In the blossoming world of cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening reigns supreme. Universally valued by men and women alike, whitening (or bleaching) treatments are available to satisfy every budget, time frame and temperament.
Whether in the form of one-hour bleaching sessions at your dentist's office, or home-use bleaching kits purchased at your local drugstore, teeth whitening solutions abound. Yet only 15 percent of the population has tried the cosmetic procedure, and misinformation on the subject is rife.
The long and the short of it is that teeth whitening works. Virtually everyone who opts for this cosmetic treatment will see moderate to substantial improvement in the brightness and whiteness of their smile. However, teeth whitening is not a permanent solution and requires maintenance or "touch-ups" for a prolonged effect.
Bleaching vs. Whitening
According to the FDA, the term "bleaching" is permitted to be used only when the teeth can be whitened beyond their natural color. This applies strictly to products that contain bleach - typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
The term "whitening," on the other hand, refers to restoring a tooth's surface color by removing dirt and debris. So any product that cleans (like a toothpaste) is considered a whitener. Of course, the term whitening sounds better than bleaching, so it is more frequently used - even when describing products that contain bleach.
Why Teeth Whitening? Examining Enamel
Most of us start out with sparkling white teeth, thanks to their porcelain-like enamel surface. Composed of microscopic crystalline rods, tooth enamel is designed to protect the teeth from the effects of chewing, gnashing, trauma and acid attacks caused by sugar. But over the years enamel is worn down, becoming more transparent and permitting the yellow color of dentin - the tooth's core material - to show through.
During routine chewing, dentin remains intact while millions of micro-cracks occur in the enamel. It is these cracks, as well as the spaces between the crystalline enamel rods, that gradually fill up with stains and debris. As a result, the teeth eventually develop a dull, lackluster appearance.
Teeth whitening removes the stains and debris, leaving the enamel cracks open and exposed. Some of the cracks are quickly re-mineralized by saliva, while others are filled up again with organic debris.
Tooth Discoloration: The Two Types of Tooth Stains
There are two categories of staining as it relates to the teeth: extrinsic staining and intrinsic staining.
Extrinsic stains are those that appear on the surface of the teeth as a result of exposure to dark-colored beverages, foods and tobacco, and routine wear and tear. Superficial extrinsic stains are minor and can be removed with brushing and prophylactic dental cleaning. Stubborn extrinsic stains can be removed with more involved efforts, like teeth bleaching. Persistent extrinsic stains can penetrate into the dentin and become ingrained if they are not dealt with early.
Intrinsic stains are those that form on the interior of teeth. Intrinsic stains result from trauma, aging, exposure to minerals (like tetracycline) during tooth formation and/or excessive ingestion of fluoride. In the past, it was thought that intrinsic stains were too resistant to be corrected by bleaching. Today, cosmetic dentistry experts believe that even deep-set intrinsic stains can be removed with supervised take-home teeth whitening that is maintained over a matter of months or even a year.
What Causes Tooth Staining?
Age: There is a direct correlation between tooth color and age. Over the years, teeth darken as a result of wear and tear and stain accumulation. Teenagers will likely experience immediate, dramatic results from whitening. In the twenties, as the teeth begin to show a yellow cast, teeth-whitening may require a little more effort. By the forties, the yellow gives way to brown and more maintenance may be called for. By the fifties, the teeth have absorbed a host of stubborn stains which can prove difficult (but not impossible) to remove.
Starting color: We are all equipped with an inborn tooth color that ranges from yellow-brownish to greenish-grey, and intensifies over time. Yellow-brown is generally more responsive to bleaching than green-grey.
Translucency and thinness: These are also genetic traits that become more pronounced with age. While all teeth show some translucency, those that are opaque and thick have an advantage: they appear lighter in color, show more sparkle and are responsive to bleaching. Teeth that are thinner and more transparent - most notably the front teeth - have less of the pigment that is necessary for bleaching. According to cosmetic dentists, transparency is the only condition that cannot be corrected by any form of teeth whitening.
Eating habits: The habitual consumption of red wine, coffee, tea, cola, carrots, oranges and other deeply-colored beverages and foods causes considerable staining over the years. In addition, acidic foods such as citrus fruits and vinegar contribute to enamel erosion. As a result, the surface becomes more transparent and more of the yellow-colored dentin shows through.
Smoking habits: Nicotine leaves brownish deposits which slowly soak into the tooth structure and cause intrinsic discoloration.
Drugs / chemicals: Tetracycline usage during tooth formation produces dark grey or brown ribbon stains which are very difficult to remove. Excessive consumption of fluoride causes fluorosis and associated areas of white mottling.
Grinding: Most frequently caused by stress, teeth grinding (gnashing, bruxing, etc.) can add to micro-cracking in the teeth and can cause the biting edges to darken.
Trauma: Falls and other injuries can produce sizable cracks in the teeth, which collect large amounts of stains and debris.
Here are a few of the things we do TO HELP REDUCE YOUR ANXIETY:
Anxiolysis - We give you a pill to take to reduce your anxiety. It is a very safe and effective way to help make your appointment stress-free. It can be used for any dental appointment, even cleanings. (See below for more details.)
Exceptional Team - Dr. Ali chose his staff to make sure that they are compassionate, patient and caring so it is in their nature to help patients. They must be gentle so they can perform painless dentistry. They have to be competent, experienced, and knowledgeable because patients should have the comfort of knowing that things will be done right. Dr. Ali also chose staff members who are not only professional but friendly and personable. Our patients are our family. When you visit our office, you will see that all of our team members have all of these wonderful qualities and more.
State-of-the-Art Technology & Techniques - We are among the very few dental practices to have the very best technology available in dentistry today ranging from digital x-rays, numerous computerized equipment, to sterilization systems. We also keep up with the latest techniques and materials to help maximize your comfort.
Non-Rush, Low Stress Atmosphere - You will get full personal attention and pampering. We allocate sufficient time for each of our patients so there will be no hectic rushing through your procedure to get to the next patient.
Beautiful Soothing Facility with Amenities to Help You Relax - You will have a personal TV monitor, and sound system so you can watch one of the hundreds of Cable channels, watch a movie from our DVD collection or listen to the music from our CDs. If you prefer to bring your own DVD movies, music CDs, or MP3, we can also play it for you.
Q: What is anxiolysis?
A: You are given a pill to help minimally sedate you during dental treatments. You breathe, swallow, and are in control, however, your fears and anxieties are significantly reduced. You feel a strong sense of relaxation, calm, and well-being.
Q: Who can benefit from sedation?
A: If you have such an intense fear or anxiety associated with dental visits that you cannot bring yourself to see the dentist to seek necessary care; if you can go to see the dentist, but each visit is very stressful for you and counseling or reasoning does not help; if your teeth are hard to get numb; or if you would like to get a large amount of dental work done in as few appointments as possible; anxiolysis can help you.
Q: Is it safe?
A: We use a small amount of very safe medication, which has been used by more than a million people a day as anti-anxiety or sleeping pills. As with any medication or medical procedures, there are risks for patients with certain medical procedures. We will help you determine whether or not you are a good candidate.
Q: For what types of appointments can I have anxiolysis?
A: The type of anxiolysis we provide can be used for any dental appointment such as, fillings, crowns, root canal treatments, cosmetic work, whitening, or even cleanings.
Q: My phobia is so severe, will anxiolysis work for me?
A: For paralyzing phobias, anxiolysis is very helpful but you also need to be in gentle hands. A soothing environment coupled with a team committed to providing TLC are crucial. We have successfully helped even patients with severe debilitating fears and anxieties.