FAQ

FAQ:


What causes staining or yellow teeth?
There are several causes for tooth discoloration. Common causes of yellow or discolored teeth include:
-       Drinks like wine, soda, coffee and tea, and even foods like apples, potatoes, or beets can cause discoloration
-       Tobacco Use: Smoking and smokeless tobacco can cause staining on the teeth.
-       Poor Dental Hygiene: Insufficient brushing and flossing, especially in conjunction with frequent use of staining foods, drinks, and tobacco can cause tooth discoloration
-       Disease: There are many diseases that can affect oral health and the color and appearance of the teeth. In other cases, treatments of some diseases can have side effects resulting in tooth discoloration.
-       Medications: Certain antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline are known to cause tooth discoloration when given to children with developing teeth.
-       Dental Materials: Items like composite materials and amalgam, especially materials containing silver sulfide can cause gray or black coloring on teeth. [1]
 
How much does teeth whitening cost?
Costs vary by each type of treatment, but according to a fact sheet prepared by the ADHA (American Dental Hygienists Association), teeth whitening products and procedures tend to cost as follows[2]:
Professionally-Supervised In-Office Procedures: $200-850
Professionally Supervised and Dispensed “At-Home” Products: $250-$350
Direct Response/TV/Internet Products: $30-$100
Over-the-Counter Limited-Use Products (Whitening Strips and Paint-On products): $15-$50
Over-the-Counter Daily Use Products (toothpaste, dental floss, mouth rinse, chewing gum): $.75-$5
 
 
Is teeth whitening safe?
Yes. There are many ways to safely whiten your teeth. To ensure a healthy and brighter smile, it’s best to develop a teeth whitening plan with your dentist. In their latest whitening report, the American Dental Associated stated that:
Data accumulated over the last 20 years indicate no significant, long-term oral or systemic health risks associated with professional at-home tooth bleaching materials containing 10% carbamide peroxide (3.5% hydrogen peroxide). However, these data were collected from studies conducted by dental professionals, and there is no safety evidence on bleaching materials that do not involve dental professionals, regardless of H2O2 concentration or application venue.[3]
 
What is the best method for whitening your teeth?
Every patient has different personal needs that can determine what the best method for whitening your teeth should be. Your best method depends on what your current tooth color is, how much time and money you have to spend, whether you have existing dental work that needs to be taken into consideration, etc. Talk to your dentist about the color of your teeth, and she or he can help you develop a plan for a healthy, brighter smile.
 
What is the fastest way to whiten your teeth?
Professional In-Office procedures are the fastest way to whiten your teeth. While total procedure time may vary, patients can expect to spend around 90 minutes at the dentists office from start to finish, as compared to take home options (either dental custom trays or over-the-counter trips) which may take anywhere from 5 days to 3 weeks for an individual to reach their “bleaching end point” (the point at which your teeth have achieved their maximum whiteness). Ask your dentist or dental professional for an estimate on procedure time.
 
How long do teeth whitening results last?
The results depend on many variables including the properties of your teeth, the products and methods you use to whiten and your lifestyle. With proper maintenance, your teeth will always be lighter once you whiten with either a professional in-office or at-home procedure. Even with the use of teeth whitening products that are applied by dental professionals, there will be some “fade-back” eventually, however “touch up” procedures can be used to maintain a bright, healthy smile.
 
Can everybody get their teeth bright white?
While almost anyone will achieve whiter teeth if they undergo a teeth whitening treatment, certain treatments may not be as effective for some as it is for others. Your dental professional can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure through a thorough oral exam, including a shade assessment.
It is important to note that teeth whitening only works on natural teeth. A consultation with your dentist or dental hygienist is a great way to determine if teeth whitening is right for you.
 
What is the difference between teeth whitening and teeth bleaching?
To most people these terms may be used interchangeably. Whitening is another word for “bleaching” your teeth. For some, “whitening” can include over-the-counter products such as toothpastes and mouth washes that can affect some surface stains, while they consider “bleaching” the use of carbamide or hydrogen peroxide gels to remove deeper stains on the teeth.
 
Why whiten my teeth professionally?
Your dentist will review your dental history, make sure you are a good candidate to whiten, provide you the best product for your lifestyle and oversee the treatment process.
 
Do “whitening” toothpastes work?
All toothpastes actually help remove surface stains using mild abrasives. However, unlike bleaching materials used in professional whitening procedures, these products do not lighten the actual color shade of the tooth. Rather, whitening toothpastes affect surface stains to mildly lighten your teeth resulting on about a one shade improvement while professional whitening procedures such as custom trays or laser whitening can get your teeth 5-8 shades whiter. [4]
 
Professional At-Home Whitening FAQ:
How does the professional at-home teeth whitening process work?
The whitening gel is placed in custom-fitted trays that fit over your teeth. As the peroxide in the gel breaks down, hydroxyradicals enter the tooth to naturally whiten the stains. Unlike strips, this process whitens all your teeth and provides maximum comfort with less sensitivity.
 
How white will my teeth get?
Results vary, depending on your age, starting shade and the condition of your teeth. Other considerations include which whitening formula is used and how long it’s worn. Ask your dentist for a personal assessment.
 
How long will professional at-home teeth whitening usually take?
You’ll see whitening within the first few days, with maximum results achieved in 10–14 days.
 
How long will professional at-home tray bleaching results last?
With proper maintenance, your teeth will always be lighter once you whiten. However, you may want a “touch-up” once or twice each year.
 
Are there any side effects?
Some people may experience increased tooth sensitivity during treatment or just post treatment. If you’re prone to hypersensitivity, you can decrease the wear time per day and increase the number of days or ask your dentist about prescription-strength sensitivity control products. Post treatment sensitivity is short term and generally lasts no more than 24 to 48 hours. 
 
Do I have to stay away from staining foods or drinks when I’m using professional take-home whitening products?
Most products will recommend staying away form staining foods and drink for approximately 30 minutes after your treatment. Because of the high concentration of peroxide in professionally administered whitening, your teeth will stay white even when you eat these types of foods.


Professional In-Office Whitening FAQs
What is professional In-Office Whitening?
Professional In-Office whitening refers to a whitening procedure that takes place in a dentist’s office and under the direct supervision of oral care professionals. Generally speaking, when undergoing an in office procedure, patients should expect to spend about 90 minutes at the dentist’s office. Your Dentist or dental professional can tell you how long the entire procedure will take.
 
Some systems can provide results of up to 8 shades whiter, though exact results depend on the patient. Professional in-office whitening is generally understood to be the fastest way to get the best whitening results. 
Many professional in-office whitening procedures use an “accelerator” such as whitening lamp that uses either UV or LED technology to activate the bleaching activity of the hydrogen peroxide whitening gel. Some professional in-office treatments do not use a light source as an accelerator. 
 
Professional in-office teeth whitening is an ideal procedure for a person with a busy schedule as it provides you the flexibility to whiten when it is most convenient. This option also can be best for patients who might experience discomfort with trays or ultimately, who wish to whiten right away instead of waiting for weeks to achieve results.
 
What is “laser” whitening?
While there are actual lasers that are used to help accelerate the whitening properties of peroxide, the whitening systems that are commonly referred to as laser whitening are not lasers at all, but instead are lamps that use UV or LED technology to enhance the penetration of the whitening gel into your teeth enamel, thus improving the result of the tooth bleaching. [5]The stains could come from coffee, nicotine or simply from years of eating certain foods. When the process ends, the patient leaves and does not need any further treatments in most cases.
 
What causes tooth discoloration?
There are many causes. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, and red wine. During tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline or other antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration.
 
Who may benefit from tooth whitening?
Almost anyone. However, treatment may not be as effective for some as it is for others. Your dental professional can determine if you are a viable candidate for this procedure through a thorough oral exam, including a shade assessment.
 
How long do the results last?
By following some simple post-whitening care instructions, your teeth will always be lighter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, we recommend flossing, brushing twice daily, and occasional touch-ups with at-home whitening gel. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. They are available only through your dental professional.
 
Is there any difference between over-the-counter tooth whiteners and professional in-office whitening procedures?
Yes. Consulting your dental professional is always the first step to whitening your teeth safely. Over-the-counter tooth whitening strips, brush-on gels and toothpastes can take weeks or months to whiten your teeth just a few shades. Certain professional in-office whitening procedures are clinically proven to whiten your teeth an average of six to eight shades in one hour. Only a dentist can get your teeth this white, this fast.


Are there any side effects?
Some people experience temporary increased tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods during or right after treatment. These symptoms usually disappear within 1-3 days after interruption or completion of the treatment.

[1] Williams Darren, Dental Health and Tooth Discoloration, WebMD., 2009 http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tooth-discoloration

[2] Menage Bernie, RDH and Fehrenbach, RDH, MS Dental Hygiene. “Get the Facts on Tooth Whitening.” ADHA.org,. 2005 www.adha.org/downloads/tooth_whitening_factsheet.pdf

[3] ADA Council on Scientific Affairs, Tooth Whitening/Bleaching: Treatment Considerations for Dentists and Their Patients, September 2009. http://www.ada.org/sections/about/pdfs/HOD_whitening_rpt.pdf

[4] Tonn, Elvern DDS. Guide to Teeth Whitening, WebMD., 2009 http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-whitening

[5]Ontiveros JC, Paravina R, Ward MT. Clinical Evaluation of a Chairside Whitening Lamp and Bleaching Efficacy. Journal of Dental Research 87(Special Issue A): 1081, 2008