Teeth Whitening
In recent years, patients of Dr. Stewart have increasingly requested teeth whitening, a procedure that removes stains and discolorations. A bright, white smile communicates good health, confidence and makes a positive impression on others. Because teeth are porous, discoloration and staining of the teeth is relatively common. Red wine, soda, coffee, tea and other types of food and drink contribute to tooth discoloration over time. Some medications such as tetracycline may produce yellow grayish teeth.
Two Types of Teeth Whitening Procedures
In-Office Whitening: Teeth whitening in the dental office is safe and extremely effective. Your teeth may become eight to 10 shades whiter within 45 minutes. During your office visit, you will sit comfortably in the dental chair while your teeth are prepared. The doctors will use a tissue barrier to protect the lips and gums. A whitening gel comprised of carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide is applied to the teeth. The application of the whitening gel is performed in three parts of a single procedure. A special lamp is used to activate the whitening gel and speeds up the whitening process. Once the gel is activated, it remains on the teeth for 15 minutes until the next application for a total of three treatments during a single office visit.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening: While the in-office process of teeth whitening takes place in a single session of about an hour, some patients opt for the take-home method in which Dr. Stewart sends you home with a teeth whitening kit. The kit contains mouth trays that are filled with a teeth-whitening gel and placed over the teeth for up to 4 hours at a time. Take-home teeth whitening requires several hours of application over a 5 to 14 day time period and the results may not be as satisfactory as the in-office procedure, depending upon the severity of the tooth discoloration.
Some Considerations
Following a teeth whitening procedure, you may experience minimal tooth sensitivity for a very short period of time. It is important to note that teeth whitening may not work for some severe cases of tooth discoloration. In such cases, Dr. Stewart may recommend dental veneers.