Almeida & Bell Dental in Lone Tree provides comprehensive cosmetic dental services

Teeth whitening is a popular dental procedure in the Lone Tree area. After all, who doesn’t want a whiter smile?

If you are considering tooth whitening, here are some things to remember.

Tooth Whitening: Key Findings

Whitening treatments can be effective on both extrinsic and intrinsic staining
Only natural teeth can be whitened; in most cases, tooth-colored restorations will not bleach
Whitening treatments include in-office bleaching procedures, dentist-supplied products for use at home, and over-the-counter (OTC) whiteners
Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide are commonly used in whitening interventions and can readily permeate dental hard tissues
Temporary tooth sensitivity and gingival inflammation are the most common adverse effects. (American Dental Association)

Almeida & Bell Dental Cosmetic, Implant & Sedation Dentistry in Lone Tree provides teeth whitening in-office or through a take home kit. Results vary, but most patients notice significant lightening that lasts up to a year.

What’s the difference between tooth whitening and tooth bleaching?

Though these terms are used interchangeably, they aren’t identical. Teeth whitening and teeth bleaching describe the active whitening agent.

Teeth whitener can refer to any product used to remove stains from tooth enamel: toothpaste, DIY strips, and some mouthwashes are safe and cost-effective and can enhance teeth with continued, regular use. The degree of whitening varies, and it takes scheduled use to see results.

Whitening products that do not contain bleach can typically make teeth two to four shades lighter. These are a good choice for people with sensitive teeth or gums. Almeida & Bell Dental Cosmetic, Implant & Sedation Dentistry in Lone Tree advises pregnant or nursing mothers to choose the non-bleach whitening products.

Bleaching can whiten deeper staining

The term “bleaching” is used to refer to a tooth whitening product that contains a form of bleach, either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. For best results, a professional should administer teeth bleaching in the office.

Teeth bleaching can frequently achieve more noticeable results, sometimes up to seven shades lighter. Intrinsic stains on the dentin, as well as surface stains, can be efficiently lightened under an experienced dentist’s care.

You can replace old silver fillings!

Perhaps you have old amalgam fillings that detract from your smile. We offer white fillings. If you replace old silver fillings with tooth-colored restorations, it will appear as if you have a cavity-free smile. Talk about an anti-aging treatment!

Almeida & Bell Dental in Lone Tree provides comprehensive general and cosmetic dental services. Call us today to schedule an exam, tooth whitening consultation, or professional dental cleaning.