It’s amazing how much you will find yourself smiling when you have a beautiful, healthy-looking smile; however, have you started to notice that your smile is looking rather dull and even a little yellow? This happens to many people as they age. Fortunately, our Arlington, TX, cosmetic dentist Dr. Joseph Reed can easily get your smile several shades whiter in about one hour.
How does professional teeth whitening work?
There are two different kinds of stains: intrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic, or external stains are often yellow in appearance and are due to the foods and drinks we consume. As the enamel thins over time, this can also lead to yellowing. On the other hand, intrinsic stains can be caused by excessive fluoride or certain medications. These stains lie deep within the tooth and are harder to treat with professional teeth whitening.
Professional teeth whitening is most effective against yellow stains. When our Arlington, TX, cosmetic dentist applies the gel to the front of your teeth it enters the porous enamel layers of the tooth to target and break up stubborn stain molecules.
The whitening gel contains an active bleaching agent (often hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide), which is able to break up these molecules. The active ingredient is often found in a much higher concentration with professional whitening products than with over-the-counter whitening kits, which means that the gel doesn’t have to remain on teeth nearly as long in order to see results.
How much whiter will my smile get with professional teeth whitening?
Results will vary from person to person depending on certain factors including the type and severity of your stains. This is something that we would be happy to discuss with you when you come into our office for a consultation. We can examine your smile and discuss your treatment goals to make sure that professional teeth whitening is the best option.
In most cases, we can get smiles up to five shades brighter in just one session. Since in-office whitening offers the fastest whitening results possible, many people choose this approach if they are looking to get a whiter smile before a big occasion like a wedding.
Are you interested in getting teeth whitening in Arlington, TX? Want to sit down and talk to us about your whether chairside or at-home whitening is the best option for you? Call Arlington Dental today to schedule a consultation with our cosmetic dentist!