From the foods and drinks we consume, to our oral healthcare habits, a number of factors can lead to stained teeth. But once our smiles develop discoloration, what can we do to brighten our smiles? In today’s blog, we’re looking at the options your Charles City, IA, dentist offers to brighten smiles and help them shine.
Your Initial Exam
All treatments begin with a thorough examination. We need to assess the cause and severity of your discoloration. From there, we can choose the optimal treatment option. Most teeth stains are extrinsic, meaning they form on the surface as a result of poor oral hygiene, the foods and drinks we consume, or cigarettes and tobacco use. However, some discoloration forms below the outer enamel, and is known as intrinsic discoloration. These could be caused by fluorosis, tetracycline use, or injury to the teeth. Understanding your discoloration is key to the cosmetic treatment process!
Our At-Home Whitening System
Our professional whitening option can often correct both intrinsic and extrinsic discoloration. We begin by creating a custom-made tray from a comfortable acrylic material. Next, we prescribe a powerful bleaching gel. At home, patients will fill the trays with the gel. The trays help spread the gel evenly across your entire smile. The trays will be worn for between 30 and 45 minutes each day, with the total treatment period taking about one to two weeks. For many, teeth will be brightened by over eight shades! We can then discuss tips for keeping your new results, including regular brushing and flossing, checkups and cleanings, and cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, or consuming fewer beverages with dark pigments.
Masking Intrinsic Stains
What if your intrinsic teeth stains don’t respond to teeth whitening? If we examine your smile and find your intrinsic stains are too severe for traditional whitening options, that doesn’t mean you can’t still obtain a bright and beautiful smile! Instead of removing these stains, we will mask them with other cosmetic treatment options. For example, dental bonding can mask them in one visit, using the same material we employ in our tooth-colored dental fillings. Porcelain veneers, thin restorations placed over the front of the teeth, can instantly change the color and shape of a tooth. For some patients, we may combine veneers and bonding for a more cost-effective option. If you have any questions about obtaining a brighter smile, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Teeth Whitening Questions?
Don’t resign yourself to loving with stained teeth, talk to our team about professional cosmetic options. To learn more about teeth whitening, schedule a visit by calling Central Park Dentistry in Charles City, IA, today at (641) 228-1115. We also proudly welcome patients from Osage, New Hampton, Greene, and all surrounding communities.
