Have you ever thought about how complicated your teeth are? While they may look like a simple piece of bone, each tooth contains several different layers of different materials, as well as an individual system of roots and blood vessels. That means keeping them looking their best is also complicated, especially when it comes to improving the whiteness of your teeth. You might be wondering how you can improve the whiteness of your teeth. The truth is, no over-the-counter product can completely eliminate stains and discoloration. If you want a truly whiter smile, you need a professional teeth whitening treatment.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
For starters, not all stains are the same. Some stains are only on the surface of your tooth enamel, while others find their way into tiny cracks in your enamel. This kind of stains can penetrate your dentin, which is much deeper than that any over-the-counter teeth whitening product like what you buy at the grocery store can reach. Whitening products and whitening toothpastes reduce discoloration by eliminating a portion of stain on the surface of your teeth.
On the other hand, professional whitening options can eliminate the stains on the inside and outside of your enamel. At Germantown Dental Group, we use several different techniques to eliminate tough stains on the inside of your enamel. We use bleach to penetrate the tooth and eliminate stains on the dentin layer. We will restore the color on the outside of your tooth by using a combination of of whitening agents and mechanical tools.
Zoom Whitening in Germantown
When considering the best way to whiten your teeth, you have a lot of options, such as toothpastes, strips, gel and tray systems, and laser tooth whitening. However, none of these whiten faster or more effectively than the Zoom! System. With the innovative teeth bleaching system from Zoom!, which includes a professional-strength whitening gel that is activated by a special light, your teeth can get dramatically whiter in one visit to our Germantown office.
This system has been clinically proven to be safe and effective. Many dentists consider teeth bleaching to be one of the safest cosmetic dentistry procedures available. Basically anyone can benefit from this tooth whitening treatment. As a bonus at Germantown Dental Group, you will receive complimentary whitening trays for touch ups in the future. Contact us to schedule a tooth whitening consultation today to find out if the Zoom!® system is right for you.
To begin the Zoom!® tooth whitening procedure, your lips and gums will be covered so that only the teeth are exposed. Next, a member of our team will apply the whitening gel to your teeth and then the area is exposed to a special light. This light activates the whitening gel, helping it to lighten deep stains. Finally, the gel is removed to reveal a brilliantly whiter smile. In addition to the in-office procedure, we send our Germantown patients home with at-home whitening trays at no additional cost so that they can maintain the results for years to come.
At-Home Tooth Whitening Trays in Memphis
We also offer custom-made trays trays so you can conveniently whitening your teeth at home. You’ll wear the tray filled with tooth whitening gel for a few hours during the day or over for about two week or until your teeth have reached the shade you want. First, you’ll visit Germantown Dental Group to have a mold of your teeth made. This mold is used to make a mouthguard to serve as the tray to hold the gel in place, keeping it on the teeth while protecting the gums and lips. At-home tooth whitening offers a convenient way for our patients from throughout the Memphis, Tennessee area to safely whiten their teeth several shades.
Contrary to what you may have heard, even tetracycline staining CAN be lightened dramatically with teeth whitening treatments from Germantown Dental Group.
Questions You May Have About Teeth Whitening
Why do teeth need whitening? Whitening is a purely cosmetic function and doesn’t affect function.
Babies and children have nice white teeth, but as we age, our teeth can become stained or yellowed. Coffee, tea, and red wine are particularly likely to cause stains since they contain chemical compounds called chromogens that leave pigments on your tooth enamel. Enamel also wears down and becomes thinner with age, which allows the yellowish dentin to show through. Tobacco, whether you smoke it or chew it, leaves yellow or brownish stains on your teeth. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and some medications may also stain your teeth.
How do dentists whiten teeth?
Chair-side whitening is much more effective as your dentist can use a stronger concentration of the bleaching agent, though some teeth whitening products are available over-the-counter. At-home products contain hydrogen peroxide gels or strips. Carbamide peroxide is used in chair-side whitening. We’ll use a dental dam to protect your gums from the bleaching agent, which we brush onto all surfaces of your teeth. A special light or laser treatment can increase the bleaching effect. In many cases, you only need a single treatment, but additional treatments are possible. A treatment usually takes about 45 minutes and does not cause discomfort.
What are the potential problems or side effects?
If your enamel is thin enough to allow the whitening product to reach the dentin layer, you may notice that your teeth are sensitive. This sensitivity should be temporary. At-home whiteners can damage the tooth enamel or gums if you use it too frequently. Yellowed teeth usually respond well to bleaching products, but if your teeth have a grayish tone, bleaching will probably be less successful. Deep stains from medications or injuries may not respond to bleaching, and teeth with a brownish discoloration may not bleach successfully. Bleaching can’t be used for crowns or veneers. Only on natural teeth.
Germantown Dental Group are the Teeth Whitening Experts
During your one-on-one consultation, one of our dentists will examine the level of discoloration, discuss your goals, and recommend a whitening option that can best meet your needs.
In-office tooth whitening and at-home tooth whitening, in conjunction with an ongoing dental hygiene regime, can give you a brighter smile for years to come. Contact us today to get started with your new brighter smile from Germantown Dental Group.