Teeth Whitening Service

What Causes Tooth Discoloration

Most patients assume that discoloration is due to poor dental hygiene. This assumption is mostly incorrect. Poor dental health is merely one cause. Teeth also discolor because of:

• Eating certain foods or drinking certain liquids
• Thinning enamel due to aging
• Smoking
• Chronic medication
• A dental injury

How Does Teeth Whitening Work?

Teeth whitening is simple enough. The dentist or patient applies a bleaching agent to the teeth. Depending on the technique chosen, the bleach might need light to activate it. Either way, the teeth lighten because the bleach fades the stains.

Who Is A Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Whom the process works for depends on the extent of the stains and the condition of the teeth. Discoloration caused by natural aging, for example, may be more challenging to treat because it’s caused by the thinning of the enamel.

We recommend that patients schedule a consultation with Dr. Jackson to determine the best treatments for their situation.

What Are The Options?

There are three basic options for teeth whitening:

• Over-the-counter treatments
• In-office treatments
• Professional whitening trays

Over-The-Counter Treatments

There are many over-the-counter treatment options available to patients. These products work, but only to a limited degree. They will only lighten teeth up to two shades at best.

The chemicals in these products are carefully regulated and less potent than the treatment you get at a dentist’s office. Stronger whitening agents must be applied under the supervision of a trained dentist.

In-Office Treatments

In-office treatments are the fastest solution and can whiten teeth up to eight shades. Maple Creek Dentistry offers teeth whitening in Springville, UT in under an hour. Patients will see immediate improvement after the first treatment.

Dr. Jackson first applies a protective gel over your gums, then applies the bleaching solution to your teeth. Finally, he activates the solution using light.

Professional Whitening Trays

An in-house treatment prescribed by Dr. Jackson is a safe and effective alternative to OTC treatments. It’s gentler than the in-office treatments, so it’ll take a little longer. The advantage is that it’s more affordable than in-house treatments, and patients can complete the procedure from any location.

Dr. Jackson first takes an impression of your teeth. Using that, he makes whitening trays that fit your mouth perfectly, allowing the even application of the bleaching solution. The patient uses the tray and solution every night for a prescribed amount of time until they get the desired results.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is teeth bleaching safe?

When applied correctly, the bleaching solution used in teeth whitening is safe. Bleaching becomes problematic when patients repeat the therapy too often. That’s most likely to happen when patients use home treatments.

With home treatments, patients seldom get the results that they want. They’re more likely to repeat the procedures as a result. With repeated treatments, they weaken the enamel of their teeth and eventually wear it away. It’s better to stick to professional treatments.

Will the treatments make my teeth sensitive?

The bleaching process will make teeth more sensitive at first. When the bleaching solution is professionally applied at Maple Creek Dental, this sensitivity passes quickly.

Should patients whiten their teeth before or after dental work?

We recommend that patients white their teeth before having dental work done. Why? Bleaching lightens the shade of natural teeth but has little effect on dental crowns or bridges. If Dr. Jackson installs one of these dental devices before the whitening process, they’ll look conspicuous afterward.

Is this treatment permanent?

The answer here depends primarily on you. Patients typically return for touchups every six months to two years. If patients care for their teeth correctly and avoid smoking and foods that stain the teeth, the results can last for ten years.

Does tooth whitening affect dental devices?

The materials used to make restorative devices aren’t affected by the bleach. The bonds between the teeth and the devices, however, might weaken. For this reason, it’s best to stick with professional care.

Do patients need to take special care cleaning teeth after the procedure?

In the day or two after treatments, we recommend that patients brush gently. After a few days, patients can resume their regular brushing routines.

What are alternatives to bleaching treatments?

Should a patient’s teeth be too stained or damaged to make bleaching effective, Dr. Jackson may suggest veneers instead. Veneers are usually made from a thin layer of porcelain and mask the underlying teeth.

The Process on How it Works

When a whitening solution is applied to the teeth, the hydrogen peroxide inside of the solution penetrates through the enamel. It then starts the oxidation process where molecules are transformed to reflect less or no light. This makes them appear colorless, and teeth appear white. This process is typically extremely effective for eliminating stains and can be repeated frequently.

On occasion, the stains are too strong for a teeth bleaching procedure to work. When this happens, we can provide an alternative treatment. For example, patients in Springville can have dental veneers placed on the surface of teeth in order to cover dark stains. This is often preferable for patients that smoke since veneers are stain resistant and won’t yellow quickly like natural teeth. Still, it is wise to try a teeth whitening procedure first, before starting a cosmetic one.

At Maple Creek Dental, we also recommend that patients have their teeth whitened before having other dental procedures completed. Most of the materials that are used in dental restorations or for cosmetic purposes are stain resistant and bleach resistant. For example, a dental crown won’t stain or bleach but should maintain its initial coloring with time. When a crown, veneer, bridge, or implant is created in a dental lab, they are created to match the shade of the surrounding teeth. If the surrounding teeth are yellow, these restorations will be created in a yellow shade. If the surrounding teeth are a brilliant white, the restoration will be as well. This makes the timing of teeth whitening procedures important. If you live in the Springville area and are interested in a dental restoration, schedule your teeth whitening procedure first.

The procedure itself should not cause any discomfort and is relatively easy to complete. Before getting started, we simply recommend that patients schedule a dental exam with our Springville dental office. We will then examine your teeth and gums to ensure that they are healthy enough for whitening. This way if any cavities or infections exist they can be treated first. To learn more or to get started, call (801) 489-6811 and schedule your appointment..