Teeth Whitening – Oklahoma City, OK
Say Goodbye to Stubborn Tooth Stains
Many dental patients invest countless hours and dollars in products to whiten their teeth. Toothpaste, mouthwashes, strips, gels; the options are seemingly endless, and so are the variety of results. For some patients, over-the-counter teeth whitening products can be effective, but for the majority of people seeking teeth whitening, non-professional products will not be effective. The best way to determine what teeth whitening options are best for you is to visit Mitchell Smile Design. Cosmetic dentist, Dr. Bradley Mitchell, can examine your smile and help you determine which option for teeth whitening at our Oklahoma City, OK dental office will fit your needs, budget, and timeline.
Why Choose Mitchell Smile Design for Teeth Whitening?
- In-Office or At-Home Whitening Options
- Solutions That Deliver Stunning Results
- Treatments Designed with Your Comfort in Mind
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
When tooth stains and discoloration are noticeable and cause you to feel self-conscious about your appearance, professional teeth whitening may be the answer. When meeting with Dr. Mitchell for a consultation, he will determine if your stains are intrinsic, extrinsic, or age-related. Identifying the underlying cause will allow for a more effective plan to target and eliminate the stains.
We will need to make sure that your teeth and gums are healthy, so Dr. Mitchell will examine your mouth and make necessary recommendations should we find any signs of tooth decay or gum disease. By addressing these issues beforehand, you can feel more confident moving forward with professional teeth whitening knowing that your oral health is in the best possible shape.
Types of Tooth Discoloration
There are three types of tooth discoloration: extrinsic, intrinsic, and age-related. Each type requires specific treatment to restore the smile's natural beauty.
Extrinsic
This includes surface-level enamel stains from coffee, wine, and other acidic or staining foods and drinks as well as smoking or using tobacco. Mild surface-level stains respond to over-the-counter whitening products but can be more comfortably treated with our professional at-home whitening solutions and custom application trays with your choice of strength and wear times.
Intrinsic
Beneath the thin, enamel layer is dentin. Intrinsic staining is the discoloration of the dentin layer and has many causes including:
- Overexposure to fluoride
- Tetracycline antibiotics taken younger than the age of eight or by your mother while you were in utero
- Traumatic injury in your childhood can discolor the developing dentin
- Internal bleeding from trauma to a permanent tooth
- If extrinsic staining isn’t removed, it can be absorbed into the dentin layer
- While tetracycline and traumatic injury discolorations do not respond well to tooth whitening, regular staining of the dentin layer is treatable with professional-grade in-office or at-home whitening
Age-Related
The dentin layer is yellow and darkens with age in conjunction with the natural thinning of tooth enamel giving teeth an older appearance. This type of discoloration does not generally respond to teeth whitening. Veneers or cosmetic bonding may be good options for improving the color of the teeth.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Dr. Mitchell is pleased to provide Zoom in-office whitening and customized at-home whitening trays. Using the highest quality products, we can make sure that your smile is truly transformed with safe and effective solutions:
Zoom In-Office Teeth Whitening
Zoom in-office teeth whitening is one of the most effective ways to remove stains from the enamel and dentin layers. While discoloration caused by age or trauma may not respond to this whitening method, most other stains can be lifted with in-office whitening. Professional whitening gel uses hydrogen or carbamide peroxide to remove stains. Typically, oxidation is considered a bad thing. Rust and rotting fruit are types of oxidations, but when it comes to teeth whitening, the oxidized reaction caused by the peroxide results in stain removal.
Benefits of Zoom In-Office Teeth Whitening
- Quick results
- Observation by dentist
- Most drastic changes
- Soft tissue is protected
Zoom In-Office Teeth Whitening Process
- Mitchell prepares your mouth by protecting gums, lips, and soft tissue from the whitening agent.
- The whitening gel is applied to the teeth and allowed to stand for about an hour.
- The whitening gel is removed, and patients may choose to receive fluoride treatment.
- Teeth are as much as 10 shades brighter.
Professional At-Home Teeth Whitening
Unlike over-the-counter teeth whitening products, professional-grade, at-home whitening uses custom application trays. These are crafted to protect the gums from the peroxide that is used as well as keep saliva from affecting the solution.
One-size-fits-all application trays allow saliva to mix with whitening gel. Saliva is the body’s natural acid neutralizer, and that is typically a good thing. When it comes to teeth whitening, though, saliva essentially deactivates the peroxide solution, rendering it ineffective. Custom trays fit more comfortably, protect soft tissue from damage, and keep saliva from neutralizing the solution.
Benefits of At-Home Teeth Whitening
- Comfort of home
- Professional results
- Budget-friendly
- Better for sensitive teeth
- Gradual lightening
- Great for touchups to extend the results of in-office whitening
At-Home Teeth Whitening Process
- Mitchell takes impressions of your smile, and these are used to create custom whitening application trays.
- You receive professional-grade whitening gel. There are a variety of strengths and wearing times available. The best option for your schedule, budget, and smile will be determined during a meeting with Dr. Mitchell.
- Patients apply the gel via a custom application tray for a predetermined amount of time each day.
- In about two weeks, patients will see the most significant changes to their smile.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Once you are finished with professional teeth whitening, there are several things you can do to keep your smile looking its best going forward. Some helpful tips to consider include:
- Staying away from foods and beverages that cause staining (i.e., berries, coffee, tea, soda, soy sauce, etc.)
- Adopting a good oral hygiene routine at home of brushing, flossing, and rinsing
- Consuming healthy, nutrient-rich foods, including calcium-enriched dairy (i.e., yogurt, milk, cheese)
- Continue to visit our office for regular dental checkups and cleanings every six months
- Inquire about touchups when you see that your teeth are not as white as they used to be
