General dentistry involves preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental treatments like teeth whitening. Teeth are constantly bombarded by substances that cause stains and discoloration, affecting the way that they look.
The most common type of teeth whitening treatment performed by dentists involves using bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide to remove stains from the outer surfaces and deep within teeth. The products used for in-office whitening treatments are significantly more potent than anything that you can purchase over the counter, leading to significantly faster results. The American Academy for Cosmetic Dentistry states that a single in-office whitening session can improve the color of teeth by up to eight shades.
Fortunately, general dentistry treatments like teeth whitening can be used to restore or improve the color of the teeth. These treatments are effective on a wide range of stains, like those caused by:
However, teeth whitening treatments do have limitations. They are ineffective on stains caused by taking tetracycline antibiotics, discoloration due to fluorosis, or stains caused by tooth decay. But dentists have a way around these issues by using restorations, like composite bonding.
Let us take a closer look at popular treatments that a dentist might recommend to address stains and discoloration on a patient’s teeth.
These treatments are performed using prescription-grade whitening products that are not sold publicly. The whitening product is usually administered with a customized mouth tray that the patient bites down on for up to 90 minutes.
The patient’s teeth should be whiter after their treatments, but those with severely stained or discolored teeth might need follow-up treatments to reach their desired shade of white. In-office teeth whitening treatments are typically recommended for patients with no significant oral problems. Whitening decayed or otherwise damaged teeth can damage their structures.
The most significant side effect associated with teeth whitening treatments is increased teeth sensitivity that lasts for a few days. Dentists sometimes perform fluoride treatments after whitening teeth to help reduce this.
Dentists provide patients with at-home whitening kits that they can use on their own. These kits come with more potent and safer bleaching agents than products sold over the counter. They are less effective than in-office whitening treatments, but they can get teeth to the same result in about a month. At-home kits provide patients with an effective way to maintain the results of their in-office whitening treatments.
Dental bonding can be used to hide stains that are not responsive to bleaching agents. The composite can be color-matched with the patient’s teeth, then applied over them to cover up stains and discoloration. The dentist hardens the resin with a curing light to complete the process.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Boca Raton, FL
Our dentist can whiten your smile regardless of the cause of the discoloration of your teeth. The treatments are typically completed during a single visit to our clinic, so you can walk out with your smile noticeably whiter. Call or visit our Boca Raton clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.
Request an appointment or call Stellar Smiles at 561-225-2070 for an appointment in our Boca Raton office.
There are many ways that a general dentist can promote gum health. Your gums play an important role in supporting your teeth and providing a barrier against harmful bacteria, so it is critical that they remain healthy and strong. Keeping your gums healthy can also help prevent tooth loss and decrease heart attack risk. The…
During a visit to the general dentistry office, the dental professional will typically emphasize the importance of flossing. If you tend to forget to floss every day or have trouble with the process, you are not alone. The time and effort required to thread the floss between each tooth and remove plaque and food particles…
Regular visits to the general dentistry office are essential for both adults and children alike. As a parent, you may have a lot of questions regarding dental appointments for your child. Knowing when to take your child to their first general dentistry appointment and what to expect from that appointment can help you prepare adequately.If…
For dental emergencies, people can go to an emergency dentist or an emergency room. However, several things should be considered before deciding where to seek medical help. Just like any other medical emergency, dental emergencies also require different levels of care. This depends on their severity. The ideal place to go for treatment when you…
The term All-on-4® refers to a more convenient alternative than conventional dentures. It involves installing dental implants into the patient’s jaw to serve as the base for a special type of dentures that are fixed in place.Traditional dentures are the most affordable way to replace missing teeth, but they have issues like poor stability. This…
