Sunday, June 23, 2013

A Sacramental Family Dentist Can Help Whiten Your Teeth.

By Roxy Albright


The reasons to consult a Sacramento family dentist vary from person to person. The need for services ranges from correction of cavities to gum disease to issues with alignment of the jaw. Protection and preservation of teeth is provided by invaluable dental services. Dentists also provide services that in extreme cases control or even prevent bacterial infections of the gums and jaw. This is important because serious bacterial infections can become fatal if body systems become septic. Services offered at Sacramento Dental can both enhance and assure preservation of your smile.

A Sacramento family dentist can restore and preserve your teeth. A dentist can offer many procedures that are intended solely to improve function. Examples include: fillings, veneers, tooth shaping, bridges, gum lifts, and even braces. These procedures aid in keeping teeth and gums healthy. Cosmetic procedures, performed by Sacramento Dental almost as commonly as functional procedures, do not necessarily improve function of the teeth; however, that does not negate their importance. Tooth whitening, commonly referred to as "bleaching", is by far the most common esthetics-only procedure performed in dental offices. Tooth whitening is very popular, causing many people to ask what tooth whitening is and how it works. They are also curious about the differences between at-home systems and in-office systems. And a final consideration is the costs associated with tooth whitening.

A Sacramento family dentist can perform in-office tooth whitening and also get a patient ready to perform at-home whitening procedures for themselves. Both procedures involve the use of peroxide-based materials to whiten teeth. Whether it is an in-office whitening procedure or at-home whitening, prior to any treatment, patients should have all cavities filled and gums should be healthy. Often times whitening procedures produce sensitivity, which can become unbearable if either cavities are present or gums are unhealthy. The procedure itself involves peroxide gels being applied to the teeth in order to oxidize stains. With either type of tooth whitening, teeth can become four to six shades lighter in a fairly short period of time.

The use of 35% hydrogen peroxide gels coupled with high intensity light is generally used for all in-office procedures. There is a risk of gum damage when some lasers are used, which requires the gums to be covered prior to treatment. Other laser systems are safer for gums, making covering the gums unnecessary. When treatment is started, gel is applied to the teeth and then a laser or plasma light is used to activate the peroxide within the gels. Oxidization of stains on the tooth surfaces occurs once the peroxide is activated. One hour from start to finish is the general time necessary. Cost depends on the laser used, but is generally in the $500 - $1,100 range.

At-home systems most often use 10 - 20% carbamine peroxide gels to oxidize stains. Because the procedure is done at home, the gel does not require the use of a laser in order for oxidization to occur; however, the results are often less effective then in-office procedures. A Sacramental family dentist makes impressions of the mouth and then has trays made. The patient fills the soft mouth trays with a ribbon of gel each night and wears the trays while sleeping. Most whitening will occur within one or two weeks. Trays may be worn for up to six weeks. This generally costs between $400 - $800 for trays to be made and all necessary gels for one full course of treatment.

A Sacramento family dentist can further discuss your options for tooth whitening at Sacramento Dental.




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