Dr. Keith Boenning and Dr. Nathan Dancykier offer teeth whitening in Towson, MD. Teeth whitening is often the last step of a complete smile makeover. Cosmetic dental care completes patients’ journeys in oral health and improves the aesthetics of their smiles. Patients who receive teeth whitening treatment are often more motivated to maintain their smiles.
Brightening your smile can motivate you to take extra care in your oral health routine and schedule dental appointments. Our routine examinations and dental cleanings are preventative treatments against common dental problems. Teeth whitening treatment is often a motivating factor in oral health maintenance.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Stained and yellow teeth are common and can be caused by many things. The most common causes of discolored teeth include:
- Foods and beverages: Coffee, tea, red wine, and berries contain chromogens, which are dark pigments that can stain your tooth enamel.
- Tobacco: Nicotine and tar, common ingredients in cigarettes and other tobacco products, turn teeth yellow and stain the teeth.
- Age: As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel erodes over time. The dark underlayer beneath the enamel, dentin, shows through and makes teeth appear discolored.
- Medication: Antipsychotics, antihistamines, blood pressure medication, and other prescription drugs can discolor teeth as a side effect.
- Trauma: If you have sustained a mouth injury and damaged a tooth, this can cause intrinsic staining or staining that affects the inside of the tooth.
- Fluoride: An overexposure to fluoride can discolor the tooth enamel.
Types of Tooth Whitening
Vital and non-vital teeth whitening treatments are used on teeth with and without live nerves. We offer both of these treatment options to our patients for their convenience.
Vital Whitening
Vital whitening is a tooth whitening treatment performed on teeth with live nerves that have not been removed due to infection. We offer an in-office bleaching treatment that is safer and more effective than any store bought whitening treatment or product.
Your dentist will perform the in-office teeth whitening procedure at our dentist office. After covering up your teeth and gums for protection, they will apply the bleaching gel to your teeth. Then they activate the bleaching agent with laser light. The entire procedure usually takes about an hour, and patients can see immediate results.
This process may be repeated over half an hour or up to 90 minutes. Whitening requires multiple sessions, and the length of your treatment depends on the staining of your teeth. In-office whitening treatment can brighten the shade of your tooth enamel by multiple shades.
Non-Vital Whitening
Non-vital whitening procedures are used for teeth with dead nerves. This means that the tooth has undergone root canal therapy and no longer has nerves in the middle chamber. Infected pulp and nerves are removed from the teeth during a root canal. To whiten these teeth, we can place bleaching gel inside the tooth and cover it with a temporary filling.
This process may be repeated several times for the best results. Not all stains respond well to teeth whitening. If this is the case for your teeth, we may recommend dental bonding or porcelain veneers, which cover and brighten tooth enamel.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is an affordable cosmetic treatment that can fix minor chips as well as dull, yellow, or stained teeth. Teeth that do not respond to professional teeth bleaching methods can use dental bonding to whitening their teeth. This cosmetic dental procedure involves using a tooth-colored resin that is applied directly to the tooth. Your dentist will shape it by hand and cure the material. By using a lighter color of resin, this will make the tooth appear whiter. To learn more about the tooth bonding process, see Teeth Bonding.
Porcelain Veneers
A porcelain veneers is a thin, custom made shell that is made from porcelain. Your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and a dental lab will create them to fit perfectly over your teeth. Each veneer is bonded to the front surface of the tooth. They can whiten teeth by covering the stains and discolorations. We can customize each veneers to create the desired shape and shade. This will create a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution that will brighten your smile. To learn more about the porcelain veneer process, see Porcelain Veneers.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Learn everything you need to know about professional teeth whitening. Continue reading through our frequently asked questions section to find out more. If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to our helpful office staff.
How long does dentist teeth whitening last?
When a dental team with skill and experience performs in-office professional whitening, you can expect the results to last from six months to two years. At-home whitening kits may not offer the same level of white as professional services. However, you can use them after in-office whitening regularly to maintain the final results even longer.
Can I get teeth whitening with cavities?
You should have your cavities filled before undergoing professional teeth bleaching services. During an evaluation with our team, you can determine if cavities have developed and take care of them before considering this and other cosmetic dentistry treatments available.
How do I prepare for teeth whitening?
There are a few ways you can prepare for your upcoming professional in-office teeth whitening appointment. Prior to visiting, you may need to schedule a dental checkup. This allows the dentist to perform a dental examination. The dental hygienists will also perform a deep cleaning of the teeth before the whitening process begins. Removal of plaque and tartar from the surfaces of the teeth can ensure the whitening product works to provide optimum results.
Will a teeth whitening treatment remove stains from my teeth?
In-office power bleaching can remove deep stains from within natural teeth enamel. In most situations, our patients will find their smiles whitened up to eight shades whiter after a single treatment session. Teeth with dental restorations will not affect the whitening process, but replacing them can finish the final look for those serious about maintaining their whiter smile.
How long does a teeth whitening procedure at the dentist take?
The dentist or dental hygienist will thoroughly clean before your in-office whitening treatment to ensure the best possible results. The process from start to finish will take approximately two hours to complete and is all done right in the dentist’s chair while you relax!
What should I avoid after teeth whitening?
You should avoid foods and beverages that stain the teeth, including red wine, coffee, tea, and sodas with a dark color. Avoiding these foods and beverages will help to maintain the whitening results. Daily brushing and flossing can also help keep teeth looking their best, and using in-home whitening products regularly keeps the smile brilliant and beautiful!
Is professional teeth whitening safe?
Professional teeth whitening is safer and more effective than over the counter whitening treatments. You will receive treatment under the supervision of a dentist or dental professional. They will take the appropriate steps to make sure your gums are protected and the bleaching agent is applied correctly. This minimizes risks of side effects.
Book a Consultation for Teeth Whitening in Towson, MD
Do you want to brighten yellowed, stained, and discolored teeth? Dr. Boenning and Dr. Dancykier serve patients in Towson and Timonium, Maryland. Call 410.324.2294 for cosmetic whitening treatment today. Request an appointment with Dr. Boenning and Dr. Dancykier on our website.