Beverly Hills Teeth Whitening
What is the benefit of getting tooth whitening in Beverly Hills?
Beverly Hills teeth whitening patients tend to have a variety of motivations behind their desire for whiter teeth, as some use it for career advancement and others simply for their own self-image. There also can be a variety of causes of stained teeth, common ones being cigarette smoking and red wine and coffee drinking. Stains can also develop below the surface of the teeth as a result of certain antibiotics or even tiny cracks in the teeth. But no matter what causes the stains or motivates the patient to remove them, the goal is universal: healthier, brighter teeth worth smiling about!
What are my options for Beverly Hills Tooth Whitening?
Gaining in popularity over the last several years are the over-the-counter options, like whitening toothpastes, adhesive strips, and brush-on fluids or gels. Another option, now also a household name, and often considered the more reliable Beverly Hills tooth whitening method, is laser teeth whitening.
For those patients who insist upon an at-home whitening method, but who aren't quite comfortable with the over-the-counter route, there are systems that your dentist can prepare for you in the office for you to wear while relaxing at home. To prepare such a system, which is sometimes referred to as nightguard vital bleaching, the dentist will take a mold of your mouth and create a custom made tray, or nightguard. You'll be provided a bleaching solution to place in the tray and may wear the tray for an hour at a time, or while you sleep. The duration of wear varies for each patient. Dr. Rosenblatt can talk to you about this option, how it compares to other treatments, and what your specific application instructions would be for this system given your dental history and needs.
Some dentists offer the option to receive partial bleaching in the office, after which they send patients home with the tools to complete the whitening on their own time. But plenty of patients opt to turn completely to the expertise of the dentist and have complete treatment performed in the office. For the in-office whitening, a protective barrier is placed at the gumline, and a hydrogen-based bleaching solution is applied to the surface of the teeth. Laser light, or another intense light source, is then directed at the teeth. This process usually takes just about 1 hour, and patients leave with noticeably whiter teeth.
Does tooth whitening really work?
Yep! Bleaching is most successful with superficial stains, diminishing most caused by age, tobacco, coffee, tea, or wine. In fact, clinical studies show that 96 percent of patients who pursue bleaching to correct such stains go on to enjoy much improved teeth. Many people have stains caused by previous use of certain medications, like tetracycline. Unfortunately, these stains are generally considered untreatable by bleaching systems. Additionally, it must be noted that bleaching is only effective on true enamel, and can't be relied upon to brighten dental restorations like veneers or crowns.
Should I be aware of tooth whitening side effects?
Some Beverly Hills teeth whitening patients report that there is slight temporary discomfort associated with the treatment. An increased sensitivity to hot and cold, usually a reaction to the hydrogen bleaching mixture used during treatment, is also sometimes experience, but can vary based on the concentration of hydrogen used. Finally, patients using at-home systems sometimes report gum irritation, often caused by the tray that is worn over the teeth.
Patients also are encouraged to use over-the-counter treatments with caution, as excessive use can take a toll on tooth enamel, especially those treatments that contain acid. Because of this, it is a common belief that teeth whitening is a procedure best performed by or under the supervision of a dentist or trained dental hygienist.
Overall, there are no health risks posed by any of the major teeth whitening treatments available today.
How much brighter will my teeth be after a whitening treatment?
This can be a difficult question to answer as specifically as some people would like, because the results are relative. There is no standard measurement tool by which dentists record tooth color, and the layout and shape of your teeth can affect the final results.
It's important to note that not every tooth in your mouth is the same hue. It's common for our front teeth to be the whitest, while molars are typically less so, and the eye teeth generally are the darkest. The most realistic goal that any bleaching patient can have is to see their teeth return as closely as possible to their original shade. Of course, we want the look to remain natural as well. Additionally, patients should keep in mind that after most bleaching treatments, they'll leave their dentist's office with a noticeably whiter smile that will add an attractive confidence to their face.
After pursuing Beverly Hills teeth whitening, is there any specific maintenance routine to follow?
As mentioned previously, bleachign results can be quite affected by cigarettes, dark soda, red wine, coffee, and other food or drink that stain the teeth. It's best to try to cut down on such habits, pursuing them only in moderation. It sounds a little strange, but you might also benefit from drinking dark liquids with a straw!
Some quick tips for maintaining your sparkling smile:
- Get that toothbrush out twice a day for a good cleaning, and use a fluoride toothpaste
- Monitor your sugary food and drink intake, try to cutback if necessary
- Make a visit to your dentist at least once a year