After seeing the amazing results on the show “Extreme Makeover”, a number of patients recently asked me about having their mouths treated with cosmetically.  As most people have noticed, the smile makes a dramatic difference in a person’s appearance.  All of the nips and tucks, hairdos and makeup wouldn’t have been nearly as effective without the creation of a beautiful smile.  One of the simplest procedures accomplished for people who are “made over” is to have their teeth whitened.

On the show, an in-office whitening system known as “Zoom” is utilized to whiten the teeth a number of shades in as little as hours time.  I really like the “Zoom” system as it is the one I utilize in my office, but other similar systems such as “Brite Smile” or lasers can work equally as well.  If you are in a hurry and are a candidate for whitening, your dentist may suggest this procedure for you.  During in-office whitening, your dentist will apply a protective gel to your gums and a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues.  A whitening agent is then applied to the teeth.  In some cases it is activated chemically, but most often a special light such as in the “Zoom” system is used.  The advantage of in-office whitening is that you achieve dramatic whitening in a very short period of time.

Before we go any further, let’s talk about why teeth darken in the first place.  Unfortunately, a lot of things can cause your teeth to lose their natural luster.  Bad news for all of you coffee and tea drinkers – over time they will stain your teeth.  Several fruits and fruit drinks also have the same result.  Smoking is notorious for darkening your pearly whites as well as having many dangerous side effects to your health.  In some instances, the medications you are taking could discolor your teeth.  If so, you may want to talk with your physician.  Still another possible cause is that, as you age, the outer layer of enamel on your teeth can get worn away.  Eventually, as it thins, it reveals the darker tooth structure underneath.  

Whitening procedures are effective in the vast majority of people, but whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration.  For example, yellowish or brown hued teeth typically whiten very well, whereas grayish hued teeth may not lighten to any significant degree.  Other types of stain caused by fluorosis or tetracycline are lightened, but results are not as dramatic.  Likewise, whitening may not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth.  The whitener will not affect the color of these materials, and they may stand out in your newly whitened smile if they aren’t replaced.  In these cases you may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.  Talk with your dentist to see if you are a candidate for whitening.

Several products other than the in-office treatment are available for whitening teeth.  These are for use at home and can either be dispensed by your dentist or in some instances purchased over-the-counter.  Over the counter products have lower concentrations of the whitening agent and typically won’t deliver the dramatic changes you will obtain from professionally dispensed products.

Unfortunately, no one can really predict how much lighter your teeth will become.  Every case is different.  The success rate depends upon the type of stain involved and the cause of the discoloration.  Next week I will discuss other cosmetic treatments that are provided for makeovers on the show that have been of interest to several patients.