During our previous blog post, Dr. Lechner opened a discussion about teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is one of the most commonly requested dental procedures, yet patients usually know very little about it. In our previous post, Dr. Lechner discussed some of the most common causes of tooth discoloration and why it is important to know this. After determining the root cause of your tooth discoloration, you will be more prepared to make a choice about what teeth whitening option you want to utilize. Below, we outline several of the available options:
- In home system: Dentists often use at in home system that contains whitening gels and custom-made trays to hold the whitening gel. With an in home system, you will either wear the trays overnight or twice per day for about a half hour at a time. You should see results within a couple of weeks.
- In office system: This type of treatment will give you results quicker than any other treatment. An in office system will take place during one visit to your dentist. Typically, a whitening agent will be applied to your teeth for about an hour and your dentist may utilize a specialized light for optimal results.
- Products available in stores: Whether it be toothpaste, mouthwash, or strips, these products will not give you the same results as an in home or in office treatment from your dentist. Usually, these products will only be able to whiten your teeth by one shade. The reason for this is due to a lack of bleaching agent in these products.
- OTC products: These products will work better than toothpastes, strips, or mouthwashes, but still not as well as treatment from your dentist. These products do contain a bleaching agent, but not as much as products from your dentist’s office.
- Veneers, crowns, and other restorations: There are certain causes of tooth discoloration that cannot be corrected with a product that contains a bleaching agent. In these cases, a dentist may recommend a veneer or other type of restoration to correct your discolored teeth!
As we have previously determined, the underlying cause of your tooth discolorations will be a big factor in deciding the kind of treatment you receive. We recommend consulting your dentist in order to make an informed choice about what is best for you. If you are in the Delaware, OH area, Dr. Lechner is always welcoming new patients. Contact us today!