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 Dallas, TX.

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 Lalangas Family Dentistry at 972-534-6008 for an appointment in our Dallas office.

Related Posts

FAQs About Oral Appliance Treatment For Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea interrupts your breathing while you are asleep, which forces your brain to momentarily wake you up to restart your breathing. These interruptions can occur hundreds of times during a single night, making it impossible to get quality sleep. Sleep apnea can also have life-threatening consequences when left untreated for prolonged periods. In addition,…

The Benefits Of Tooth Colored Composite Fillings

If you have a cavity, the good news is that composite fillings are one of the restoration options available to restore the tooth. Compared to traditional fillings, the newer composite variety offers some significant benefits.Composite restorations are made of a synthetic resin, a plastic material, that is mixed together with tiny particles of quartz or…

When A Dentist Would Recommend Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are made of plastic resin and glass particles mixed together. Your dentist may offer you composite dental fillings if they think you would benefit from them. You can ask your dentist for a composite filling, and if they do not think it would be of benefit to you, they will let you know…

Lalangas Family Dentistry

Share
Published by
Lalangas Family Dentistry

Recent Posts

FAQs About Oral Appliance Treatment for Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious health condition that you should never ignore.

17 hours ago

The Benefits of Tooth Colored Composite Fillings

If you have a cavity, the good news is that composite fillings are one of…

4 days ago

When a Dentist Would Recommend Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are made of plastic resin and glass particles mixed together. Your dentist may…

1 week ago

The Cosmetic Benefits of Uniform Color Fillings

Patients who receive fillings for dental decay may be interested to know that there are…

2 weeks ago

How Composite Fillings Deal With Cavities

Created with quartz or glass and using a resin medium, composite fillings are quickly becoming…

2 weeks ago

What Foods to Avoid After Getting Composite Fillings

Composite fillings are a common treatment for filling cavities and addressing tooth decay. These treatments…

3 weeks ago