Advanced Dental Solutions of Pittsburgh

Teeth whitening for a whiter smile

Professional teeth whitening and over the counter products Teeth whitening is a great way to brighten up your smile and restore a youthful appearance. Over time coffee , tea, tobacco, wine, foods, and medicines (tetracycline) can cause stains that can cause our youthful white smile to fade to a darker yellow and less appealing smile.

How does teeth whitening work?

Your tooth is made up of millions of tiny tubules (picture a honey comb) that stains can accumulate in. The overall result is a darker un attractive smile. Tooth whitening agents penetrate these tubules to various degrees and oxidize these stains, thus making them whiter. This process is similar to the white bubbles formed in a glass of beer.

As the tooth whitening agent penetrates deeper into the tooth the accumulative affect of this oxidation is a whiter more youthful smile for you.

What material is used in whitening procedures?

Typically tooth whitening involves some varying concentration of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide.

At home and professional teeth whitening options are listed below

Over-the –counter whitening - This can include such products as Crest White Strips. These products can slightly improve brightness of teeth for younger patients are adults who only have slight staining. The concentration of whitening agent is often too low for more severe stains.

Custom whitening trays- custom trays are fabricated from dental impressions taken at your dentist’s office. Customized trays are then made from the models that allow for even distribution of gel and allow for less waste due to precise fit. The great fit decreases the chances of gel burning your cheeks, lips, or gums. Various concentrations can be selected to fit the patient’s tooth whitening goals and sensitivity. The results can be very good and take 1-4 weeks depending of the severity of tooth stain.

In office teeth whitening under a light - Most people are familiar with ZOOM! and Sapphire. These techniques fall under this category. At your dentist’s office a protective barrier is placed over your gums and lips and a tooth whitening agent is applied to the teeth and is activated by a Whitening light. Typically the process takes 1-2 hours. The results can be good and achieved in a very short time. This whitening technique alone may not provide long lasting results.

In office and take home whitening combination- This whitening combination is by far the greatest technique for long lasting tooth whitening. While the other techniques are effective, done alone, a whitening plateau is often reached. This combination method can break these plateaus and achieve an overall whiter smile. The process typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on the tooth whitening goals, severity of the stains, and amount of tooth sensitivity a patient has.

Who shouldn’t whiten teeth?

Pregnant and lactating women should avoid tooth whitening. Children under 16 yrs of age should also take caution in whitening due to the large size of the dental pulp, which may be traumatized. Patients with old front tooth fillings or crowns may need to have them replaced as old restorations do not change color. Patients with large amounts of root recession may not be candidates as root structure does not change color and can be sensitive.

Does tooth whitening have any side effects?

The most common side effect is cold sensitivity. This is usually short lived and passes after 1-3 days. Ibuprofen can go a long way to ensuring comfort during the tooth whitening process. Poor fitting trays or some non custom over the counter methods may allow the material to leak onto gums and lips causing mild to moderate burns. Damage to the enamel is very rare if the proper whitening protocol is followed.

If a patient has older filings or crowns they DO NOT whiten. It is imperative that patients are aware that with the new teeth whitening results these older restorations may comparatively be un aesthetic and require replacement.

The tooth whitening options available allow many patients to achieve a whiter more youthful smile. A consult with the dentist can help a patient be aware of what the best technique for that patient may be. Dr. Rairigh is happy to provide free whitening consultations.

Do you have more questions about teeth whitening?

Contact us today by calling 412-854-2310 and find out more about services provided by Dr. Dan Rairigh's offices in the Pittsburgh area.

Or let us know your schedule and simply request a consultation.

We offer 0% financing for teeth whitening at our Pittsburgh offices

Ask about our financing options and payment options for dentures when requesting an appointment for initial consultation.