Understanding the Process of Teeth Whitening

You cannot fault anyone for wanting to look and feel better than they currently do. If anything, it should always be your goal to invest in things that improve the quality of your life.

When it comes to your dental health, it is not just about fighting infections. You must also look into the appearance of your smile and how it affects your life daily. This is what makes treatments like teeth whitening very critical in dentistry.

What Is Teeth Whitening?

It is a dental procedure that involves the beautification of teeth by improving the color thereof. The procedure focuses on bleaching the enamel and dentin of teeth, to brighten and whiten the color.

Most of the patients that solicit for teeth whitening services near Encinitas, CA have preexisting stains that discolor their teeth. However, other patients are after improving the shade of color of their natural teeth, ideally to make them whiter than they are. Either way, there is room for every patient seeking to whiten their teeth. All you need to know is which of the available teeth whitening techniques works best for you.

Techniques for Whitening Teeth in Dentistry

There are primarily two main ways to whiten your teeth in dentistry. This encompasses in-office teeth whitening, professionally done by a dentist in Encinitas, CA. The two work differently but present similar desired results.

• Teeth whitening through bleaching

It is the process of using different whitening agents to brighten the dentin and enamel of teeth. Ideally, the dentist will first clean your teeth to get rid of any plaque and tartar on the surfaces. This should immediately realize an improvement in the appearance of your teeth.

Afterward, the attending dentist will apply a special whitening product on your teeth. The product is packed with hydrogen peroxide that is responsible for the whitening of teeth. It breaks down stains and allows oxygen to penetrate your teeth, even to the dentin. This is what ensures that your teeth appear brighter.

To achieve this quickly and more effectively, the whitening agent is activated with laser technology or ultraviolet light. This helps the breakdown of stains to happen faster and the results to be better. The treatment is done a couple of times until the dentist is satisfied with the results.

• Whitening with dental veneers

This is the approach that a cosmetic dentist in Encinitas, CA is more likely to use, than the other alternative. It does not involve bleaching your teeth. Instead, it involves layering your teeth with a whiter and brighter oral appliance that will make your teeth better-looking.

A dental veneer is a tooth-shaped, tooth-colored shell-like appliance that is attached to the front surfaces of your teeth. When attached, it brightens the color of your teeth. Veneers preferable where the stain you want to remove is only evident in some of your teeth. It is also a great option for covering stubborn stains that refuse to come out after intense bleaching efforts.

Veneers adhere to your teeth through a process called dental bonding. It features the use of special dental cement and laser light to adhere to the porcelain shells on your teeth. Ideally, they are minimally invasive, having that only a small portion of your front teeth is trimmed to make room for the veneer to sit properly.

Which One Should You Choose?

Either of the processes of whitening your teeth are accredited as safe for human mouths. In that case, no matter the decision you make, you will get the results you desire. The question over which of the two is right for you will lie on your preferences. While both have varying advantages, here are some of the factors that should influence your decision:

• The longevity of the results – an underlying fact about both of the two processes is that they are not permanent. With enamel bleaching, you may need another procedure after several months to a year. With veneers, however, the white teeth can serve you much longer, having that the porcelain shells have a lifespan of up to 15 years. However, how you care for them affects the outcome thereof.
• Costs – the upfront cost of veneers is higher than for a teeth-bleaching procedure. However, the long-term costs are different.
• Level of invasion – each of the procedure indulges in your teeth’s structure. What is better for one person may not be better for you.