If you glance in the mirror, you may notice your teeth aren’t exactly gleaming brightly. Tooth discolouration in Oshawa can occur due to lifestyle habits, ageing, certain medications, or if the tooth has suffered trauma.
One possible solution is teeth whitening in Whitby. At Margolian Dentistry, professional teeth whitening treatments are among our most popular procedures.
When you choose to have your teeth whitened professionally, you are assured of receiving safe and effective treatment. Only dentists have access to professional-strength products; most importantly, they are thoroughly trained to use them safely.
What Is Teeth Whitening?
A teeth whitening treatment is designed to brighten teeth, removing deep-seated stains. It can lift the overall colour of teeth by several shades.
A whitening product typically contains some form of bleach, usually hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is generally used for custom whitening kits. The bleach penetrates tooth enamel, removing stains.
A tooth whitening treatment depends on whether your tooth stains are extrinsic or intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are on the outside of the tooth and are treated with a normal tooth whitening procedure. Intrinsic stains are on the inside of the tooth and must be treated differently.
Extrinsic Tooth Whitening
Most teeth whitening treatments are performed on vital teeth with a tooth nerve. The whitening gel is applied to the outside of the tooth and quickly gets to work lifting stains.
Intrinsic Teeth Whitening
Some teeth are non-vital, which can happen if they have received root canal therapy, in which the tooth’s nerve is removed.
Sometimes, these teeth discolour internally. In this case, we may suggest bleaching the tooth internally or another whitening solution.
Can Any Tooth Be Whitened?
Some teeth respond better to a whitening treatment than others, depending on their natural shade. Teeth that are grey or purple, or whether discolouration is caused by certain antibiotics, for example tetracycline, will respond less well to a normal tooth whitening treatment.
During a tooth whitening treatment, teeth with restorations such as white fillings, crowns, or veneers will not change colour.
It’s also vital not to whiten teeth that are decayed, have failing fillings, or if there are signs of active gum disease or another dental problem. You need to have strong, healthy teeth for them to be suitable for whitening safely and comfortably.
A Dental Exam before Whitening Is Essential
When you visit our dental office for teeth whitening, we always perform a dental exam first. This exam enables us to assess your suitability for treatment, identify any teeth that will not whiten with an external application of whitening gel, and discuss the type of results you can reasonably expect.
If you have teeth that will not whiten, perhaps because they are internally stained or covered with dental restorations, we can discuss how to whiten them, so they blend beautifully with your new smile.
For example, we may recommend a professional teeth whitening treatment in Ajax before replacing any restorations with new crowns or veneers. Teeth that are internally stained could also be covered with veneers. This may be preferable if these teeth are not quite the right shape or size, and where using a veneer could help perfect their appearance.
A Customized Treatment for Comfort
As with all of our treatments, your teeth whitening will be fully customized. Our professional-strength whitening products are designed to reduce tooth sensitivity, ensuring the procedure is comfortable. Choose from an in-office whitening treatment for fast results or a custom home kit.
After you complete your tooth whitening treatment, we can advise you on how to care for your newly brightened teeth and how to make the results last longer.
