Do you have one or more stained teeth? Are you looking for a confidence boost? At 615 Smile Design Studio, Dr. Kevin Sivaneri and Dr. Ashley Whetsell provide teeth whitening treatment in Nashville, TN.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that can brighten the appearance of tooth enamel. Whitening can encourage patients to maintain their results with a good oral hygiene routine and regular professional care. Whether you have tea and coffee stains or discoloration from tooth damage; we can help. Our dental team collaborates with patients to find the best smile-whitening method.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
You may have stained, yellowed, and discolored teeth for a variety of reasons, including:
Foods and Drinks
Drinking coffee, tea, and wine can stain your teeth. Some foods like berries and tomato sauce can also discolor teeth over time. Skipping regular professional dental cleanings can leave these stains on the teeth. Poor oral hygiene can also worsen staining. Stains can stay on your teeth if you do not thoroughly clean your smile.
Tobacco Products
Smoking cigarettes, vaping, and using tobacco can yellow the tooth enamel. Tobacco contains nicotine, a substance that not only yellows the enamel but also causes bad breath. Even if you occasionally use tobacco products, you can stain your smile.
Dental Injuries
You may have noticed your tooth turn grey if you have a worn or broken tooth. This is because dental injuries affect the blood vessels within the tooth. Burst blood vessels can create a grey or darkened tooth.
Medication
Certain medications, including antihistamines, antibiotics, and antipsychotics, can darken the tooth enamel. Before treatment, we will consider your current medications and medical conditions to see if whitening is right for you. We may recommend alternatives to whitening if you want to cover your teeth.
Aging
As you age, you can experience more dental problems that impact the appearance of your smile. You may also experience tooth wear over time. As the outer layer of the tooth, called the tooth enamel, wears away, it uncovers dentin, the layer beneath the enamel. If you have worn teeth, they can appear darker than they are.
Professional vs. Store-Bought Whitening Products
Over-the-counter whitening products like strips, gels, or pens often don’t work. These store-bought products often have lower percentages of active ingredients that remove tooth stains. Uneven application of store-bought whitening products can also lead to poor results. Even if you get results from store-bought options, the results often don’t last.
Professional whitening uses higher levels of active ingredients like hydrogen peroxide. An even application helps the ingredients penetrate the enamel and lift tooth stains. These treatments are also safe and effective. We ensure our in-office and take-home treatments protect against tooth and gum sensitivity.
Teeth Whitening in Nashville, TN
Our office provides a variety of whitening treatments. We offer Opalescence Go prefilled whitening trays, customized whitening trays, and KöR Teeth Whitening. The Opalescence Go kit comes with an inner and outer tray. You will bite firmly and suck on the innermost tray, removing the colored outer tray. The whitening tray will conform to teeth and evenly place whitening gel.
For a more custom treatment, we can create take-home whitening trays. We take digital impressions to create trays that match the natural contours of the smile. Custom trays are simpler because they deliver effective whitening ingredients to each tooth.
KöR teeth whitening uses in-office and take-home treatment for the best results. The take-home KöR-Seal™ trays seal out saliva. These trays offer more effective treatment because saliva can destroy peroxide, an active ingredient in the whitening gel. We will also instruct you on how long to wear the trays for the most effective treatment.
In our office, we will begin whitening sessions with KöR by isolating the teeth and applying a desensitizing gel. Then, we apply the whitening gel to each tooth. After 20 minutes, we remove the gel and repeat the process. KöR offers more lengthy treatment than other options. However, its sealed design and powerful active ingredients can make it an effective option for many patients.
Keeping Teeth Bright
To maintain your whitening results, we recommend you continue brushing and flossing daily. Schedule routine cleanings every six months. During these cleanings, we will remove plaque and tartar, which can discolor teeth and lead to tooth and gum infections.
You can also receive touch-ups every six months. KöR offers longer-lasting results, so you may only need treatment again after several years.
Alternatives to Professional Teeth Whitening
We recommend restorative and cosmetic treatment for extremely sensitive teeth or intrinsic stains. Severe tooth sensitivity can prevent you from receiving teeth whitening treatment because you can experience pain and discomfort.
Intrinsic stains occur within the tooth. Staining particles can build beneath the tooth’s outer layer, leading to deep stains. We cannot whiten these stains with teeth whitening treatment.
However, there are common cosmetic and restorative treatments that can cover and brighten these tooth stains:
- Dental Veneers: Veneers are shell-like treatments that cover the front teeth. We will recommend porcelain veneers if you have discolored teeth in your smile zone. Veneers can cover one or more teeth that show when you smile.
- Tooth Bonding: Dental bonding uses tooth-colored resin materials to cover single stained teeth. Bonding treatment can also address chips, cracks, and other dental injuries that discolor teeth.
- Dental Crown: Crowns are dental restorations for worn or damaged teeth. Dental crowns are caps that cover and protect teeth. A tooth crown can address damaged and discolored teeth at the same time.
We will work with you during a consultation to decide which treatment is best for you. We will find the best treatment to achieve your cosmetic goals while staying within your budget.
Brighten Your Smile Today
Do you want a professional teeth whitening treatment in Nashville, TN? Contact 615 Smile Design Studio at (615) 637-2878. You can also schedule a dental appointment with us on our website.
Please let us know if you have questions about your teeth whitening options. We will be happy to help.