Enjoy a Dazzling Smile with Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one of the most popular elective dental procedures. In part, this is because whitening is affordable and involves minimal discomfort. Perhaps more importantly, the treatment is highly effective and can dramatically enhance your smile. When you choose professional laser teeth whitening at our Knoxville practice, your smile could be six to eight shades lighter after just one hour. This simple treatment is safer and far more effective than store-bought whitening products. To find out more about laser teeth whitening and to learn whether tooth whitening is right for you, contact Dr. Stephen K. Malone today.
Watch our Teeth Whitening Video
What Causes Dental Stains?
Dental discoloration can result from smoking, medications, genetics, and environmental factors. Most frequently, however, stains occur because of certain foods and drinks. Dark-colored substances contain pigmented chromogens that will adhere to your dental enamel. Red wine, coffee, tea, berries, and tomato sauce are among the most notorious causes of discoloration. Additionally, highly acidic foods can exacerbate this process. Acid will erode your enamel, and the off-white layer of dentin will start to show through. Dentin is also more porous than enamel. Therefore, the stain-producing molecules will form a stronger bond with your teeth.
In some cases, you may suffer from intrinsic stains. This type of discoloration is located inside your teeth, and it often results from certain medications. Traditional whitening cannot reduce this type of discoloration. However, Dr. Malone may recommend an alternative treatment, such as bonding or porcelain or composite veneers.
Laser Teeth Whitening
Laser teeth whitening at our Knoxville office offers incredibly dramatic results. If you choose this method, Dr. Malone or his hygienist will apply whitening gel to your smile. He will carefully isolate your teeth to avoid irritating your sensitive gum tissue. Then, he will shine a powerful laser on your teeth. The light will activate the gel, allowing it to lighten your smile by six to eight shades in just 30 minutes. You will leave the office with a dramatically improved smile. In most cases, your teeth will continue to improve for the first few days after your treatment. Dr. Malone can also provide take-home whitening trays to help you maintain your whiter smile.
At-Home Teeth Whitening
If you would like to do at-home whitening, Dr. Malone recommends that you allow him to supply a set of custom whitening trays, made from impressions of your teeth. You will fill the trays with whitening gel and wear them for a prescribed number of hours, usually 1 to 2 hours a day, over a period of a few days. Custom trays are more effective and comfortable than those supplied in over-the-counter whitening kits.
At-home tooth whitening is possible even for individuals with sensitive teeth so don’t hold back from tooth whitening out of concern about tooth sensitivity. Dr. Malone will answer all of your questions and address your concerns with the appropriate whitening gel and instructions.
Achieve a Dazzling Smile
Teeth whitening can transform your smile and give your self-confidence a huge boost. Contact our office today to learn more about teeth whitening. We proudly provide whitening and other cosmetic procedures to patients from Powell, Karns, Farragut, Seymour, Maryville, Oak Ridge and the surrounding communities.
For a textbook definition of teeth whitening, read this article
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