Teeth Whitening

Stains on teeth can be classified in one of two ways: extrinsic or intrinsic. 

• Extrinsic stains appear on the surface of your teeth. 
• Intrinsic stains live between the microcracks in your enamel and deep within your dentin (the layer of your tooth underneath your enamel). 

Whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses may be able to remove some of the extrinsic stains on your teeth. But only teeth whitening agents can remove the stubborn extrinsic stains and the unsightly intrinsic stains that cause your teeth to look discolored.

Opalescence gels contain an active whitening ingredient (either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) that penetrates your enamel to get to discolored molecules. Oxygen molecules from the whitening agents react with the discolored molecules in your teeth, breaking the bonds that hold them together. The oxygen molecules spread, whitening the entire tooth. As a result, you are left with a brighter, whiter smile.

• Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)
• Yellow teeth due to age or normal wear of outer tooth layer
• Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.)
• Stains from coffee, tea, red wine, or smoking

Internal bleaching is much different than whitening the outside of the tooth. Despite the general ease and affordability of the procedure, many aren’t even aware of the possibility to bleach teeth in such a manner, causing them to go years with stained teeth in their “smile-zone.”  There are different processes for internal bleaching, depending on whether the tooth in question is stained because of prior root canal treatment, or because it’s in need of root canal treatment.