Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening is a bleaching process that removes discoloration and stains from your teeth, specifically your tooth enamel and dentin.  Stained teeth are classified into 2 different categories:

Intrinsic staining occurs within the tooth structure, such as the dentin of your tooth.  Extrinsic staining occurs on the surface of your tooth or in the outer layers of your tooth enamel.  There are a number of factors that play a role in staining your teeth, such as:

Excessive use of Fluoride – The excessive use of fluoride can lead to a condition known as tooth enamel fluorosis.  Tooth enamel fluorosis can range from faint white lines or streaks to discoloration or brown markings; and sometimes the enamel may be pitted, hard to clean and course. 

Tetracycline staining – Tetracycline is an antibiotic drug that is prescribed by doctors to treat infection.  If tetracycline is used during the period of tooth formation, your teeth can become stained or discolored.  The level of staining or discoloration varies.

Trauma – Trauma to your teeth such as physical injury caused by violent or disruptive actions can cause teeth staining.  Usually a hemorrhage occurs inside the pulp chamber forcing the excess blood into the dentinal tubules of the dentin and enamel of your tooth.  Initially, the color of the tooth is pinkish in color, but over time, the color will look brownish to black.  In severe cases of trauma, the pulp of the tooth is destroyed, requiring additional treatment, such as root canal therapy, from your dentist.

Degeneration of the Pulp – Tooth pulp is a soft tissue made up of arteries, nerves and veins.  When the pulp of your tooth begins to degenerate, the pulp tissue is unable to function properly, producing a grayish-brown color in your tooth.  Degeneration of the pulp can occur from poor oral hygiene or from letting cracked, split or fractured teeth remain untreated.

Restorative Procedures – Dental materials used in restorative procedures can cause tooth discoloration or the dental materials used can become discolored, such as gold, amalgam (silver), or white fillings and porcelain or composite resin products.

Hereditary Conditions or Illnesses – certain hereditary conditions or illnesses such as porphyria, phenylketonuria, amelogenesis imperfecta, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and enamel hypoplasiaca can cause discolored teeth.

Aging – As you get older, the enamel of your teeth begins to thin, exposing the underlying layer of yellowish dentin.

Use of Staining Substances – Smoking tobacco, chewing tobacco, coffee, tea, pop products, red wine and fruit juices are just a few examples of staining substances.  Just remember if a food or beverage can leave stains on carpet or clothing, more than likely they can stain your teeth.

To determine the cause of your tooth staining and to discuss tooth whitening treatment options, please contact a cosmetic dentist near you. Dr. Dhayni is a certified cosmetic dentist providing teeth whitening, among many other cosmetic dentistry services, to the Warren, Michigan and Metro Detroit Area. 

Upon your initial appointment, we will need to check the strength and condition of your teeth with a thorough examination.  Dr. Dhayni will diagnose the cause of your tooth discoloration and provide you with treatment options.  Depending on the exact cause of your tooth discoloration and course of treatment recommended, Dr. Dhayni may need to take x-rays and/or impressions of your teeth. Dr. Dhayni offers a variety of in-office teeth whitening or at-home teeth whitening procedures.

One type of in-office teeth whitening that Dr. Dhayni offers is Zoom, he also offers Zoom 2 teeth whitening, the latest advancement in teeth whitening.  Zoom is a laser teeth-whitening system that is safe, fast, and takes about one hour.  We will begin by thoroughly removing any tartar and plaque from your teeth.  We will isolate your lips, gums and face with protective material before applying the Zoom light-activated tooth whitening gel. 

The active ingredient in Zoom whitening gel is hydrogen peroxide.  Once the Zoom tooth whitening gel is applied, a laser is shined onto your tooth, gently penetrating the enamel and dentin layer of your tooth, bleaching away stains.  We repeat this cycle on each tooth and on average; your teeth will lighten 6 to 10 shades.  A fluoride treatment completes the procedure.  You may experience mild sensitivity, but it subsides usually within one day. 

Dr. Dhayni will give you post whitening care instructions along with a tooth whitening kit and tooth whitening trays for home touch-up whenever discoloration is noticed.  Zoom in-office laser teeth whitening costs approximately $595.00. 

One type of at-home teething whitening that Dr. Dhayni offers is Nite White.  Nite White is a tooth whitening procedure that involves wearing clear, custom fitted trays containing tooth whitening gel at night or during the day.  The active ingredient in Nite White whitening gel is carbamide peroxide.  Nite White is available in a variety of carbamide peroxide concentrations. 

Dr. Dhayni will examine your teeth to determine the concentration level of Nite White whitening gel to use on your teeth based on your desired results and cause of tooth discoloration.  Then he will take impressions of your teeth to create your clear whitening trays.  Dr. Dhayni will give you specific instructions to follow and will monitor your progress through periodic office visits until the Nite White process is complete. 

Once complete, he will give you at-home whitening care instructions to follow.  The Nite White whitening system takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks depending on your desired results and cause of tooth staining.  Nite White at-home teeth whitening costs approximately $369.00 

Sometimes certain patients are not good candidates for tooth whitening.  Alternative procedures to consider are veneers or Lumineers. To determine if teeth whitening is right for you, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Dhanyi at (586)-558-8200 or email us at info@warrendentistry.com.  Our office is located at 30205 Schoenherr Rd, Suite E, Warren, Michigan 48088.  The cost of teeth whitening depends on the type of procedure performed and your desired results.