Almost everyone wants a brilliant white smile, often seen as a sign of beauty and good health. This may be one reason why tooth whitening treatments increased in popularity by more than 300 percent between 2000 and 2005, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. There are now a variety of professional and over-the-counter treatments available that can help make you look like a Hollywood star without costing an arm and a leg.
Causes
Most tooth stains are extrinsic, meaning they occur on the outer layer of the tooth and are caused by drinking coffee or tea, smoking or even eating a lot of spaghetti sauce. Other stains are intrinsic, affecting the inner structure of the tooth and are more difficult to remove. These types of stains are usually caused by medications such as tetracycline; nerve or blood vessel damage; or fluorosis, resulting from overexposure to fluoride during tooth development. Some stains are a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic factors that result from aging, when the outer part of the tooth enamel gradually becomes thinner over time and allows the yellow dentin beneath to show through.
Whitener Types
Your dentist can perform a bleaching procedure in his office, where a protective gel or rubber shield is applied to your gums and then a bleaching agent is applied to the teeth followed by a laser to enhance the whitening agent. Dentists can also use bonding, where a composite resin is molded onto your teeth to change their color and reshape them, or veneers, shell-like facings attached directly on top of your stained teeth. Over-the-counter treatments include whitening toothpastes and tooth bleaching kits using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Not all techniques will work in all cases and you'll need to consult with your dentist to see what will be the most effective treatment for your situation.
Considerations
Reports suggest that up to 75 percent of patients undergoing tooth whitening can experience painful sensitivity, according to Robert Margeas, DDS, adjunct professor at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. This happens as byproducts of carbamide and hydrogen peroxide used in whitening pass through enamel and dentin into the pulp and nerves beneath teeth. It may help to use an anti-hypersensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne twice daily, two weeks before and during whitening treatment.
Time Frame
With tray bleaching, teeth normally lighten in three days to six weeks. However, nicotine-stained teeth may take one to three months and tetracycline-stained teeth may require two to six months of nightly treatment, according to the American Dental Association. The average number of in-office visits for maximum whitening is three sessions, with multiple appointments typically scheduled a week apart to allow sensitivity to fade.
Costs
At-home bleaching kits can range from $300 to $500, as of 2010. The American Dental Hygiene Association reports that bonding can cost $300 to $700 per tooth; porcelain veneers can cost $700 to $1,200 per tooth; and in-office whitening can cost between $600 and $1,200.
