible biofilm that protects enamel. This solution then enters the pores of enamel to disrupt molecules that have accumulated there. These two actions can heighten the nerve reactivity in teeth for a short time.
Is teeth whitening permanent?
Because of the nature of discoloration and its association with foods and beverages, it is unlikely that a single round of teeth whitening will achieve permanent results. Some people may desire touch-ups, depending on their lifestyle. Whereas others may have their teeth whitened far less frequently.
How can results from teeth whitening be maintained?
The best way to maintain the results of teeth whitening is to brush and floss your teeth every day. Smoking or other tobacco use will cause discoloration to occur more quickly. Rinsing your mouth with water after snacks and meals may also dilute residue to prevent the accumulation of stain-causing molecules. Finally, routine cleanings in our Miami or Pembroke Pines office polishes surface enamel to prolong the effects of your treatment.
We can help you bring more radiance to your smile. Call an office near you to schedule your consultation for teeth whitening.
