If you have stained teeth, we understand how this can impact your smile’s beauty, and your own confidence in your smile. In order to help brighten teeth, your Woodland Hills, CA, cosmetic dentist may recommend teeth whitening. Let’s talk about how we remove and mask teeth stains, helping people enjoy brighter smiles.
Teeth Whitening
The most common method for removing discoloration is professional teeth whitening. With our at-home option, we can often brighten smiles by several shades in under two weeks. To begin, we need to take detailed impressions of your smile, which enables us to create a set of custom trays. Our team then prescribes a powerful bleaching gel. At home, you will fill the trays with gel and wear them for between 30 and 45 minutes a day. The trays will ensure the gel is spread evenly across the teeth, offering uniform whitening. The total amount of time for treatment will depend on the cause and extent of your misalignment, but optimal results usually take between a week and ten days. You can keep your trays and any remaining gel for touch-ups in the coming months.
Bonding and Veneers
Most teeth stains are extrinsic, meaning they form on the surface as a result of the foods and drinks we consume. However, there is also intrinsic discoloration, which forms beneath the tooth structure. For example, an injury could allow blood to fill the porous sections of the inner dentin, causing stains. Fluorosis and exposure to tetracycline at a young age could also lead to these permanent teeth stains. Since they sometimes don’t respond to traditional teeth whitening options, we may elect to mask them instead. With dental bonding, we use the same material employed in our tooth-colored fillings to mask discoloration in one visit. Veneers, thin shells of porcelain, will be placed onto the front-facing sides of the teeth to instantly change the color and shape of the teeth.
Preventing Discoloration
What can we do to avoid discoloration? First, try to reduce the severity of plaque buildup, which can make stains more apparent. To do this, be sure you cut back on sugary foods and drinks, and make time to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes and floss every night before going to bed. Consume fewer beverages with dark pigments, such as coffee, soda, tea, and red wine. You should also quit using tobacco products and see us for a cleaning every six months!
Let’s Talk About Cosmetic Dentistry
Our team is ready to help you enjoy a brighter smile. For more information on cosmetic dentistry, then please schedule a consultation by calling Woodland Hills Dental Arts in Woodland Hills, CA today at 818-347-5124. We also proudly welcome patients from Thousand Oaks, Westlake, and all surrounding communities.