Vancouver Teeth Whitening Treatments

Everything You Need To Know About Your Vancouver Teeth Whitening Treatment

Everything You Need To Know About Your Vancouver Teeth Whitening Treatment

What is tooth whitening?

At our Vancouver dental clinic, we offer a range of advanced teeth whitening techniques to help you achieve a brighter, more radiant smile. The most popular method we use is called the “in-office” method, which involves applying a powerful bleaching agent to your teeth and using a special light to enhance the whitening process. This technique is particularly effective for people with stubborn stains, such as those caused by tetracycline. Alternatively, we can also provide you with custom-fitted trays that you can use at home to gradually whiten your teeth. However, the best approach for you will depend on several factors, such as the severity of your stains, the presence of fillings or crowns on your front teeth, and the underlying cause of your discoloration. Our experienced dentists will work with you to determine the most suitable option to help you achieve your desired results.

What causes staining of teeth?

There are various reasons why teeth can become discolored, with the most common being the natural aging process, as well as the consumption of certain staining substances like coffee, tea, tobacco, and blueberries. Old fillings in the teeth can also contribute to discoloration. Additionally, during tooth development, excessive consumption of the antibiotic tetracycline or fluoride can cause teeth to become discolored.

Who may benefit from tooth whitening?

Tooth whitening can benefit almost everyone who has healthy teeth, and it is a safe and effective procedure with minimal risks. It can provide numerous benefits, such as a brighter and more youthful smile. However, if you have fillings or crowns on your front teeth, tooth whitening may not be suitable for you.

The Teeth Whitening Process

Is the process safe?

Under the supervision of your Vancouver teeth whitening professionals, whitening is safe and gentle. This dental procedure has been performed for nearly a century and has gained popularity in recent years as yellow teeth are becoming less socially and professionally acceptable. Over the years, procedures have been simplified and shown to be safe. Claims that the bleaching gel will destroy the enamel are not accurate. The process of bleaching has no long-term harmful effects on your teeth or gums.

How long does it take?

In-office bleaching produces immediate results, but two sessions are necessary for maximum whitening. Tray bleaching usually results in noticeable teeth color changes on the first night of bleaching and requires about 7-10 days to complete. For the fastest and longest-lasting results, a combination of in-office and home whitening is recommended.

Are there any side effects?

While undergoing teeth whitening treatment, some individuals may temporarily experience sensitivity to cold. This typically goes away shortly after the treatment is completed. If this sensitivity is bothersome, one can reduce the frequency of tray usage or use a fluoride gel prescribed by a dentist. It is essential to understand that any sensitivity symptoms are temporary and there are no long-term adverse effects associated with teeth whitening.

How long do the results last?

The effects of teeth whitening will last permanently, but the duration may depend on individual habits. Touch-up treatments may be required every 6 months depending on lifestyle choices such as smoking, consumption of tea, coffee, or red wine, which may cause the teeth to stain faster. To maintain white teeth, it is recommended to brush twice a day, clean between teeth daily with floss or interdental cleaners, and have regular professional cleanings and occasional touch-up treatments from your dentist.

Teeth Bleaching

Whitening your teeth through bleaching is a secure and efficient method to enhance your smile. Our dental experts at Downtown Dental in Vancouver are well-versed in various tooth whitening systems, including laser technology. We handle numerous whitening procedures each month, and we have noticed that the Deep Bleaching™ system offers the most noticeable and remarkable results.

The Procedure

Getting white teeth cannot be achieved overnight, and there are no shortcuts to guarantee results. Deep Bleaching™ is a teeth whitening process that combines in-office bleaching with take-home trays. The first step is a 30-minute conditioning appointment at the dental office, followed by two weeks of using the take-home trays. Finally, a 1-hour in-office boost procedure is done to achieve the whitest smile possible. This combination process ensures long-lasting results through the use of trays. However, if you only want a slight whitening, using only the Take-Home Trays is suggested. The 1-hour in-office laser bleaching procedure is no longer offered due to unpredictable results and cost.

Side Effects

The Deep Bleaching™ technique is an advanced and safe teeth whitening method that utilizes a special formula. This formula releases calcium ions that aid in the re-mineralization of teeth during the whitening process. It is designed to minimize sensitivity and contains water. Nevertheless, some people may experience mild sensitivity for the initial 24 hours after the procedure, which can be alleviated with the use of Advil or Motrin.

How did my teeth get so yellow?

Over the years, like almost everyone, you’ve experienced a natural buildup of organic pigments on your teeth. Colorized proteins from coffee, tea, and other foods have simply darkened the natural whiteness of your teeth. The use of tobacco, antibiotics, and certain minerals usually speeds the darkening process. But, yellowing can be easily reversed.

What’s the difference between dentist-supervised and over-the counter treatments?

Each person’s teeth and dental condition are unique, so it’s important to have a dentist evaluate and supervise your teeth whitening treatment to ensure its safety. Custom trays created by a dentist will fit better and prevent excess bleaching gel from escaping compared to over-the-counter one-size-fits-all treatments.

Teeth Whitening Tips

General Tips From Your Vancouver Teeth Whitening Professionals

For sensitive teeth avoid foods with citric acid. If sensitivity persists:

Have patient call office immediately.
Prescribe fluoride for alternate nights.
Purple tray after bleaching session indicates presence of zinc in fillings.
Keep bleach refrigerated (store standard bottles upside-down).
Do not smoke, eat or drink with tray in place.
Pregnant women should only bleach with the agreement of their physicians.
Bleach upper arch first.
Wait two weeks before doing crowns or fillings.

Key Benefits of bleaching

Corrects browns, yellow and mottle tooth staining

  • Works on people of any age.
  • Is a near permanent solution for a “dull” smile, restoring brightness and brings a smile alive.

How did my teeth get so yellow?

Over the years, like almost everyone, you’ve experienced a natural buildup of organic pigments on your teeth. Colorized proteins from coffee, tea, and other foods have simply darkened the natural whiteness of your teeth. The use of tobacco, antibiotics, and certain minerals usually speeds the darkening process. But, yellowing can be easily reversed.

What’s the difference between dentist-supervised and over-the counter treatments?

Each person’s teeth and dental condition are unique, so it’s important to have a dentist evaluate and supervise your teeth whitening treatment to ensure its safety. Custom trays created by a dentist will fit better and prevent excess bleaching gel from escaping compared to over-the-counter one-size-fits-all treatments.

teeth whitening

Teeth Whitening

If your teeth are stained or discolored due to lifestyle factors, development problems, age or other reasons teeth whitening may be the perfect solution. You have the choice between home bleaching and in surgery bleaching. The results varies from patient to patient depending on the condition and underlying shade of the teeth. However, they can offer a very aesthetic result with minimum side effects. A proper assessment by the dentist is important.

A: Tooth whitening is a process where the natural color of the tooth is lightened by the use of an oxidizing or bleaching agent. The bleaching agent is either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.

A: The bleaching agent penetrates the porosities in the rod like structure of the tooth enamel and oxidizes the stain deposits between the prisms. With time, the bleach progresses to the dentine layer under the enamel and bleaches this in the same way. Dentine is dark in color and is continually deposited during the life of the tooth, which is why teeth get darker with age. It is therefore essential that the bleaching agent penetrates to the dentine to obtain maximum lightening effect and this is why many dentists prefer the slower home bleaching and also why it gives a more stable result.

A: There are two methods of bleaching – home bleaching and in surgery bleaching.

Home Bleaching
The whitening product is applied to the teeth using a specially made tray, which fits into the mouth like a very thin gum shield. You will need an appointment with the dentist to take impressions to fabricate the custom “slips” and then you will carry out the remaining treatment at home. This entails regular applications of the bleach product to the teeth by inserting the filled slips for a period of approximately 45 minutes every day until the desired shade is achieved.

In Surgery Bleaching
The effect of the bleaching product is accelerated with an energy source. The soft tissues around the teeth are protected by the application of a rubber coating and the bleaching gel is then applied directly to the teeth. A light activation system is then used to accelerate the whitening process for approx. 10 minutes after which the bleaching gel is removed and the process repeated until the desired shade is achieved.

A combination of the two procedures is often recommended to achieve a more pronounced, longer lasting effect. Bleaching with a home kit prior to in surgery bleaching allows more penetration of the bleaching gel and therefore deeper bleaching and brighter color. Bleaching with a home kit after in surgery bleaching helps to stabilize the color change achieved. It should be noted that penetration of the dentine by the bleaching gel is necessary to effect a stable color change and as the dentine tubules are in communication with the pulp chamber of the tooth which contains nerve tissue, there will always be some sensitivity experienced. For people with sensitive teeth most dentists recommend the gentler home bleaching technique.

A: Treatment results may vary depending on the original shade of the teeth. Teeth will tend to darken slightly over time but the bleaching can be repeated. The effect lasts for around 1 to 3 years, although sometimes it can last longer but the whiter shades are not stable and require constant refreshing. As mentioned above, some people find that their teeth are sensitive for the first few days after treatment but this wears off after just a short while.

A: Whitening can only lighten your existing tooth color- for a change to a specific chosen shade veneering is another option. Whitening also only works on natural teeth. It will not work on any type of false teeth. This includes dentures, crowns and veneers. If you have crowns, veneers or tooth colored fillings present these may need replacing following bleaching to achieve an aesthetic color match to your newly whitened teeth. A period of two weeks without bleaching should be left before any color matching for crowns or veneers takes place.

If a tooth has been root canal treated, the canal, which previously contained the nerve, will be re-opened and the whitening product inserted and sealed in place. The procedure is repeated on a weekly basis until the desired shade is achieved and then a permanent filling is placed in the back of the tooth.

Some teeth that have received trauma in the form of a bang become “internalized” and appear darker than the rest of the dentition. This color change is due to over-development of the dentine as a reaction to the trauma and eventually the root canal system is obliterated. It is not possible to bleach these teeth by any means and in this situation a veneer is necessary.

Some teeth are affected by systemic drugs such as tetracycline and are more difficult to bleach and may require veneers.

Different colors react differently to bleaching. Yellow shades respond better than grey shades.

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