Are yellow teeth making you feel less confident? Do you have tooth stains that make your smile look bad? One of the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures in Knoxville, TX is teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is often done for special events such as weddings, graduations, and job interviews. This relatively inexpensive procedure delivers noticeable results in a short period of time.
Professional teeth whitening is an excellent option for practically anyone who wants to improve the appearance of their smile. We often combine cosmetic and restorative dental procedures with teeth whitening services for optimal results. Dr. Pamela Cain offers in-office teeth whitening in Knoxville, TN.
Removing stains and discoloration has never been easier with our effective teeth whitening options. Our office uses Sinsational Smile teeth whitening for exceptional results. Additionally, teeth whitening is a safe and effective way to brighten your smile. It can remove years of stains and discoloration.
Performed in the office, the Sinsational Smile process includes a comfortable silicone bleaching tray that is used in conjunction with a special laser to whiten your teeth while you relax. This professional system and its products have been shown to cause minimal to no sensitivity due to the bleaching process.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
There are many different factors that can contribute to the color of your teeth. First is genetics. Your lifestyle habits and age don’t really play a part in tooth discoloration of this type. Some of us are just more predisposed to have whiter teeth than others.
Tooth discoloration also happens to everyone as they age. The bright white enamel layer on the outside of our teeth slowly becomes thinner throughout age and years of use. This exposes the off-white dentin layer underneath, contributing to that discoloration.
Your lifestyle and eating habits can play a part as well. If you smoke or consistently drink beverages like tea or coffee, you will see the results of that in your smile. Both of these things are hard on teeth and impact their color. Certain medications can cause staining on your teeth as well. The more that you consume these various things, the larger the impact they have on your smile.
Trauma and injury always have a big impact on our bodies, no matter where it is. This includes your teeth. If something hits you in the mouth when you don’t have protection, you risk something happening to your tooth. A “dead” tooth occurs when the pulp in the center of your tooth dies. Blood flow stops in the area, changing the color of the tooth. You may notice that this tooth turns a grayish color.
The Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
Our Knoxville teeth whitening solutions are far superior to the over-the-counter treatments sold at drug stores. Professional whitening is safe and effective. The store-bought options are a “one size fits all” solution. Manufacturers do not design bleaching and whitening strips or trays to fit the patient’s teeth comfortably and precisely. Ill-fitting trays or strips can cause inconsistent bleaching, gum irritation, and damage to your tooth enamel.
Store-bought whitening options aren’t always the most consistent, either. Since they don’t fit custom to your teeth, it can be difficult to ensure consistent, even results. The treatment may appear blotchy and uneven on your teeth. Some parts may be darker or lighter than others. Once this is done, it’s incredibly difficult to try and correct those problem areas.
Alternatives to Tooth Whitening Kits
As mentioned above, there are many factors that contribute to tooth discoloration. Sometimes, those external factors cause issues that home whitening kits can not fix. For example, deep white spots on teeth are sometimes not responsive to teeth whitening kits. For issues like these, we recommend alternative treatments.
These treatments can include:
- Dental Crowns: If your tooth discoloration is due to decay, we can repair and protect your tooth with a crown. A crown covers the top and sides of a tooth.
- Tooth Bonding: This treatment is an economical alternative for teeth whitening. Perfect if you have a single troubled tooth or just a few yellow teeth. You can avoid getting a complete teeth whitening system if you have issues with just one or two teeth.
- Porcelain Veneers: A dental veneer can also help fix a single discolored tooth. We place a thin shell over the front of a tooth to cover the imperfection. Although not as economical as tooth bonding, it can still be an effective alternative.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Read answers to common questions about teeth whitening in our Knoxville, TN, dentist office:
How does your in-office procedure work?
We will first place a protective covering on the lips and gums for our in-office procedure. The dentist places the Sinsational Smiles bleaching tray over the teeth. We use a special light to activate the bleaching gel, which then lifts the stains. The entire procedure takes about an hour and, in some cases, can brighten teeth by multiple shades.
Do you have a take-home alternative?
We do! With this option, we create a set of trays and send them home with you, along with a bleaching gel. At home, you will fill the trays with gel and wear them daily for the amount of time we recommend, typically between one and two hours. The treatment can take about a week or up to 10 days.
What can I do to keep my smile bright?
You can keep the tray and gel for touch-ups down the road. However, to keep your smile bright, you must also floss each night and brush your teeth twice daily. We also suggest seeing us for a routine dental cleaning every six months.
Should I avoid certain foods and drinks?
After you whiten your teeth, avoid drinks with dark pigments like coffee, tea, soda, and red wine. You can also avoid foods high in sugar because they can promote plaque buildup. Please contact our office if you have questions about preventing or removing tooth stains.
How soon after teeth whitening can I eat or drink?
After teeth whitening, it’s best to wait at least 30 minutes to an hour before eating or drinking anything. Your teeth are more sensitive right after whitening because the pores in the enamel are temporarily more open. If you eat or drink too soon, stains can soak into your teeth more easily and undo some of the whitening.
How long do the results of tooth whitening last?
This can vary based on the patient. Usually, professional whitening can last anywhere from six months to two years. This depends both on how well your teeth respond to whitening treatment and your lifestyle habits. If you’re a heavy smoker, the whitening results will last a much shorter time than those of other patients.
Am I a good candidate for tooth whitening treatment?
As with any dental service, we’ll do a consultation with you first. Some tooth discoloration doesn’t respond to traditional whitening procedures. If this is the case, we’ll help you with other alternatives that’ll give you the bright white smile you’re looking for.
Is professional teeth whitening safe for people with sensitive teeth?
Yes, but you may need some extra precautions. The whitening process can sometimes make teeth feel more sensitive for a short time, especially if your teeth are already prone to sensitivity.
Dr. Cain may recommend a lower-strength whitening gel or apply a desensitizing treatment before or after the procedure. He might also recommend take-home whitening. This treatment whitens your teeth gradually instead of all at once.
Schedule A Tooth Whitening Appointment Today
Find out how to get a whiter and brighter smile in just a few weeks. Contact us to request an appointment for teeth whitening in Knoxville, TN with Dr. Pamela Cain. She is a general, cosmetic, and restorative dentist serving patients in the Knoxville, TN, area. We welcome new patients of all ages and surrounding communities.
Call our dental care team to schedule your visit to our Knoxville dentist office, or you can request an appointment online.
