People who have stained or discolored teeth may choose laser teeth whitening to help brighten their smile. There are many ways that teeth can get stained, and not all of them are related to what one eats or drinks. Although there are various teeth whitening methods, not all of them work for stains that affect the deeper parts of the teeth. Laser teeth whitening uses a stronger whitening agent, so it is a good option for stains that are harder to get rid of.
Types of teeth stains
Stains can affect the surface layer of the teeth or the inside layer of the teeth. Although over-the-counter whitening solutions are often effective for surface stains, they are unable to remove deeper stains.
Extrinsic
Extrinsic stains refer to the ones that discolor the surface of teeth. Foods and beverages, including coffee, red wine, dark berries, tea, cola, and dark-colored sauces, are a common cause of stains. Stains can be minimized by swishing the mouth with water after consuming these or drinking beverages through a straw.
Prescription iron supplements can cause surface stains on the teeth. So can chlorohexidine, which is an ingredient found in mouthwashes that are prescribed to treat gum disease. Although it kills the bacteria, it does make the teeth more susceptible to staining foods and drinks.
Smoking is another common cause of teeth stains. Nicotine causes surface stains, but it can also get through the enamel, causing deeper stains.
Intrinsic
Intrinsic stains occur on the inside of the teeth, and laser teeth whitening is often the only way to remove them. These stains may be caused by trauma, age, and medical treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy. Certain medications, such as antibiotics, high blood pressure meds, antipsychotic drugs, and antihistamines, are factors in intrinsic stains. Stains can also occur if there is an overuse of fluoride.
How laser teeth whitening works
The dental professional performs a consultation and oral examination before deciding that this whitening method will help reach the patient's goals. Before the procedure, the dentist may recommend a professional cleaning before the process if it has been a while since the last cleaning.
To start the procedure, a guard will be placed in the patient's mouth to keep it open. A protective substance is placed on the gums to make sure they do not get irritated or burned from the whitening gel. Once that hardens into a rubber-like consistency, the dentist applies the bleaching gel to the teeth. With laser teeth whitening, the heat of the laser activates the gel to help it penetrate the enamel.
After about 10 to 15 minutes, the gel is removed. This process is repeated a couple more times to reach the desired shade. Once it is completed, the protective layer is removed and the mouth is rinsed. The entire session lasts around an hour.
Conclusion
For tough stains, laser teeth whitening is recommended over other methods because it helps reach the deeper stains. Results last longer, especially if the patient avoids things that increase the propensity for staining.
Request an appointment or call Encino Cosmetic & Dental Implants at 818-578-2333 for an appointment in our Encino office.
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FAQs
Conclusion. For tough stains, laser teeth whitening is recommended over other methods because it helps reach the deeper stains. Results last longer, especially if the patient avoids things that increase the propensity for staining.
Can deeply stained teeth be whitened? ›
Professional whitening works best on surface (extrinsic) stains. But some whitening products can remove deep dental (intrinsic) stains, too. In-office bleaching takes about one hour to complete. Most take-home whitening treatments require 30- to 60-minute daily treatments for up to six weeks.
How do you remove deep embedded teeth stains? ›
Talk to your dentist about professional in-office whitening to remove deep stains from your teeth. Not only can your dentist use much stronger products than you can use at home, they also have access to technology like laser whitening to give you rapid and dramatic results.
Does laser teeth whitening remove stains? ›
During a laser teeth whitening treatment, a gel is applied to your teeth and then exposed to a powerful blue light. This light activates the gel and breaks down any stains or discoloration on your teeth.
Can surface stains on teeth be removed? ›
Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains are caused by external sources, such as food and drinks, tobacco use, and poor dental hygiene. They occur on the surface of your teeth and can usually be removed with professional cleaning or teeth whitening methods.
What teeth stains Cannot be removed? ›
Intrinsic stains occur on the internal surface of the tooth and cannot be removed by self-care methods. Exogenous stains originate from sources outside of the tooth and may be extrinsic or intrinsic.
Can older stained teeth be whitened? ›
But many people wonder whether it's still possible to get their teeth whitened after they've built up decades of stains. Fortunately, there is no age limit for teeth whitening.
Does hydrogen peroxide remove deep stains on teeth? ›
A simple hydrogen peroxide mouthwash may help remove mild stains. However, a person should avoid leaving hydrogen peroxide solutions on their teeth for extended periods. For people who have darker stains, stronger whitening options are available both over the counter and from a dentist.
Can you remove deep yellow stains from teeth? ›
Professional Dental Teeth Whitening Services
Unlike over-the-counter whitening products, which may provide modest improvements over extended use, professional treatments are designed to tackle deep-set stains and discoloration, transforming yellowed teeth into a vibrant, white smile in a shorter period of time.
What stains the deep grooves of teeth? ›
These grooves can be almost impossible to reach with tooth brush bristles and thus can not be kept totally clean. They can then become discolored as they trap stains or as they trap plaque that causes underlying cavities. If the discoloration is caused only by stains, no intervention is necessary.
This can make your teeth look brighter and whiter. Compared with at-home treatments like whitening strips, laser teeth bleaching is more effective. However, it's more expensive and isn't covered by dental insurance. The procedure can also cause side effects like increased tooth sensitivity, erosion, and decay.
What is better, laser or gel teeth whitening? ›
Laser whitening guarantees greater protection from tooth sensitivity than zoom whitening. However, it is also more expensive and may take longer than zoom whitening. On the one hand, Zoom whitening can protect your mouth from excess heat, reducing gum irritation and enamel or pulp damage.
Which is better, laser teeth whitening or bleaching? ›
Laser whitening will usually require only two to four treatments for the best results. You will see the results right away. The results are also somewhat better than bleaching trays.
How do dentists remove surface stains? ›
Stain removal can be achieved during a routine hygiene appointment where the teeth are cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler and hand instruments to remove plaque deposits. The teeth are then polished with either conventional prophy polish or 'Air-flow'.
What vitamin deficiency causes teeth discoloration? ›
Tooth discoloration from vitamin deficiency often occurs in people who don't get enough vitamin D. Without exposure to sunlight or other sources of this vitamin, the dentin that forms the core of the teeth cannot fully regenerate and build new layers.
How to get rid of brown stains in between teeth? ›
Over-the-counter teeth whitening products, such as whitening toothpaste or strips, may help lighten surface stains to some extent. However, a dentist's professional teeth whitening treatments are generally more effective for stubborn or deep-set stains between teeth.
Can you whiten severely yellow teeth? ›
Can yellow teeth be bleached? Yellow teeth can be completely whitened with teeth whitening technologies at the dentist or at home. Depending on the status of your yellow teeth as well as your needs, the doctor will advise and prescribe the appropriate method.
Can old brown teeth be whitened? ›
The short answer is yes and there's a wide range of solutions available. We mentioned that over-the-counter products might do the trick (i.e. the do-it-yourself approach) and that you can do several things to somehow lighten the brown colour and make your smile naturally whiter.
Can teeth with enamel damage be whitened? ›
Even though you can't reverse enamel erosion and shouldn't whiten at home to reduce yellowing, you can still change the look of your smile. The dentist can bond a tooth-colored material to the damaged area to create a smooth, pearly white finish.
