As you age, your teeth are exposed to foods and drinks that stain them. Though your teeth may be perfectly healthy, they can appear damaged and make you look older. Fortunately, if you have deep stains or want to achieve a brighter smile quickly, Ark-La-Tex Pediatric Dentistry in Texarkana and New Boston has teeth-whitening options that can help you acquire a beautiful, youthful-looking, bright smile.
Types of Tooth Stains
Tooth stains fall into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are the yellow and brown stains that occur on the surface of your teeth. Intrinsic stains occur inside your teeth, making them appear gray or blue. Some surface stains can be removed with whitening toothpastes and over-the-counter teeth-whitening kits. However, these approaches are limited and can be painful or can cause tooth and gum sensitivities. Professional-grade products are needed to remove deeper extrinsic and intrinsic stains and to treat individuals with sensitive teeth and gums.
Professional Teeth-Whitening Options
There are several approaches to teeth bleaching that Texarkana and New Boston dentist Dr. Brian Steele can use to help you whiten your smile by eight to 14 shades in a short amount of time.
- In-office teeth bleaching: During your office visit, Dr. Steele will apply to your teeth the teeth-bleaching agent, typically in the form of a gel, then will use a whitening lamp to accelerate the bleaching process. Standard visits last 90 minutes.
- At-home teeth bleaching: Dr. Steele will provide you with a teeth-bleaching gel and a mouthguard to put it in that has been customized to your bite. He will then assign a teeth-bleaching regimen for you to follow. Results typically take a little longer than the in-office option; however, the process takes place within the comfort and convenience of your own home. It typically takes 10 to 14 days to achieve the desired results with this method.
Our Whitening Systems
We use the following teeth-bleaching systems to help you achieve a bright white smile:
KöR® Deep Bleaching:
This treatment will give you your brightest smile. Using custom-fit, specially fabricated whitening trays that seal in the bleaching agent, Dr. Steele can complete your treatment in just two visits. The trays are designed to protect your gum area so that there is no irritation.
ZOOM! Whitening:
This is a one-visit whitening procedure that takes less than an hour and provides results that are equal to that of the 10- to 14-day systems. Dr. Steele applies the ZOOM! teeth-bleaching gel to your teeth and uses the ZOOM! light to help the gel penetrate deep stains. The gel stays on your teeth for approximately 15 minutes.
BriteSmile®:
This system is known for being gentle on sensitive teeth and gums. It’s perfect for patients who have a hard time tolerating stronger treatments. It is a one- hour, laser-based whitening procedure, plus take-home teeth-whitening products. It can brighten teeth up to 14 shades with lasting results. During the procedure, Dr. Steele uses a special peroxide gel that is pH-balanced, compatible with tooth enamel, and formulated to respond to the blue wavelength of a special activation lamp. The treatments are completed in three separate 20-minute visits, with the goal of getting your teeth as white as possible.
