Teeth Whitening
Public interest in teeth whitening stems from the desire to have a more youthful, professional appearance. White teeth convey vitality and success; however, many people are misinformed when it comes to the facts about teeth whitening. The truth is that professional teeth whitening works. Most people who opt for this treatment will see improvement in the whiteness of their smile. Stains caused by food products, beverages, tobacco, and aging typically respond better to whitening than stains caused by medications or fluorosis. Additionally, professional teeth whitening will give you brighter, more accurate results than over-the-counter strips or pastes.
Types of Stains
Stains tend to fall into two categories—extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains rest on the exterior of the tooth surface. Caused by foods, beverages, and tobacco, extrinsic stains are easily removed with professional teeth whitening. Intrinsic stains are embedded within the structure of the tooth. Common causes of intrinsic stains include heredity, tetracycline, and fluoride ingestion. Extrinsic stains are harder, though not impossible, to lighten with teeth whitening.
Types of Teeth Whitening
Dr. Dougherty offers two types of teeth whitening—in-office and take-home. In-office whitening uses a high-potency bleaching agent to significantly change tooth color in a short period of time. The gel is carefully applied to each tooth, activated with a lamp or laser, and left to settle for roughly an hour. Teeth can lighten up to 10 shades with in-office teeth whitening. Take-home teeth whitening involves a low-concentration solution that whitens teeth more gradually. We’ll create form-fitted mouth trays that hold the solution against your teeth without damaging your soft tissues. Patients wear the trays at night or during the day for 10 to 14 days. Take-home teeth whitening can brighten smiles up to eight shades.
Teeth whitening is not a permanent treatment, and for best results, periodic touch-ups are recommended. Dr. Dougherty will examine your teeth to determine if teeth whitening is right for you. We offer teeth whitening alternatives, such as porcelain veneers, for patients whose teeth don’t respond well to bleaching.
Delmarva Sedation Dentistry – The Shore Choice
Take the first step toward health and wellness, call our West Ocean City dental office and reserve your appointment with Dr. Edward T. Dougherty. Delmarva Sedation Dentistry serves the entire Delmarva peninsula including, Bethany Beach, Selbyville, Rehoboth, Fenwick, Ocean Pines, Salisbury, and Berlin with gentle, holistic care for smiles that last a lifetime.