One of the most requested cosmetic dental procedures at Crown Dental Studio is a tooth whitening treatment. Brightening a smile can boost your confidence and make a real difference to your appearance.
Why are your teeth discoloured?
Tooth discolouration falls into three different categories: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related.
1. Extrinsic With extrinsic tooth discoloration, it’s likely that the only the tooth enamel, or the surface of the tooth is discoloured.
The most common causes of extrinsic stains include:
Food: chocolate, tomato sauces, curry, some fruits
Beverages: coffee, tea and red wine
Tobacco: smoking and chewing
2. Intrinsic This type of stain is located within the tooth, which makes it more resistant to over-the-counter whitening products. The teeth often appear a greyish colour.
Examples of intrinsic stains causes include:
Certain medications
Trauma or injury to a tooth
Tooth decay
Too much fluoride
Genetics
3. Age-related Some people are born with yellowish teeth while other people’s teeth yellow as they get older. When you age, the enamel on your teeth begins to wear away, which often results in a yellow appearance. Age-related discolouration may also be caused by both extrinsic and intrinsic factors.
Available Treatments
Crown Dental Studio offers a complimentary tooth whitening consultation to evaluate your teeth and assess your expectations. A thorough dental examination is the best way to determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for a tooth whitening procedure, or if there’s a reason for your teeth’s discolouration that needs to be addressed. Based on these findings customised recommendations are made based on affordability and the time that you have available or in which you require results.
Crown Dental Studio has multiple tooth whitening offerings, which range from a basic entry level to various interim levels and to a top of range package.
The top of range treatment includes an in-dentist chair session, which may combine a range of products as well as an ongoing maintenance programme. “We have much confidence in our tooth whitening system and offer a lifetime guarantee provided that you maintain ongoing oral health and return for six monthly teeth cleaning sessions, which includes complimentary touch ups,” explains Dr Amod.
Usually, the active agent in whitening products is either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The active ingredients are broken down and as oxygen gets onto the enamel on your teeth, stains are removed, leaving you with a brighter smile. Some treatments may involve using a light or laser to activate the whitening product.
In addition, there are many over-the-counter home whitening kits available. These can include strips, gels, toothpastes and whitening trays.
While in-office teeth whitening procedures are much quicker and more effective, many clients appreciate at-home whitening treatments for their ease of use and the lower costs involved. However, in-practice procedures can remove deeper stains, whereas over-the-counter options are only able to remove surface stains.
As a rule, no matter which method of whitening you decide to use, it’s always a good idea to get your dentist’s advice on your specific requirements and circumstances before going ahead. This will ensure that you choose the safest, most effective option that will work effectively on your teeth.
Some teeth sensitivity during the whitening procedure is a common problem, however this sensitivity is usually mild and does not last long. “We don’t let our patients leave the rooms until the sensitivity has subsided,” says Dr Amod.
You can also reduce any remining teeth sensitivity following a whitening treatment by using a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. It is also recommended to avoid very hot or cold foods for the first few days after you have received treatment.
If managed properly, whitening your teeth is a very successful and easy way of eliminating most of the stains from your teeth and does not, as often feared, cause any damage to the tooth enamel. In addition, if a whitening procedure is not able to obtain the desired effect, there are several options available for brightening your teeth. Some methods include porcelain veneers, composite bonding and dental implants.
Crown Dental Studio is one of the few truly 24-hour dental practices in Durban as this is not limited to emergency dentistry treatment.
T: +27 (0)81 207 8621