Tooth Whitening – San Diego, California
Tooth whitening can brighten up your entire face, and it is a procedure that is constantly in demand. Dr. Wong takes the time to make sure your results look natural while ensuring your comfort and safety throughout your tooth whitening treatment. The results Dr. Wong offers are more dramatic and lasting than other methods of tooth whitening (OTC tooth whitening gel, tooth whitening strips, tooth whitening toothpaste, tooth whitening mouth-wash,..etc).
As time goes by, our teeth lose their natural brightness and appear aged. Like fine china, teeth become dull and stained from a variety of factors including tobacco, drinking coffee, dark soft drinks, red wine or tea. This is where tooth whitening comes in. Throughout history, people have sought new methods of tooth whitening. Ancient Egyptians used a dental cream made from oxen hooves mixed with burned egg shells, pumice and water for their tooth whitening needs. Upper-class Romans added expensive imported urine to their tooth whitening mix (unaware that it was the ammonia molecules that were brightening their teeth). In the 14th Century, tooth whitening was the most popular dental request, after tooth extraction. The patient’s teeth would be filed with a coarse metal instrument, then washed with aquafortis, a solution of highly corrosive nitric acid that whitened but permanently damaged them.
Regardless of how well you care for your teeth, it is inevitable that, over time, some yellowing or discoloration will occur. This gradual change can be caused by aging, substances that stain your teeth (such as coffee and tobacco), excessive fluoride, or the deterioration of a tooth’s nerve. Modern technology offers us tooth whitening without harmful side effects. We offer tooth whitening treatments in our San Diego office and tooth whitening treatments for you to use at home. While neither of these methods stops future discoloration, these tooth whitening treatments bring about whiter teeth and help create a brighter smile.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
The most popular method of tooth whitening is the at-home, dentist-supervised option. During your visit to the dentist for tooth whitening, he or she takes a mold of your teeth and creates a comfortable, customized mouth tray. The mouth tray holds a mild solution whose main ingredient is carbamide peroxide, a substance that reacts with water to release a non-toxic bleaching element (hydrogen peroxide). The mouth tray is placed inside the mouth and sits only against the teeth, thereby avoiding contact with the gums. Patients can choose either to wear the mouth tray throughout the night or for stretches that last from two to four hours. When the mouth tray is worn throughout the night, the tooth whitening treatment lasts one to two weeks. Patients with more sensitive teeth may opt for the latter approach, which lasts three to five weeks.
Laser Tooth Whitening
The alternative method for tooth whitening is a laser procedure, performed at the dentist’s office. This tooth whitening treatment involves coating the teeth with a paste-like form of carbamide peroxide. When the laser is applied to this paste, the tooth’s enamel takes on a whiter appearance. This tooth whitening technique lasts approximately one hour in the dentist’s chair and involves no further at-home tooth whitening treatment. While more convenient than take-home tooth whitening treatments, it is generally more expensive.
Teeth Whitening Concerns
When using the at-home tooth whitening treatment, patients’ teeth may feel a heightened, but temporary, sensitivity. The gums may also feel more sensitive or burn slightly. Not all people experience the quality of whiteness they had hoped for on their first tooth whitening treatment, and they may require a “touch-up” treatment. Tooth whitening treatments begin to fade in one to four years. It should be noted that tooth whitening treatments have no effect on the artificial materials used for bonds, porcelain veneers, or capped teeth.
If you are interested in learning more about teeth bleaching or other cosmetic dentistry procedures, please contact cosmetic dentist Dr. Ernest Wong – who practices in San Diego.