Is Professional Teeth Whitening right for Me?

Serving areas of Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing, MI

Teeth whitening is the most frequently performed procedure in cosmetic dentistry, and for a good reason. A teeth whitening treatment changes the brightness of all your teeth at once, producing a dramatic and immediate difference in the appearance of your smile. Your Okemos cosmetic dentist at Tenaglia Smiles wants to make sure you are informed about teeth whitening. So, if you’ve ever wondered if teeth whitening will work for your teeth,

What can teeth whitening do for you?

A whitening treatment removes stains or other types of discoloration from the surfaces of your teeth. There are two types of stains that develop on teeth: extrinsic and intrinsic. An extrinsic stain, also known as a surface stain, occurs when discoloring agents in the foods and drinks you consume accumulate on the outer layer of your tooth structure. Intrinsic stains, however, develop inside your tooth—forming either because of the deterioration of your tooth enamel due to age or trauma or as a side effect of using certain prescription medications. Typically, a whitening treatment is more effective in removing extrinsic stains than intrinsic stains. To treat intrinsic stains, Dr. Tenaglia may recommend porcelain veneers to provide the best results.

Are you a candidate for teeth whitening?

At Tenaglia Smiles, the first step in determining if you are a candidate for teeth whitening is to schedule a consultation. Assuming the stains on your teeth are extrinsic, the following criteria will determine whether you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening.

Condition of your teeth and gums – You should be in good oral health to have any cosmetic dental work done. Tooth decay, gum disease, weakened tooth enamel, or existing restorations that are flawed or failing may not provide you with the best results from your teeth whitening treatment.

Existing tooth sensitivity – Although store-bought whitening kits are much more likely to cause enhanced sensitivity in your teeth, a dental whitening treatment also may cause additional sensitivity. If you already are having issues with sensitive teeth, though, then talk to Dr. Tenaglia about the best options for you to achieve your smile goals.

Existing dental restorations – Do you have crowns or fillings? What about a dental bridge? These are all tried-and-true treatments in restorative dentistry to repair damaged teeth or replace lost teeth, but they also will not change their shade when exposed to the active bleaching agent in whitening procedures.

The best way to know if professional teeth whitening is right for is you is to schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist.

Get whiter teeth in Okemos

Tenaglia Smiles offers several different ways to whiten your teeth. Our procedures use bleaching agents that are more powerful than the ones in any store-bought product. Our ZOOM! whitening treatment provides the most outstanding results, and patients appreciate how long their results last.

If you would like to see if teeth whitening is for you, or if you are looking for teeth whitening treatment that provides the best results, contact Tenaglia Smiles by calling (517) 347-6733. Tenaglia Smiles welcomes patients of Okemos, Lansing, and East Lansing.