How teeth whitening can improve a faded smile

By Curt P. Posey, DDS, Inc.

December 17, 2015

Tags: teeth whitening

Do you feel that your smile has faded over time? Yellowed or stained teeth are hard to be proud of. However, there is actually an easy answer to this problem. Your Fresno, CA dentist, Dr. Curt P. Posey, DDS, can bring your teeth back to the shining smile they once were with professional teeth whitening sessions performed right in his office.

Understanding How Staining Works
The teeth are made up of two layers. The hard, white outer layer, called the enamel, and the softer, yellow-colored inner layer called the dentin. Outside elements like coffee, tea or tobacco use can cause stains to form on the enamel. The enamel is porous, allowing these stains to seep down into the lower dentin layer. When this happens, the discoloration is much harder to lighten. Staining can also occur due to the enamel wearing away over time, allowing the dentin’s yellow color to show through the white enamel. Additionally, trauma to the tooth may cause staining to form directly on the dentin layer.

Some stains may respond to weaker, at-home whitening kits. However, these kits do not provide the drastic results that in-office whitening procedures do. In-office procedures are performed by professionals who supervise the process. This means the chemicals used to break the bonds that hold together the stain’s molecules can be much stronger. These stronger whitening agents provide greater results in a shorter amount of time.

The Teeth Whitening Procedure
Whitening sessions usually take about an hour. Your Fresno dentist Dr. Posey will use a dental appliance inserted into the mouth to cover the gum tissue. Next, whitening agents are applied to the teeth. A special whitening light is directed at the teeth to speed up the whitening process. The procedure is normally made up of three 15-minute segments. Your dentist then applies additional whitening agents to the teeth after each segment. You will see results immediately. Your teeth can be up to 10 shades whiter than at the beginning of the session.

To learn more about teeth whitening, contact Dr. Curt P. Posey, DDS in Fresno, CA. Please call (559) 227-6755 to schedule your appointment today!

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