Who doesn’t want a smile that looks bright, fresh, clean, and healthy? A great-looking smile works wonders for your confidence, and it can have a major influence on how others see you too. At Family Dental Care of Stamford, Anna Fromzel, DDS, uses a state-of-the-art in-office whitening treatment designed to eradicate stains and yellowing and help patients from Stamford, Connecticut, enjoy dramatically more beautiful smiles in just a single, one-hour treatment. It’s a simple, fast way to feel great and look your best.
Teeth Whitening Q & A
What are the most common causes of yellowed, stained teeth?
Poor brushing habits can be one cause of yellowed, stained teeth, but often, the primary causes are foods and beverages. Tooth enamel is porous, and foods and beverages with dark pigments can penetrate the superficial layers, causing teeth to become discolored over time. Coffee, tea, red wine, dark berries and juices, foods with artificial and natural food colorings, and dark spices can all cause staining. So can tobacco products, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and chewing tobacco. The good news is, these superficial stains can be removed with professional teeth whitening treatments, restoring a whiter, brighter appearance and helping smiles look their best.
Is professional teeth whitening safe?
Yes, Dr. Fromzel uses products and techniques that have been tested and proven to be completely safe in a professional setting.
What happens during an in-office teeth whitening procedure?
In-office teeth whitening uses a special light-activated gel that’s applied to the surface of each tooth. Before the whitening treatment, a lip guard is used to gently hold the lips back from the teeth, preventing the gel from being wiped away. Then the gel is applied to each tooth, followed by application of the light to activate the whitening agents so they can penetrate the tooth surfaces more effectively. The gel may be applied several times during the treatment to ensure optimal whitening. Procedures are completed in about an hour, providing results that are more consistent and more dramatic than over-the-counter tooth bleaching products.
Can restorations like crowns and veneers be whitened?
No, restorations are designed to be resistant to stains, and that also means they’re resistant to whitening agents. In the rare instances where a veneer or crown becomes discolored, the restoration will need to be replaced to look its best. Many patients who plan to have restorations have their teeth whitened first to make sure the restorations will match their teeth when they’re white and bright.
Will teeth whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Some patients may experience increased sensitivity as a result of their whitening treatments, but any sensitivity that does occur is temporary and will resolve soon after treatment. One of the benefits of having teeth professionally whitened is that Dr. Fromzel can correct any tiny imperfections like small cracks or cavities before whitening, so the risk of sensitivity is reduced.