A sparkling white smile radiates youthfulness and oral health. You can get that look safely with professional teeth whitening at Pasadena Prosthodontics and General Dentistry in Pasadena, CA.
How whitening works
Teeth look pearly-smooth, but their surfaces are covered with tubules – microscopic channels that extend through enamel to the yellowish dentin layer underneath. A medical-grade peroxide formulation for whitening penetrates tubules, loosening and lifting pigments that tarnish your smile as it oxidizes. Professional whitening returns teeth to their original color, and with continued use can bleach enamel to a brighter shade. This is especially important to those with a genetically darker shade, or when enamel thins with age allowing dentin to show through.
Faster isn’t always better
Super-fast in-office whitening has become popular, but it isn’t necessarily the best solution. Light-activated whitening dehydrates enamel and can result in acute sensitivity.
Our dentists take extra steps to ensure a comfortable, successful whitening experience:
- They take time to evaluate your oral health prior to whitening. Tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues must be addressed first.
- Dental restorations – fillings, crowns, bridges, onlays, and inlays – do not respond to whitening. The dentist talks with you about options for sequencing replacement with whitening for even coloration.
- Impressions are taken of your mouth to create application trays. These clear plastic appliances fit comfortably, snugly holding the bleaching gel on tooth surfaces for even whitening results (no dark lines between teeth).
- You may wear the trays twice a day for 30 minutes, or overnight if you prefer, until you reach your whitening goals. Then, periodic re-treatment keeps your smile bright, even if you drink coffee or use tobacco.
- The whitening process effectively cleanses tubules, so you may experience sensitivity. With professional whitening, you have the guidance of a trained dental team. The dentist can adjust your treatment schedule, apply topical fluoride, or add a buffering ingredient to your whitening gel to minimize this issue.
Teeth whitening treatments explained by Dr. Marchack
What causes teeth discoloration?
There are many causes of discolored teeth. There are external influences and internal influences. External influences are maybe staining, and internal causes can be something from growth or just age.
What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening is an oxidation process to help whiten your teeth, and there are many different ways that we can whiten our teeth.
They are over the counter procedures, generic in-office procedures, custom trays, as well as Zoom whitening, which is a high powered procedure done in the office which creates great results.
It is a good idea to learn about teeth whitening, whether you schedule for a smile makeover or just want to liven up your look. Call our Pasadena, CA office at 855.770.3737.