Michael Nugent, D.D.SProfessional Teeth Whitening Services in Pasadena
There are many over the counter products that claim to dramatically whiten your teeth. However, to get professionally whitened teeth you need to see a dentist. Come talk to Pasadena Dentist Michael Nugent. He will show you how easy professional teeth whitening can be.
Professional Tray Bleaching
For professional results patients need to visit Dr. Nugent. He will take detailed impressions of your mouth. From these impressions teeth bleaching trays will be made. Dr. Nugent will instruct you on the proper use of your new bleaching trays. At home bleaching is the most cost effective treatment to whitening your teeth.
Teeth are harder than bone but they are porous. Teeth accumulate stain. Anything that will stain a white t-shirt will stain a tooth. The stain is in the inside of the tooth. The professional bleaching trays fit perfectly over your teeth. You simply place a small amount of whitening gel into the bleaching tray. The gel oxidizes and breaks down hydroxyradicals leaving the tooth whiter and brighter. On average, the at home teeth whitening trays take about 20 minutes for 10-14 days to reach maximum teeth whiteness. This initial 10-14 day period is fighting the stain that has built up throughout the life of the teeth. Once maximum whiteness is achieved the patient simply stops bleaching. Over time the teeth will continue to become stained. Most patients “touch up” their teeth bleaching once or twice a year. This touch up only consists of 1-2 days.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Over the counter teeth whitening strips do work. However, they are not as effective as take home whitening trays. Thus, the patient has to buy the teeth whitening strips multiple times. The strips are merely rectangles that are awkward to place on the teeth. The whitening gel does not work as well as the professional teeth bleaching gel. Therefore, the patient has to wear the teeth whitening strips more often and for longer amounts of time.
Whitening Toothpaste and Mouthwash
The majority of stain on teeth is internal. Only teeth bleaching gel can get the stain out from inside the teeth. Over the counter teeth whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes only work on stain that is on the outside of the teeth. These products use mild abrasives to scrape off stain on the outside of the tooth. Whitening toothpaste and mouthwash ONLY affect the surface stain and only mildly whiten your teeth.
Laser Whitening, In Office Whitening, Zoom Whitening
Whitening in the dental office has many names: Laser Whitening, in Office Whitening, Zoom Whitening. This process usually lasts an hour with the Dentist applying teeth bleaching gel directly onto the teeth and utilizing a light or laser. This option works well and is fast. However, it makes the teeth incredibly sore and sensitive for many days. The teeth bleaching gel is a much higher concentration than the professional take home teeth bleaching gel. In multiple research studies the laser/light does nothing to increase the effectiveness of teeth bleaching. It is more a marketing gimmick. After the one hour of treatment the patient is not at his/her optimal whiteness. Therefore, the patient must still have take home bleaching trays made to achieve the optimal whiteness.
Does Bleaching Damage the Teeth?
No. When carbamide peroxide, the active whitening agent, contacts water, hydrogen peroxide is released which whitens the teeth. Bleaching does not soften, de-mineralize or weaken the teeth.
In short, Dr. Nugent recommends take home bleaching trays. They are extremely cost effective and easy to use. Laser whitening works but is very expensive, painful and patients must still use at home bleaching trays to achieve optimal teeth whiteness.
Get the best dental care for you and your family. Come see why Dr. Nugent has become Pasadena and the surrounding areas go to dentist for cosmetic dental procedures.