Wednesday, November 20, 2013



Teeth Whitening
Transform your smile... Whiten your teeth at Lotus Dental Care, Glendale Heights, Il 60139 in Dupage county. Do you prefer to whiten your teeth in a day over a few hours or you rather have them whitened at home over a period of 3 - 4 days or over a weekend? We, at Lotus Dental Care provide customized teeth whitening solutions for your specific needs. Over the counter whitening strips and toothpastes are ineffective and do not really provide the fantastic results that are achieved by in - office whitening systems. What is teeth whitening and what type of whitening is best for me? Teeth whitening is a procedure that whitens the enamel and dentin that is discoloured and dark. You can choose from several options if you desire that dazzling white smile.

What causes tooth discolouration?

Many day to day factors can cause slow discolouration of the teeth. Aging, root canal treated teeth, wine, soda, tobacco, coffee, berries, food colorants, mustard, excessive fluoride intake or certain medicaments during the growing phases , certain mouthwashes etc may cause your teeth to darken over a period of time. In office teeth whitening  is the solution for most moderately stained teeth. Come visit our dental office in Glendale Heights to achieve a brighter and whiter smile and it is sure to add to your self - confidence.
 
In Office whitening-

Benefits:

  • Offers a brighter, whiter smile after just one appointment.
  • Dentist-supervised, in-office procedure is fast and effective. In office whitening products contains potassium nitrate which helps decrease sensitivity associated with bleaching.
Your dental professional may prescribe a take-home whitening product to use at-home afterwards to maximize your results.

How long does teeth whitening last?

Though not a permanent solution, teeth whitening is very effective with results that can last for years. Depending on your personal habits, touch-up kits can be used every 6–12 months to enhance and maintain whitening results. What are the advantages of whitening your teeth? People typically have their teeth whitened to improve their appearance. When people have a brighter smile, they tend to smile more often .

Is teeth whitening safe?

Yes, research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. As with any tooth whitening product, in office whitening is not recommended for children under 13 years of age and pregnant or lactating women

Is teeth whitening painful?

No, it is not painful, however some patients experience temporary sensitivity for 1-3 days after the procedure. It is transient and disappears in a few days.

How much time does the entire procedure take?

The procedure takes an hour after the preparatory phase is  completed. Ideally, a regular cleaning should be done, and any existing cavities should be filled prior to the procedure for optimum results.

What is the difference between take home whitening kit and in-office procedure?

Take home whitening gels are delivered to your teeth via custom bleaching trays that are made in the office by us which precisely fit and bleach your teeth. The gel available in different strengths and flavours and and can be applied to the trays that can be worn either in the day or at night for 6- 8 hours. Ask us for detailed instructions and product reviews.

Which teeth can I whiten?

You can choose to whiten either your front teeth ( six upper and six lower teeth ) or all your teeth. Whitening cannot change the colour of crowns, veneers and denture teeth. So, any such procedure should be completed prior to whitening , so that the veneers or crowns do not appear yellow after your teeth are whitened.

Touch -ups

All teeth do not whiten uniformly. Some times we can suggest a take -home whitening kit following an in -office session to get better results or if some teeth are rotated or crowded, a touch -up whitening pen can be used to whiten that rotated tooth, so that it matches perfectly with the other teeth.

Contraindications of teeth whitening:

  1. Pregnant or nursing women.
  2. Braces
  3. Moderate to severe gum disease that causes gum swelling, bleeding.
  4. Certain intrinsic dark stains due to medications.
  5. Whitening is not a substitute for regular prophylaxis ( teeth cleaning).

Post- whitening instructions

The next 48 hours are very important to enhance and maximise your whitening results for a bright and long lasting white smile. For the next 2 days, avoid potential staining substances such as:
  • Tea, and /or coffee.
  • Wine
  • Tobacco
  • Mustard and ketchup
  • Soy sauce
  • Berries, Pies
  • Soda, food with dark colouring agents
  • If it stains your clothes, it will stain your teeth
Over the counter pain medicines can be taken if there is too much sensitivity. But remember, sensitivity is temporary, and will soon fade away. Additional ways to maintain your sparkling  White Smile:
  • Avoid potential staining habits.
  • Practice good oral hygiene, with correct brushing techniques along with flossing daily.
  • If you are given additional take home whitening kits, then you may apply it when the sensitivity has subsided.
For any questions about teeth whitening , you may call our Glendale Heights dental  office at 630-793-9480 and we will be happy to help you out.