Teeth Lightening
Your smile says a lot about you. When you smile, the first thing that people see is your teeth. If your teeth are dull and discolored, the quality of your smile is significantly affected and can cause you to become quite self-conscious. At Sussex Dental, we can restore the bright white beauty of your smile with teeth lightening.
What is Teeth Lightening?The enamel of your teeth is naturally bright white in color. However, over time, stains and pigments can accumulate, dulling the color of your teeth and the quality of your smile. Discoloration has many causes, including such things as what you eat and drink, smoking and other tobacco products, and certain types of medications. Even aging can lead to the dulling of your tooth color. Fortunately, you do not have to live with dull, discolored teeth. Teeth lightening is a simple, non-invasive cosmetic procedure that is designed to eliminate discoloration from your teeth, restoring their bright white beauty, and your confidence.
How Does Teeth Lightening Work?There are two different ways that teeth lightening can be performed, either in our office or your own home. Our in-office procedure only requires about an hour of your time. First, your teeth are cleaned. Next, a lip retractor is placed in your mouth to keep your lips away, and a protective gel is applied to your gums. We then apply the lightening agent to the surfaces of your teeth. The active ingredient begins to break down, forming tiny oxygen bubbles, which enter into the enamel and the dentin, clinging to stains and eliminating them. A light is shown over your teeth the help enhance the results. In-office lightening brightens your teeth several shades, and the results are noticeable immediately. The other way in which your teeth can be lightened is with take-home trays. With this treatment, we create customized trays from impressions of your mouth. You are then provided with your trays, the lightening agent, and instructions for use. The trays are made to be worn for several hours twice a day or overnight while you sleep. Based on your needs and goals, the trays will typically be used for one to two weeks. Your results are generally noticeable in just under a week.
Why Not Use Over the Counter Products?You may have noticed that there are numerous types of products available over the counter to lighten the color of your teeth. These include such things as toothpaste, strips, gels, pens, and more. These products claim amazing results in a short period. However, most of them have low levels of the lightening agents. It can take several treatments before you even notice a minor improvement. These products can be helpful for small stains, but if you have deeper, darker stains, professional teeth lightening will provide you with the best results.
Is Treatment with Teeth Lightening Permanent?While teeth lightening can brighten the color of your teeth, giving you back your beautiful white smile, it is not a permanent solution. The same things that contributed to your discoloration in the first place can cause discoloration again. You can, however, take action to make the results last as long as possible.| • |
Limit staining foods and beverages.
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Drink plenty of water.
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Quit use of tobacco products.
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Brush and floss regularly.
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Have your teeth periodically touched up. |
If you are interested in restoring the brightness of your teeth and enhancing the quality of your smile, teeth lightening may be for you. Call Sussex Dental today at (262) 246-6806 to schedule your appointment. |
