Teeth whitening can provide a dramatic difference in a short amount of time.
Causes of Teeth Discoloration
Patients in San Francisco and Embarcadero who have discolored teeth don’t have anything to worry about. However, most patients understand the advantages of having shiny white teeth, which include looking more professional in the job market, enhancing one’s self-esteem, confidence, and more. Over time, teeth can become discolored for many reasons, including the following:
Can All Tooth Stains Be Treated With Teeth Whitening?
Intrinsic and extrinsic stains are the two categories of tooth stains. Extrinsic tooth stains occur on the outer surface of the tooth. Intrinsic tooth stains occur inside the tooth. Teeth whitening is much more effective on extrinsic tooth stains since the discoloration occurs on the outer layer of the tooth. Intrinsic tooth stains often will require alternative methods to whiten the teeth.
Options Available For Teeth Whitening
When patients meet with Dr. Skoulas, they will be presented with two teeth whitening options to choose from: in-office treatments or take-home treatments. These options are based on the severity of the teeth discoloration, the patient’s oral history, the timeframe desired for results, and more.
Dr. Skoulas typically recommends the in-office teeth whitening treatment because of its effectiveness. Its benefits include:
- Lightening the teeth by up to two shades
- One treatment will take roughly one hour
- Results will be immediate
Some patients opt for take-home teeth whitening because of teeth sensitivity or not having enough tooth enamel. By choosing the take-home option, patients will:
- Be provided with dental trays and a bleaching material to use at home
- Have to wear the trays daily for 20-30 minutes and for one-to-three months
- See more gradual whitening and can stop treatments when desired results are achieved