Teeth whitening treatment is the process of lightening the color of natural human teeth. Your teeth may lose their bright white color and become yellowed gradually due to various reasons. For example, the beverages we take, the food we eat, smoking, advancing in age, and the use of some medications affect the color of our teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is an active ingredient found in whitening products that acts as an oxidizing agent and creates a whitening effect for a brighter smile. Teeth whitening in Tracy may be in-office or home-based. In-office whitening is faster and more effective when compared to take-home whitening options.
Types of Teeth Stains
1. Extrinsic stains
Extrinsic stains are stains acquired on the surface of a tooth after absorption of colored compounds. It is caused by environmental factors such as medications, tobacco, pigments found in foods and drinks, and metallic compounds.
2. Intrinsic stains
Intrinsic stains are stains that occur during the development of a tooth and cannot be removed. Sources of intrinsic stains include tooth decay, restorative materials used during root canal treatments, dental trauma, aging, tooth wear, fluorosis, medication, metabolic disorders, and hemolytic disease of the newborn.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
In-office teeth whitening methods at Innovo Dental and Implant Studio involve a dentist throughout the procedure. Before treatment begins, a review of your health and dental history is carried out. Professional teeth whitening in Tracy starts with a thorough examination of your teeth and gums through digital imaging to ensure that complications like excessive sensitivity do not occur. Teeth whitening shade guides are used to measure the color of your teeth, guide on the desired tooth color, and determine the effectiveness of the treatment.
The dentist uses light energy to accelerate the process of bleaching. This type of bleaching requires the application of a light-cured protective layer on the gums and tips of the gums between your teeth to protect the oral soft tissues. Stains that cannot be removed in an in-office teeth whitening treatment are covered using dental veneers or bonding. After a successful teeth whitening procedure, our dentist in 95376 will give you customized bleaching trays to use at home to maintain the new color of your teeth.
Types of In-Office Bleaching Procedures
i. Micro-abrasion
The dentist uses a dental device that emits water, a powder, and compressed air to remove extrinsic stains.
ii. Prophylaxis
An electric device and an abrasive paste are used together to gently remove stains and whiten your teeth.
iii. Laser teeth whitening
The dentist will paste a peroxide-based gel carefully on the teeth and shines a beam of light from the laser on the tooth to whiten it. The heat produced breaks down stains and lightens the color of the teeth.
iv. Zoom teeth whitening.
A zoom light is activated on the surface of the teeth for fifteen minutes after the dentist applies a hydrogen peroxide gel on them.
Benefits of an In-Office Teeth Whitening
- In-office teeth whitening methods are safe and professionally done using FDA-approved appliances and products.
- Treatment is personalized according to the patient’s needs.
- Dentists carefully monitor the whitening process to ensure that you are protected from gum irritation and tooth sensitivity.
- The treatment is fast and has long-lasting results.
- After the treatment, you will have a brighter smile.
- You are ensured of better oral health since stains caused by bacteria are removed, and the risk of cavities and gum disease is minimized.
At-Home Teeth Whitening Methods
A patient may choose to whiten their teeth at home using products from their dentists or obtained over-the-counter. However, this type of bleaching is not as effective as in-office beaching and may result in severe teeth sensitivity and gum injury. Some of the methods are:
i. Tray-based method
The patient wears a fitted tray that contains a bleaching gel for a certain period to whiten their teeth.
ii. Strips and gels
Plastic whitening strips that contain a layer of peroxide gel are placed on the surfaces of the discolored teeth. A gel that also contains peroxide is applied to the surface of the teeth that require whitening using a small brush.
iii. Whitening rinses
The patient uses this rinse for a minute twice every day to improve the color of their teeth.
iv. Whitening toothpaste
Special toothpaste with higher amounts of abrasives and detergents are used to lighten your tooth color by one or two shades.