How Teeth Whitening and Bonding Can Give You a New Smile
Yellow or brown tooth stains can do serious damage to your self-confidence. Tooth discoloration has many causes. Smoking and chewing tobacco both result in yellow stains. Discoloration can also come from consuming foods and beverages that cause stains such as coffee, tea, and wine. A traumatic tooth injury with nerve death may cause deep discoloration. Even the normal aging process can yellow your teeth. Although you can’t avoid every cause of tooth stains, you can get your healthy, white smile back. Teeth bleaching and bonding procedures can restore your grin’s former glory.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening or bleaching can be performed either at home or at your dentist’s office. Teeth bleaching gels containing carbamide peroxide work by oxidizing stains. The first step in at-home whitening is having your dentist make an impression of your teeth to create custom-fitted trays that maximize your tooth enamel’s exposure to the whitening gel. Then, to treat your teeth at home, you’ll fill the trays with gel, and wear them for about two hours. This process is repeated daily for several weeks. With your dentist’s supervision, at-home whitening delivers great results.
If you desire fast and dramatic results, consider in-office teeth bleaching. Before your dentist applies the bleaching formula, he or she will protect your gums with a gel or a rubber shield. After the bleach is applied directly to your teeth, a special light is used every five minutes to activate and accelerate the bleaching agent. To maintain the results of your newly whitened teeth longer, avoid foods and beverages that stain teeth such as coffee, tea, red wine, and berries. Brush your teeth with a whitening toothpaste formula, and refrain from smoking.
Bonding Teeth: An Alternative for Stubborn Discoloration
If whitening procedures aren’t enough, bonding can restore your smile to perfection. Bonding teeth with composite materials involves shaping and preparing your natural tooth, matching your tooth color, and applying a thin layer of composite resin to the entire surface. The new tooth surface is then shaped and cured with a special light. Porcelain veneers are created in a lab using impressions of your teeth. Both composite bonding and porcelain veneers make unattractive stains a mere memory.
To learn about our family dentistry practice in Virginia, call Dental One Associates of Virginia today at or make an appointment.
Dental One Associates offers affordable family dentistry and gentle, compassionate dental care in Virginia. With 6 affiliated practices throughout Virginia, our offices are conveniently located with extended hours to meet your needs. At Dental One Associates of Virginia, we provide most dental services, from basic preventative care and general dentistry to specialized procedures and complete dental reconstruction. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer affordable financial solutions for any budget. Patient satisfaction is our top priority and we strive to provide the exceptional, affordable dental care and personal touch that lead to lasting relationships. A smiling patient is our greatest reward and we look forward to keeping those smiles healthy, beautiful, and bright. Discover an affordable dentist who truly cares at Dental One Associates of Virginia.
