Welcome to Falls Cosmetic Dentis Center
Dr. Chandy Samuel DDS, PA
Cosmetic & Restorative Dentist
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Patient Care & Services:
Tooth Whitening
Tooth bleaching, also known as tooth whitening, is a common procedure in general dentistry but most especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Many people consider white teeth to be an attractive feature of a smile. A child's deciduous teeth are generally whiter than the adult teeth that follow. As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker. This darkening is due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foodstuffs and tobacco.
As white teeth are subconsciously associated with youth, they have become desirable. This has been made more apparent with the spread of American culture worldwide, where an especially white smile is coined a "Hollywood smile". The procedure to bleach teeth uses oxidizing agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to lighten the shade of the tooth. The oxidizing agent penetrates the porosities in the rod-like crystal structure of enamel and oxidizes interprismatic stain deposits; over a period of time, the dentine layer, lying underneath the enamel, is also bleached.
Advantages of in-office tooth whitening
Dentist supervised systems have advantages when compared to over-the-counter tooth whitening products. The main advantage of the dentist supervised system is that the dentist can help determine if tooth whitening should be performed and if it will be effective for the patient. Patients with decayed teeth, infected gums, white spots on their teeth, and multiple tooth colored fillings or crowns (caps) on the front teeth may not be good candidates for tooth whitening.
The dentist can also help decide what type of tooth whitening is required (in-office, at-home or both) and the concentration of the whitening gels. The dentist can monitor and treat patients who experience sensitivity to the whitening agents and modify the procedure for those who are having difficulty getting optimal results. Finally, the dentist can help the patient explore other cosmetic dental options such as porcelain or resin veneers, tooth colored fillings, gum lifts and tooth shaping used with or without tooth whitening. With the help of the dentist, the patient's cosmetic dental goals may be more easily attained.
Methods
There are two main methods of bleaching. The first involves applying a high concentration of oxidizing agent for a short period of time, which is the office bleach. This produces quick results but risks chemical burns to the soft tissues. Therefore, most in-office bleaching procedures use a light-cured protective layer that is carefully painted on the gums and papilla (the tips of the gums between the teeth). The bleaching agent is either carbamide peroxide, which breaks down in the mouth to form hydrogen peroxide, or hydrogen peroxide itself. The bleaching gel typically contains up to 35% hydrogen peroxide equivalent.
The alternative method involves using a thin mouthguard or strip to hold a low concentration of oxidizing agent next to the teeth for as long as several hours a day for a period of 5 to 14 days. This is known as take-home or over-the-counter bleaching. This is a slower process but has fewer risks to the soft tissues. The bleaching agent is typically less than 10% hydrogen peroxide equivalent.
A typical course of bleaching can produce dramatic improvements in the cosmetic appearance of most stained teeth; however, some stains do not respond to bleaching. Tetracycline staining may require prolonged bleaching, as it takes longer for the bleach to reach the dentine layer. White-spot decalcifications may also be highlighted and become more noticeable. Bleaching is least effective if your teeth have white spots, decay or infected gums. It is also least effective when the original tooth color is grayish. Bleaching is most effective with yellow discolored teeth.
Recently, efforts have been made to accelerate the bleaching process by the use of light. Studies have shown varying results as to the efficacy of light-activated bleaching.
Side effects of tooth bleaching include: chemical burns (if a high-concentration oxidizing agent contacts unprotected tissues, which may bleach or discolor mucous membranes), sensitive teeth, and over bleaching (known in the profession as "over white teeth"). Rebound, or teeth losing the bleached effect and darkening, is also an issue, with some studies showing the rebound effect over 30 days.
Individuals with sensitive teeth and gums, receding gums and/or defective restorations should consult with their dentist prior to using a tooth whitening system. Anyone allergic to peroxide (the whitening agent) should not use a bleaching product. Also, prolonged exposure to bleaching agents may damage tooth enamel. This is especially the case with home remedy whitening products that contain fruit acids.
Bleaching is not recommended in children under the age of 16. This is because the pulp chamber, or nerve of the tooth, is enlarged until this age. Teeth whitening under this condition could irritate the pulp or cause it to become sensitive. Teeth whitening are also not recommended in pregnant or lactating women.
Higher concentrations of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide available from the dentist may weaken the enamel, but most of these formulas also contain fluoride offsetting this potential side-effect. People who use higher concentrations of whitening agents can also receive prescription fluoride gels from their dentist to help further protect their teeth.
Contact Falls Cosmetic Dental Center
1601 N. Flamingo Rd Ste 3
Pembroke Pines, Fl 33028
We are located in the S.E. corner of Flamingo and Taft
Phone: 954.437.7077
Fax: 954.437.7466
E-mail: info@fallscosmeticdental.com
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Dr. Chandy Samuel DDS, PA - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry to the areas of:
Coconut Creek | Cooper City | Coral Springs | Dania Beach | Davie | Deerfield Beach | Hallandale Beach | Hillsboro Beach | Hollywood | Lauderhill | Lauderdale Lakes | Lauderdale-By-The-Sea | Lazy Lake | Lighthouse Point | Margate | Miramar | North Lauderdale | Oakland Park | Parkland | Pembroke Park | Pembroke Pines | Plantation | Pompano Beach | Sea Ranch Lakes | Southwest Ranches | Sunrise & Sawgrass Mills | Weston | West Park | Wilton Manors
33004 | 33009 | 33019 | 33020 | 33021 | 33022 | 33023 | 33024 | 33025 | 33026 | 33027 | 33028 | 33029 | 33081 | 33060 | 33062 | 33064 | 33066 | 33067 | 33068 | 33069 | 33071 | 33073 | 33076 | 33093 | 33301 | 33302 | 33303 | 33304 | 33305 | 33306 | 33307 | 33308 | 33309 | 33310 | 33312 | 33313 | 33314 | 33315 | 33316 | 33317 | 33318 | 33319 | 33320 | 33073 | 33311 | 33321 | 33322 | 33323 | 33324 | 33325 | 33326 | 33327 | 33328 | 33329 | 33330 | 33331 | 33332 | 33334 | 33335 | 33337 | 33338 | 33339 | 33340 | 33063 | 33065 | 33349 | 33345 | 33346 | 33348 | 33351 | 33355 | 33359 | 33388 | 33394 | 33441 | 33442
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