The team at South Austin Dental is ready and waiting to help with your teeth whitening needs. Teeth whitening is a popular procedure that reverses the yellowing effect of food, smoking, and caffeine. It is popular because it significantly improves the appearance of the teeth by removing stains and discoloration. There are many options for teeth whitening, but they can generally be divided into two categories: restoration and bleaching. Visit us and we can recommend which method is best for you.

What Causes Discoloration?

Enamel is the outer layer of the teeth, and it is the main factor for tooth color. It combines the color of the dentin underneath with the reflection of the light.

The enamel is also prone to yellowing and staining. The stains are picked up by enamel pores, mostly due to tobacco use and drinking of dark liquids such as red wine, coffee, and cola. Furthermore, bad teeth hygiene also results in stains, as well as aging since the enamel thins out with age. Less common stains are intrinsic stains, which develop under teeth.

How to prepare?

There are several prep steps for teeth whitening. First and foremost, we will treat the cavities before proceeding to whiten. This because the whitening solution could go through the damaged areas and reach the inner part of the tooth. Receding gums shouldn’t be treated with whitening since they will not become whiter, and the process might make them more sensitive.

While whitening can be done at home, we recommend you contact us and get an appointment to achieve the best results. Before the procedure, the teeth will be photographed to help us monitor the treatment as we progress. It is also necessary to examine the teeth to discover what caused the staining and yellowing in the first place.

After the initial examination, the dental hygienist will clean your teeth thoroughly to remove bacteria, food or any other build up responsible for staining.

The Procedure

There are several procedures of teeth whitening, but it generally comes down to bleaching. Our dentist applies a gel containing hydrogen peroxide which is then activated by a laser or light, accelerating the process and improving the results. This procedure usually lasts for up to 90 minutes and, depending on your teeth; you will need to have 1 to 5 appointments. The right number of visits for your case will depend on the severity of your stains as well as your goals.

If you have staining inside the tooth, you will be recommended nonvital whitening. This procedure whitens the teeth from the inside. The whitening solution is put inside your teeth and covered with a temporary filling. It stays inside the tooth for a few days, and the treatment can be repeated if you’re not satisfied with the results.

If you want to know more about teeth whitening, then contact South Austin Dental at (512) 441-8922 straight away. We are ready and waiting to give you that beautiful, bright smile that you have always wanted.