Teeth naturally darken with age and their appearance can be also affected by the accumulation of surface stains acquired from consumption of certain foods or drinks or using tobacco.

There is a high demand for teeth whitening as a lot of people want to have a brighter smile. Responding to this desire, a wide range of “whitening” options has become available to consumers. These products fall into two main categories: Surface whiteners and bleaches.

Surface Whiteners

These products use special abrasives to improve the product’s ability to remove surface stains. Most products in this category are in the category of toothpastes.  Because the special abrasives in these whitening products are often only finer versions of what is used in regular toothpastes, they are unlikely to cause excessive tooth wear. However, the effectiveness of these products is limited to surface stains and should not be used as a substitute for professional cleaning which is meant to remove the calculus.

Activated Charcoal is one of the most popular products being advertised for teeth whitening. Activated charcoal in toothpaste may help remove surface stains on your teeth. Charcoal is mildly abrasive and is also able to absorb surface stains to some degree. However there is no evidence that it has any effect on stains below a tooth’s enamel, or that it has a natural whitening effect.

Bleaches

Most bleaching products are peroxide-based which makes them capable of altering the colors of the teeth itself. However, not all tooth discolorations respond to tooth-bleaching treatments. Individuals considering tooth-bleaching should consult with a dentist to determine the cause of the discoloration and to determine whether a bleaching treatment will have the desired result. This  is especially important for patients with fillings, root canal treatments, crowns and/or with extremely dark stains on the anterior teeth.

A number of different bleaching techniques and products are available to patients. At Trillium Smile we offer different options of whitening and depend on each individual’s oral and dental condition, we recommend the most appropriate option to each patient.

Zoom Whitening effectively whitens your teeth in office in 2 hours. We always start with a complimentary consultation so Dr. Tousi can assess your oral condition. If you are a good candidate for zoom Whitening, we book a 2 hours appointment for you with our hygienist. In that appointment special paste will cover your gums to protect the soft tissue from the whitening gel. Whitening gel will be applied to your teeth and a special light will be activating it. Your teeth slowly get whiter while you are relaxed in the chair listening to music. Touch up kit and instructions will be provided to you at the end of the appointment.

Take home whitening kit contains a custom made tray which is fabricated based on the impression of your teeth. There is different percentage of whitening gels which we choose from based on your oral and dental condition.  Clinical studies support the safety and effectiveness of home-use bleaching gels when used appropriately and after consulting with your dentist. Instructions will be provided to you on how to use the kit.

Opalescence whitening kit is a ready to use kit which contains 10 upper and lower trays with a layer of gel inside them. This is another safe whitening system we offer our patients and whitens your teeth in 10 days.

Keep in mind if you have active dental cavities, it is not recommended to get teeth whitening. Tooth sensitivity and irritation to soft tissues can occur during bleaching treatment.

At Trillium Smile, we strive to provide quality of care to our patients. We appreciate the value of having a bright smile and offer complimentary consultations for new patients looking for teeth whitening to make sure you choose the right option.

To reserve your complimentary consultation, contact us at 905-828-9894.