Teeth Bleaching
Teeth Bleaching treatments, performed by the dental professionals in Dr. Ueckert’s office, provide patients the state of the art in teeth whitening available today. The term teeth bleaching is used to refer to treatments which brighten the enamel of the tooth beyond its natural starting point. Our techniques utilize oxidizing agents to visibly lighten the shade of the teeth. This can be necessary to correct discoloration due to extrinsic and intrinsic staining. By bleaching the patient’s teeth, the color of the teeth is brought to a brighter and more cohesive shade, creating a brighter and whiter smile.
Teeth Bleaching For Intrinsic Stains
As hemoglobin breaks down near the site of the trauma, it leaves iron sulfide residue that becomes darker and appears as a black shade in the tooth. There are many other causes of intrinsic staining, all of which can be corrected with teeth bleaching treatments. They include:
- Fluorosis or High levels of fluoride intake during tooth development
- Medications especially antibiotics like tetracycline and minocycline
- Hereditary factors causing imperfections in formation of enamel or dentin
- Aging factors due to physical changes like loss of enamel
Teeth Bleaching For Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains are those that have attached to the outer surface of the tooth’s enamel. This type of stain is far more common than the intrinsic variety. The majority of extrinsic stains are caused through food and beverage pigments interacting with surface plaque on the tooth’s enamel. Once extrinsic stains have entered the microscopic cracks in the tooth enamel, they cannot be removed simply by brushing or dental cleaning. Since most people are unwilling to give up the causes of extrinsic stains, like smoking, wine and coffee, teeth bleaching treatment can provide a safe solution. Other causes of extrinsic staining include:
- Poor oral hygiene allowing for a build-up of plaque and tooth decay
- Foods with dark pigments: berries, curry and fried foods
- Drinks: red wine, coffee and tea
- Dietary Supplements like iron tablets
- Mouthwash that contains antibacterial chlorhexidine
Advancements in Teeth Bleaching
The first reports of bleaching treatments date back to the end of the 19th century. Back then dentists used hydrochloric acid and chlorine to improve the appearance of teeth. While the treatment might have produced successful results, the method was less than safe for dental patients. Today’s teeth bleaching compounds consist of varied amounts of oxidizing components which successfully function to whiten your teeth.
Even though bleaching has been around for almost 150 years, widespread acceptance did not come until the 1980’s. Since then, clinical trials by the Food and Drug Administration and the American Dental Association, have repeatedly proven the treatment safe as well as effective in combating intrinsic and extrinsic stains.
Teeth Bleaching Options
With the current trends towards cosmetic smile enhancement, many product manufactures have made efforts to capitalize on the teeth whitening market. There is an abundance of products available, over the counter and at your local grocery store, claiming to have teeth whitening benefits. These products can range from toothpaste and mouth rinse to gum, but most leave the user with less than desired results. Many times this is because the active peroxide agent is not effective due to concentration, how it is applied, and the lack of duration it spends in contact with the teeth.
Teeth Bleaching treatment in Dr. Ueckert’s office goes above and beyond what you can receive from an over the counter product. The high concentration bleaching compounds are only available through dental offices and provide unmistakable treatment results. These in-office treatment options represent the most advanced solutions to tooth discoloration. Since the bleaching agents are highly concentrated, they should only be done by trained professionals who are familiar with the compounds and safety precautions. In-office teeth bleaching techniques can result in significant and lasting change in the color and appearance of stained teeth.
Teeth bleaching is the easiest way to achieve stunning, pearly white teeth. If you need help returning beauty to your smile and confidence to yourself, call Dr. Gregg Ueckert’s office to set up your teeth bleaching appointment.
