Teeth Whitening
Do you love drinking coffee, tea, or wine? As a result have your teeth become stained or less white than they used to be? Are you looking for a simple way to brighten your smile? Then teeth whitening services at Danforth Dental Solutions may be a great cosmetic dental option for you! Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that removes stains from your teeth and restores their beautiful, white color. In only a single dental appointment, professional teeth whitening can brighten your smile up to 10 shades lighter!
Did You Know?
Your teeth stain as a natural part of aging. Because of this, no matter how great your oral hygiene habits are, your teeth will begin to look discolored as you get older.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I a candidate for professional teeth whitening at Danforth Dental Solutions?
You may be a candidate for professional teeth whitening at Danforth Dental Solutions if you have stained or discolored teeth that you wish to brighten. Additionally, ideal candidates for teeth whitening do not have any cavities, gum disease, and have good dental health. You may also be a candidate for teeth whitening if you are having a permanent restoration, such as a dental crown or veneers, placed and want to whiten the rest of your smile to match your restoration. To find out if professional teeth whitening is the right service for you, schedule a consultation with Dr. Claudia Wood of Danforth Dental Solutions today!
Will professional teeth whitening remove all the stains from my teeth?
There are two types of stains that cause your teeth to become discolored: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are generally caused by external factors such as your oral health routine and highly pigmented foods or beverages. Extrinsic stains refer to any stains on the enamel, or outermost layer. Intrinsic stains are stains that appear on the dentin layer just under the enamel. Intrinsic stains are the result of aging, certain medications, and excessive fluoride.
Professional teeth whitening services are designed to remove stains from both the enamel and dentin layer. Generally, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are used to trigger an oxidation reaction within the layers of your teeth, essentially breaking the bonds responsible for holding discolored molecules together. By breaking these bonds, the molecules disappear and your teeth are returned to their natural, white color. However, your individual results will depend on how well your teeth respond to treatment and how bad your stains are. In some cases, teeth whitening procedures may have to be repeated to get the desired results.
What happens when I visit Danforth Dental Solutions for professional teeth whitening?
Before beginning your teeth whitening procedure, Dr. Wood will first give you a professional teeth cleaning to remove any debris from your teeth. Not only is this important to remove bacteria from your mouth, but also to create a smooth surface for the whitening agents to work on. Once your cleaning is completed, your whitening goals will be discussed and a shade guide may be used to help you select your desired shade.
As a precautionary measure, Dr. Wood will cover your gums before applying the whitening agent to your teeth. Then, the whitening agents will be applied to your teeth and left for about an hour. The whitening agent may be placed in some kind of tray or it may simply be brushed onto the surface of your teeth. After an hour, the remaining whitening agents will be suctioned off, your mouth will be rinsed, and your teeth will be polished.
What happens after professional teeth whitening?
After your teeth whitening appointment, you will need to avoid consuming highly pigmented substances for the first 24 hours to avoid staining your teeth. This is because the whitening agents will continue to work for the first 24 hours, so additional stains will limit the stains they can remove. After your professional teeth whitening appointment, you may also notice some minor tooth sensitivity. This is normal and should get better within a few days.
What will happen to my fillings and/or dental crowns when I have my teeth whitened?
Nothing will happen to your fillings and/or dental crowns when you have your teeth whitened. This means that they will remain exactly as they are and they will not lighten with the rest of your natural teeth. If your restoration is not immediately visible, this probably won’t cause any problems. However, if your restoration is visible, the color difference may be noticeable. To avoid this, consider having your teeth whitened before you have your final restoration placed or make plans to replace your restoration after your teeth have been whitened.
How long does teeth whitening last?
Unfortunately teeth whitening does not last forever and your teeth will eventually stain again. Most teeth whitening treatments last for about six months to a year, depending on how well you avoid staining your teeth. However depending on other factors, like ageing or medications, your teeth may become stained sooner rather than later. After you have your teeth whitened, talk with Dr. Wood on how to make your results last as long as possible. Some general guidelines to follow include brushing your teeth with a whitening toothpaste, avoid smoking, and limit pigmented beverages like tea, wine, and coffee. You will also want to maintain good oral habits such as brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time, flossing once a day, and visiting Danforth Dental Solutions twice a year for your professional teeth cleaning.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
The cost of your professional teeth whitening cost will depend upon your individual case and whitening goals. However, a general number for most in-office whitening treatments is about $650. To help cover the cost of professional teeth whitening, you may be able to get financing options.
For dedicated and caring dental care, schedule a consultation with Dr. Claudia Wood of Danforth Dental Solutions. Danforth Dental Solutions is proud to serve Toronto and the surrounding areas.
