August 1, 2022
What Is Teeth Whitening?
It is a procedure for improving teeth’ color by upping their whiteness and brightness. Teeth whitening in Danbury, CT, is perhaps the most common cosmetic procedure in dentistry. Many factors can lead to teeth staining, meriting teeth whitening treatments. Some of the reasons you may want to whiten your teeth are:
- Poor oral hygiene – leaving stubborn residues of plaque and tartar on teeth surfaces
- Enamel thinning – exposing more dental dentin that is typically duller than enamel
- Food stains – particularly if you are fond of darkly pigmented foods like red wine, coffee, tomatoes, and berries
- Medication and underlying health problems
What Is the Standard Procedure for Whitening Teeth?
When you approach a dentist in Danbury, CT, about teeth whitening, the go-to treatment protocol entails enamel bleaching. The procedure is popularly known as professional teeth whitening. It involves using special whitening agents to bleach teeth enamels. The dentist will apply a coat of the whitening products to your teeth’ and then use a laser to activate the bleaching process. After a few seconds, (s)he will rinse off the initial application and then apply a fresh one. The goal will be to monitor the degree of whitening, achieving your desired outcome.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Even though professional teeth whitening has incredible success rates, it does not offer permanent results. Your teeth will remain white for about 6 – 12 months before you need retreatment. The results last longer if you intentionally care for your teeth to maintain their whiteness and brightness.
How Can You Whiten Your Teeth Permanently?
If you want a permanent teeth whitening solution, visit us at Danbury Smiles – George Landress, DDS, MAGD, to explore different treatment options. Other than enamel bleaching, we can brighten and whiten your smile through the following cosmetic approaches:
- Composite bonding is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that entails coating teeth with a tooth-colored putty-like resin. A dentist will roughen your teeth’ surfaces before applying putty-like resin. Once the resin is on your teeth, harden it with a laser to bond. Teeth whitening with composite bonding lasts longer than enamel bleaching, serving you for about 5 – 10 years.
- Dental veneers are alternatives to composite bonding. Instead of composite resin, dental veneers feature tooth-colored porcelain. Porcelain is a sturdier and more natural-looking material than composite. The dentist will prepare your teeth by trimming the enamels for your teeth whitening procedure. The goal is to remove a sizeable portion of your tooth to create room for the dental veneer. Afterward, the dentist will use the impressions of your teeth to create a veneer. Installation entails bonding the veneer to your tooth using dental cement and a laser to cure it. Teeth whitening with dental veneers lasts longer than other alternatives, usually 10 – 15 years.
Which is the Best approach for Whitening Teeth?
When you want to transform your smile by whitening your teeth, you must take the time to consider all your available options. All the treatment protocols for whitening teeth effectively upping your teeth’ brightness and whiteness. Some of the concerns you should address before making your decision are:
- Longevity of the treatment – there is no permanent solution to teeth whitening that can last you all your life. Instead, you can choose the approach that gives you many years of service before needing retreatment or replacement.
- Duration of the procedure – if you are looking for a quick fix to your dental discoloration, you will not appreciate the long protocol necessary for getting dental veneers. Instead, consider enamel bleaching or composite bonding.
- Cost – the three approaches that can whiten your teeth have different prices. Talk to your dentist about finding an affordable teeth whitening treatment, whether or not you have dental insurance.
- Versatility is the plus side of choosing dental veneers and composite bonding over enamel bleaching. Ideally, these two approaches can correct flaws in your smile, other than your teeth’ color. Getting veneer teeth or composites can also improve your smile in shape and size.
