For many people hoping to have a brighter smile, professional teeth whitening is a healthy option. In-office visits use bleaching agents to achieve lighter and faster results than over-the-counter treatments. However, this use of more potent agents means patients should consider their current dental history before deciding on professional whitening treatments.

It is important to weigh the options with a dentist. Even if previous dental work or oral complications prevent a patient from professional whitening treatments now, future therapy for progressive discoloration is possible with restorative and preventative care. The primary concern is figuring out which patient can benefit most from whitening treatments and who requires further dental care prior to a bleaching procedure.

Why are whitening procedures recommended for healthy teeth?

While dental whitening is beneficial for many people, dental professionals generally recommend such treatments for patients with permanent, natural teeth and good oral health. A dentist also considers the color of the stains. Professional bleaching treatments can be an excellent option for people with prominent teeth yellowing. However, the American Dental Association advises against whitening treatments for patients with brown or gray discoloration.

Professional teeth whitening treatments use trays customized for patients to help shield the gums from the bleaching chemicals. Healthy gumlines and teeth also have better resilience, so patients generally experience less sensitivity both during and after the procedure. Candidates with good oral hygiene and health are more likely to be recommended for professional bleaching treatments. Other patients may be advised to look into restorative and preventative care before attempting these procedures.

Who may require further dental work for healthy white teeth?

There are several factors to consider before determining the immediate eligibility of a patient for whitening:

  • Gum health
  • Existence of caps, crowns or other restorative dentistry applications
  • Sensitivities and allergies

Patients with gum disease are less likely to fair well with the chemicals used in professional whitening treatments, sometimes experiencing tooth sensitivity and gum irritation. Because of these risks to patients, dentists typically suggest treating the disease first, improving gum health before attempting to reverse discoloration.

For people with existing dental work, like crowns, whitening treatments tend not to be viable options. While bleaching works to whiten yellowish stains on natural teeth, restorative appliances do not brighten in the same way. However, patients with prior dental work can still achieve brighter smiles through other dental procedures, such as bonding or veneers. Both procedures work by applying a substance or material — bonding resin or porcelain — that a dentist then colors to match surrounding teeth or a patient's desired brightness.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Professional Teeth Whitening in Oviedo, FL.

Conclusion

Professional teeth whitening achieves rapid results and is appropriate and healthy for many dental patients. The chemicals can present risks of sensitivity to some patients, primarily those with existing dental health issues, and the treatments may not be effective with replacement teeth. However, whatever the current condition of a patient's mouth, a dental professional can help them develop a bright and healthy smile to be proud of.

Request an appointment or call Everest Dental at 407-588-4388 for an appointment in our Oviedo office.

Related Posts

Ask An Implant Dentist About Replacing A Damaged Tooth

An implant dentist can replace a damaged tooth with a dental implant and dental crown attachment. This offers a long-term and secure hold that can last for more than a decade. This review discusses implant dentistry specifically for the purpose of replacing a damaged tooth.Learning that a damaged tooth needs replacement is disappointing, but the…

Important Information About Root Canal Therapy

A root canal is a procedure that can save severely damaged or decayed teeth, prevent infection, and treat active infections. The process involves removing the pulp in the tooth’s pulp chamber and disinfecting the area. It often takes less than an hour from start to finish.The pulp chamber of a tooth is the central chamber…

An Implant Dentist Shares About The Tooth Replacement Timeline

The tooth replacement process and timeline may vary for each patient based upon the specific steps that are needed to complete the restoration. The best way to determine the timeline for treatment is to visit an implant dentist. However, there is a tentative estimation for how long each step might take, which is discussed in…

Everest Dental

Share
Published by
Everest Dental

Recent Posts

Ask an Implant Dentist About Replacing a Damaged Tooth

An implant dentist can replace a damaged tooth with a dental implant and dental crown…

5 days ago

Important Information About Root Canal Therapy

Root canal therapy enables dentists to save teeth when the pulp has been compromised.

1 week ago

An Implant Dentist Shares About the Tooth Replacement Timeline

The tooth replacement process and timeline may vary for each patient based upon the specific…

2 weeks ago

An Implant Dentist Talks About Good Candidates for This Procedure

You may be a good candidate for an implant dentistry procedure if you are missing…

3 weeks ago

The Clear Aligners Process From A to Z

Clear aligners offer a discreet and convenient alternative to traditional braces, making orthodontic treatment more…

3 weeks ago

Ask an Implant Dentist About Artificial Tooth Roots

Dental implants are often referred to by implant dentists as artificial tooth roots. This is…

4 weeks ago