22 Jul Should I whiten my teeth before or after cosmetic dental procedures?
Professional teeth whitening produces incredible results. Unlike over the counter products, a professional whitening treatment will bleach away deep stains that have developed below the enamel surface of teeth. Moreover, since patients receiving this treatment are under the supervision of our cosmetic dentist, professional teeth whitening is safe for tooth structure. If you are receiving multiple cosmetic services to improve your smile, it is best to whiten your teeth before any other form of treatment is conducted.
Why should I whiten first?
If you are receiving different cosmetic treatments, it is best to whiten teeth first. This is because other treatments utilize prosthetic materials such as porcelain veneers or white crowns. Since these materials come in various white shades and cannot be lightened like natural tooth structure, it is best to achieve a white smile before these cosmetic enhancements and prosthetics are permanently bonded to teeth.
Porcelain veneers, for example, are wafer-thin, tooth-shaped cosmetic enhancements that are cemented over the outer surface of teeth. Since veneers are so thin, the color of natural tooth structure can come through – especially if teeth are quite dark. Moreover, veneers are permanent so patients should have their teeth as white as possible before they are placed to get the most of their custom cosmetic enhancements.
White restorations like dental crowns and bridges cannot be lightened. Porcelain comes in various white shades and it is ideal to match porcelain to already whitened teeth so that restorations will not appear unnatural and conspicuous.
Why is professional teeth whitening better than store bought products?
The products found in stores – whether it is a toothpaste or set of whitening strips – contain low concentrations of whitening ingredients. This means that store bought products lack the strength to remove anything more than surface stains. Our practice uses Opalescence, a teeth-whitening system that utilizes prescription concentrations of bleaching ingredients so that patients can achieve a noticeably brighter smile without wasting their time or money. Lastly, prescription whitening formulas are safe for teeth and will not contribute to tooth sensitivity like some over the counter products do.
Call The Dental Place at 972-264-5795 to schedule a smile makeover consultation with our cosmetic dentist.