Teeth Whitening and Porcelain Veneers
Calgary, Alberta
Discolored Teeth
Throughout the years, your teeth come in contact with a number of staining agents. Couple that with the natural aging process and stress lines that develop in the enamel and your teeth will be noticeably dingier than when you were young. Over time, your teeth become more transparent, allowing the yellower color of the dentin under the enamel show through.
Discolored teeth can be caused by other factors too. Regardless of why your teeth are less than a desirable color, your cosmetic dentist has teeth whitening options for revitalizing your healthy looking, bright smile.
Cause of Tooth Discoloration
Some of the most common causes for tooth discoloration are staining agents. These can appear in many forms, including:
- Tobacco products
- Coffee and other dark beverages
- Wine
- Berry based juices
- Chlorophyll laden vegetables
Other causes of discoloration that are not related to foreign agents include:
- Certain medications, especially tetracycline
- Tooth trauma
- Poor dental hygiene
- Natural aging processes
Tooth Whitening
There are two basic teeth whitening options using bleaching agents.
- In-office power bleaching
- Take home trays
The in office procedure consist of two office visits that take approximately 60 minutes each. A powerful bleaching agent is applied to your teeth and activated with a powerful, monochromatic light. Afterwards, your teeth can be up to nine shades brighter than when you started.
The take home trays use a less powerful bleaching agent that is allowed for the in-office procedure and the results take approximately two weeks before you see noticeable results. Specialized, custom-fitted trays are used with a high-concentration peroxide gel that requires a prescription, following a specific regimen.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are another common option for tooth whitening, especially if there are other factors to consider; such as crooked teeth, pitted teeth, or chipped teeth. These small appliances can be permanently applied to your teeth and provide a brighter smile. Porcelain is translucent, much like natural tooth enamel and gives you that natural looking tooth luster. Unlike natural tooth enamel, porcelain is non-porous and will not stain over time, providing a permanent whitening solution.
To find our more about your best cosmetic option for correcting discolored teeth, please contact Dr. Chee at Aesthetic Dental Studio for an initial teeth whitening consultation. Dr. Chee will identify the primary cause of the discoloration and come up with an effective treatment plan to help the bright, white smile of your youth.
