By Charles E. Warlick, Jr. D.D.S.
It is only natural that dental patients today want the whitest, brightest smiles possible. In fact, it is estimated that over ten million people have had their teeth whitened in recent years. Some people are even buying tooth whitening certificates and giving them as a gift, particularly to graduating seniors.
Tooth whitening
systems have been around for 30 years though many people are unaware of
them. Advances in whitening gels have
given patients an alternative to porcelain veneers and other more costly means
for obtaining whiter teeth. This
alternative process reverses discoloration of tooth enamel to create a whiter,
more esthetic appearance. The advantages
of this procedure are that no natural
tooth structure is lost, no
anesthetic is required, and it
can be accomplished at home.
The process uses a special gel which is applied to the teeth nightly before bedtime. The gel is inserted into glove-like "trays" which fit over your teeth. The trays are made of very thin material which causes little discomfort during sleep. Many people achieve the desired whitening results in eight nights or less. Day-time whitening is also possible.
A number of factors can cause tooth discoloration. Among these causes are 1) Childhood antibiotics, 2) Excessive flouride, 3) Trauma to the teeth, 4) Pulp (nerve) degeneration, 5) Mercury-amalgam fillings, 6) Genetic and acquired illnesses, 7) Aging, and 8) Staining substances (coffee, tobacco, etc.). The gel is effective up to 95 % of the time on most stains, showing good success even on tetracycline and fluoride stains.
Your first step in having a whiter smile is to have an impression made of your teeth. From the cast we custom fabricate a set of upper and lower trays. We provide you with several tubes of whitening gel and give you both verbal and written instructions.
Do not confuse this “at home” whitening system under a dentist’s care with the “boil and bite” trays available in some retail stores. The trays from retail stores often do not fit well, leading to soreness and uneven whitening. To be successful in a whitening program, you must stay with it, and to stay with it, you must find it comfortable. Therefore, it is critical that both the tray and the gel be comfortable and non-irritating to the mouth.
For most people the results of tooth whitening will last for years. The length of time is determined largely by the original cause of discoloration such as consumption of staining substances like coffee or red wine. We can provide extra syringes of gel for touch-up whitening. We place major emphasis on “smile management” in our practice because we realize the effect that an attractive smile can have on self-esteem and self-confidence.
- See Ad on
This Page for Tooth Whitening -
Dr. Warlick has been practicing in
Wimberley for 21 years providing children and adults with full service dental
care. The