GK Dental
Family, Cosmetic & Implant
Procedures
Teeth Whitening
How does teeth whitening work?
Teeth whitening is the removal of stains and discolorations from the enamel and dentin. Enamel, the outer layer of the tooth, is thin and typically much lighter in color, while dentin, the inner layer, is darker in color and makes up the bulk of the tooth. Enamel can be discolored over time simply from age, but also from outside sources like coffee, tea, tobacco, and other foods and beverages. Also, as we age, our enamel thins, causing more dentin to show through, making the overall appearance of the tooth look darker.
Whitening your teeth removes these stains and discolorations, giving you a whiter, brighter smile. The active ingredients in whitening gels are hydrogen peroxide and pass into your teeth to oxidize the discolored molecules deep down in your teeth, removing stains and whitening your smile.
Will teeth whitening cause tooth sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity is a relatively common side effect of teeth whitening and results from irritation of the nerve of your tooth by the peroxide in the whitening gel. No harm is caused to your tooth as a result of a whitening treatment, and this discomfort is not an indication of damage to your tooth. If sensitivity occurs, it is most often temporary and will go away when you've completed the whitening process.
In order to minimize the tooth sensitivity, we offer take-home whitening kits. Take-home version has lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide than the in-office version. Moreover, you have a better control. During the procedure, if your teeth become too sensitive, stop the procedure and wait for a couple more days before continuing. We also recommend you to use toothpaste for sensitive teeth for at least 2 weeks prior to and during the whitening procedure. We also use whitening material with PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride) which desensitizes teeth.
Can I whiten a crown or a filling?
No, only natural tooth structure can be whitened, any crowns or fillings that you have will not react to whitening products.