Dental Bleaching in Dr. William Teen's Brooklyn Heights Dental Office
Years ago the only way to lighten one's teeth was by covering the teeth with crowns (caps), In more recent times porcelain veneers or directly applied dental bonding were options. The advent of dental bleaching however provided simpler, faster, more conservative and economical option for teeth whitening that so many people desired. Crowns, porcelain veneers, or bonding however do provide excellent results for those who may not be likely to benefit from dental bleaching, or whose dental condition dictates other forms of treatment. Dr. Teen will help you decide if bleaching is right for you.
Dental Bleaching is successful in the vast majority of patients. Teeth that have darkened as a result of aging, or that show color casts in the yellow, orange, brown family generally respond best to bleaching. These colors are usually related to coffee and tea, red wine and cola, smoking, bacterial pigments, and certain food products. Teeth that have gray colored staining respond less favorably to bleaching. Gray colorations may be a result of childhood consumption of tetracycline antibiotics, or fluorosis. Teeth within this group may not respond to dental bleaching, or require protracted treatments to get a result. If you have very sensitive teeth, periodontal (gum) disease or teeth with worn enamel, we may discourage bleaching . Other dental options (bonding, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns) may be used in these cases, where lightening of tooth shade is desired.
Dental Bleaching is successful in the vast majority of patients. Teeth that have darkened as a result of aging, or that show color casts in the yellow, orange, brown family generally respond best to bleaching. These colors are usually related to coffee and tea, red wine and cola, smoking, bacterial pigments, and certain food products. Teeth that have gray colored staining respond less favorably to bleaching. Gray colorations may be a result of childhood consumption of tetracycline antibiotics, or fluorosis. Teeth within this group may not respond to dental bleaching, or require protracted treatments to get a result. If you have very sensitive teeth, periodontal (gum) disease or teeth with worn enamel, we may discourage bleaching . Other dental options (bonding, porcelain veneers, porcelain crowns) may be used in these cases, where lightening of tooth shade is desired.
What's Involved in the bleaching process?
First Dr. Teen will determine if you are a potential candidate for tooth bleaching, and what kind of bleaching system would provide optimal results. The two types of bleach are in office bleach, and dentist supervised customized at home bleaching. Typically we recommend at home bleaching because it provides similar or longer lasting results, is more economical, and yields dramatically less or no tooth sensitivity during the bleaching process. At home bleaching requires that impressions be made and used in the fabrication of customized clear flexible bleaching trays that adapt intimately to your teeth. These will typically be used twice a day for 15 minutes, until desired results are achieved, usually in about 2 weeks. The lightness should last from one to five years, depending on your personal habits such as smoking and drinking coffee and tea for example. At this point you may choose to do a touch-up. This can be done at home quickly and easily using your existing bleach trays and a bleach touch-up kit available from our office. The re-treatment time is much less than the original treatment time, and the cost nominal.
No one can really predict how much lighter one's teeth will become. Every case is different. Typically, there is a two-shade improvement (as seen on a dentist's shade guide). The degree of success depends upon the type of stains involved, enamel thickness and quality, the type of bleaching procedure, and patient compliance. Using bleach once or twice a week instead of twice a day is not advised nor effective. Bleaching works on natural teeth and does not lighten man made materials such as composite bonding, crowns, or porcelain veneers.
While Dr. Teen has extensive expertise, experience, and training in advanced cosmetic dental procedures, he always seeks the most conservative option and pathway to achieve what his patient desires. Often times dental bleaching fits the bill, being the simplest way enhance your smile, and it could be fun.
No one can really predict how much lighter one's teeth will become. Every case is different. Typically, there is a two-shade improvement (as seen on a dentist's shade guide). The degree of success depends upon the type of stains involved, enamel thickness and quality, the type of bleaching procedure, and patient compliance. Using bleach once or twice a week instead of twice a day is not advised nor effective. Bleaching works on natural teeth and does not lighten man made materials such as composite bonding, crowns, or porcelain veneers.
While Dr. Teen has extensive expertise, experience, and training in advanced cosmetic dental procedures, he always seeks the most conservative option and pathway to achieve what his patient desires. Often times dental bleaching fits the bill, being the simplest way enhance your smile, and it could be fun.