Discoloration or staining of the teeth is a common occurrence, and can occur due to various situations. The cause of tooth discoloration often determines what the best treatment will be. In most cases, stained teeth can be easily treated in a dental office with a teeth whitening treatment.

Causes of Extrinsic Staining

There are two basic types of tooth discoloration: extrinsic staining and intrinsic staining. Extrinsic staining occurs on the surface of the teeth, and is the easiest to treat.

The most common cause of extrinsic staining is contact with strongly colored foods or beverages, including:

• Coffee
• Tea
• Wine
• Dark colored fruits

Another all-too-common cause of surface tooth discoloration is smoking.

This type of staining to the teeth can be easily treated by a cosmetic dentist. Treatment can be performed in the office and usually takes an hour or so. The dentist places a whitening agent on the teeth and then lets it sit for a certain amount of time. In some cases, the whitening agent is activated with a special light. The whitening agent is usually removed after about twenty minutes and re-applied.

In-office teeth whitening is usually very effective and provides dramatic results even after a single session. If staining proves more stubborn, though, your dentist might recommend a take-home whitening kit that will whiten your teeth gradually over a period of a week or two.

Causes of Intrinsic Staining

Intrinsic staining refers to discoloration that is part of the tooth structure itself. A common cause of intrinsic staining is use of certain medications, including antibiotics, or excessive exposure to fluoride while the teeth are developing. This can result in gray discoloration in the teeth, often in a striped pattern.

Traditional tooth whitening usually does not work on intrinsic staining, although some new techniques can alleviate this type of discoloration. In general, porcelain veneers or crowns are the best way to restore the tooth to its natural color if staining is intrinsic.

For more information about teeth whitening in Dallas, please contact our office to schedule a consultation.

A brighter, whiter smile is a common goal for a cosmetic dentist’s patients. Many of those patients find that they need to counteract the tooth discoloration caused by food and drink, genetics or even by the passage of time.

In the past, patients have turned to uncomfortable trays and messy gels for their teeth whitening needs. A newer technique, ZOOM Teeth Whitening, offers a more convenient and efficient treatment option for patients in search of pearlier whites.

Using the ZOOM method, the dentist first applies a whitening gel to the teeth. The gel, which contains hydrogen peroxide as its active ingredient, is then activated with a special light. The ZOOM light is an important component of the procedure, as it helps to activate the hydrogen peroxide and makes it easier for that ingredient to enter the tooth material. As the hydrogen peroxide breaks down, oxygen penetrates the enamel and bleaches any stains that are present. The combination of the light and the gel helps to maximize the results. In fact, ZOOM Whitening can have dramatic outcomes, making teeth as many as eight shades whiter on average.

ZOOM Whitening is also fast. The results are visible after just a single 45-minute session in the dental office. The results are long-lasting as well. When patients follow a standard oral health routine of regular brushing and flossing, they typically can maintain their whiter smiles by periodically using ZOOM-brand touch-up products at home.

Consult with a ZOOM Teeth Whitening dentist in Plano to determine if this procedure will meet your needs.

Your smile is one of the first things people notice when they meet you. A whiter, brighter smile is powerful and can help you feel better about yourself and make a memorable impression!

Lifestyle and aging can stain and darken your teeth. Many things people do routinely such as drinking coffee, red wine or smoking can contribute to stained teeth.

Fortunately, at Plano Smile Studio you can have a whiter, brighter smile through a Zoom whitening procedure that takes about an hour! With the Zoom Technology, Dr. Hucklebridge can provide a beautiful change that can last for years with either an in-home supervised method or an in-office laser-assisted method.

The In-office whitening is our most popular choice. It takes just 1 hour to complete and includes take-home trays so you can maintain your shade.

Another option is a professional strength take-home solution with a custom-fitted mouthpiece. This method will take 2 to 4 weeks to produce results equal to that of one in-office whitening session.

Zoom into Plano Smile Studio for a whiter, brighter smile today!