Tooth whitening, or tooth bleaching as it is sometimes referred to, is a dental procedure, generally performed by a cosmetic dentist. Everyone wants that white tooth, bright smile, and those in sales, acting and other fields feel they need to have clean, white teeth for that edge in their career. Dr. Michael L. Connolly specializes in tooth whitening Chicago, IL
Everyone begins life with white teeth. It is a general process of aging, and the intake of our foods and drinks, that changes the color of our teeth. Coffee and smoking come to mind as the most detrimental of tooth darkening activities, but many other foods and drinks, do as well, help to darken our teeth. Our teeth actually become porous as we age and the darkening and tooth staining products can actually get into the surface of our teeth.
A good cosmetic dentist will have two methods of whitening teeth at their disposal. One works by applying an oxidizing agent to the teeth. Generally a highly concentrated agent will be applied onto the teeth for a short time. Sometimes this method will burn some of the soft tissue of the gums and is generally used when quick results are required. Often a light cured gel, (carbamide peroxide), which is carefully painted onto the teeth will be used. The agent breaks down in the mouth into harmless hydrogen peroxide.
The other method involvs a mouth brace, or mouth guard, which allows for a whitening agent to be applied directly to the teeth, and held in place for up to several hours at a time. This tooth whitening method is generally repeated on a daily basis for a period days or weeks. It is important to know how much whitening is needed, and the number of days the procedure is repeated is carefully determined by your cosmetic dentist. This is the safer method and generally results in no gum damage at all.
It is important to note that tooth whitening is a temporary process and, although you will have whiter teeth this is only a temporary process and your teeth will stain and darken again over time. If you take very good care, your teeth will remain white for quite some time.
As well, not all stains respond to whitening. Your cosmetic dentist should be able to determine the effectiveness of this procedure on your smile. Please contact our office for more information on tooth whitening and our advanced cosmetic dentistry.
Dr. Connolly also works with a one hour ZOOM® whitening treatment. This treatment was featured on TV's ABC's Extreme and can quickly brighten your smile several shades. Doctor Connolly offers tooth whitening at his Chicago, IL office.
For more information or to schedule a tooth whitening Chicago, IL consultation, please fill out the form below.
Michael L. Connolly, DDS
6200 North Hiawatha Ave.
Chicago, IL 60646
773.286.9700
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