Have years of life left your smile looking dulled, stained, or even discolored? Do you look in the mirror at your dull teeth and wonder how everyone on TV has such a perfectly white smile? With professional teeth whitening at Complete Health Dentistry, we understand how important it can be for your self image and quality of life to have a bright, white, healthy-looking smile. We are proud to offer professional teeth whitening in Park Ridge for our patients interested in improving the appearance of their pearly whites and smile. Not quite sure if dental whitening is the right option for you? Don’t hesitate to contact our dentistry for a consultation; we would be happy to fit you on our schedule to determine the best option for you and your smile.

What Causes Tooth Discoloration?

It’s important to understand that there are multiple potential causes of your tooth discoloration because not all of them will respond to teeth whitening.

Fortunately, the most common causes of tooth discoloration are what we describe as extrinsic tooth discoloration: stains that occur on the outside of your teeth. These are stains from lifestyle causes like:

  • Coffee
  • Chocolate
  • Cola
  • Berries
  • Red wine
  • Dark beer
  • Smoking
  • Coffee
  • Chocolate
  • Cola
  • Berries
  • Red wine
  • Dark beer
  • Smoking

Along with many other things that you expose your teeth to on a daily basis. Teeth whitening uses chemicals that break down the stain molecules that come from these sources, so all of them will respond to the procedure. It’s not even, though, and some types of stains might take longer to eliminate, and might return more quickly, too.

Intrinsic discoloration, on the other hand, is when the tooth is discolored from within. This includes situations such as:

  • Naturally darker teeth
  • Aging
  • Tooth wear
  • Cavities
  • Enamel defects
  • Bruised tooth
  • Dead or infected tooth
  • Naturally darker teeth
  • Aging
  • Tooth wear
  • Cavities
  • Enamel defects
  • Bruised tooth
  • Dead or infected tooth

If your tooth or teeth are discolored because of these causes, this procedure won’t help. Instead, you will want to use treatments that cover your discolored teeth, such as porcelain veneers or dental crowns.

Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening

In this day and age, teeth whitening is a common treatment option. Many over-the-counter the best whitening products such as toothpaste, mouthwashes, strips, and even trays that claim they’ll leave you with a brighter smile. These have been proven effective and safe if used properly. It’s not a bad idea to give these procedures a try if you want after asking Dr. Kuchta if they might help with your tooth discoloration.

From our experience, many patients report seeing no results even after weeks of use. It’s also possible to see negative effects, including damage to your smile, if you don’t use them correctly.

At our dentist’s office, we always recommend the best teeth whitening, and we utilize products designed to brighten your smile fast. Best of all, we protect your gums and smile, significantly reducing your risk for sensitivity, irritation, or even damage.

About Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening can deliver a truly brighter smile. We offer multiple teeth whitening options so you can get the one that’s best for you.

In-Office Teeth Whitening

An in-office procedure uses the strongest whiteners available. In our office, we utilize Opalescence Boost, which delivers outstanding and rapid results with no need to hold still under a hot lamp. With two or three applications of the whitening gel, you’ll see dramatic brightening results in about an hour.

Take-Home Teeth Whitening

Opalescence take-home whitening uses custom-fitted trays to ensure the whitening compound stays on your teeth and doesn’t get diluted by saliva. You won’t see your teeth whiten as dramatically as an in-office treatment. However, over time, your teeth can achieve a brighter tint than with in-office whitening.

Use Both If You Want

Many people like to use both options to get the best results for their teeth. They love the dramatic boost they can get from in-office whitening, then like to see results continue to improve –or maintain–thanks to at-home whitening.

How Cosmetic Dentistry Offers More Than Whitening

Veneers, dental crowns and cosmetic dentistry can be great solutions for improving the appearance of your smile, especially when teeth whitening alone isn’t enough. Here’s how they can help in ways that teeth whitening might not:

  • Stubborn Stains: Teeth whitening is effective for removing surface stains caused by things like coffee, tea, and smoking. However, it can struggle with deeper, intrinsic stains, such as those caused by certain medications or aging. Veneers and dental crowns, on the other hand, can cover these deep stains completely, providing a whiter, more even look. Crowns are especially useful for teeth that are heavily stained, cracked, or damaged, giving them a fresh, bright appearance.
  • Permanent Results: While teeth whitening can fade over time, especially if you continue habits like drinking coffee or smoking, veneers and crowns are permanent solutions that won’t stain as easily. Both are made from materials like porcelain, which are resistant to staining and discoloration, ensuring that your smile stays vibrant long-term.
  • Shape and Size Improvement: Whitening can only brighten your existing teeth, but it doesn’t address issues with the size or shape of teeth. Veneers and crowns are custom-designed to improve the color, shape, size, and alignment of your teeth, offering a more complete smile makeover. Crowns are often used for teeth that need extra support, such as those that are cracked or worn down, providing both cosmetic and functional benefits.
  • Even Color: Whitening can sometimes cause uneven results, especially if your teeth have different levels of natural discoloration. Veneers and crowns can be applied in a way that ensures a uniform color across all your teeth, even if they previously had different shades. This is particularly beneficial for teeth that are unevenly discolored or damaged.
  • Long-Term Aesthetic Improvement: Cosmetic dentistry, including veneers, crowns, and other procedures, provides a more holistic approach to smile enhancement. These options not only address the color of your teeth but also improve their shape, size, and overall appearance in a way that teeth whitening alone cannot.

So, while teeth whitening works wonders for many people, additional cosmetic procedures offer a more comprehensive solution, especially when whitening doesn’t deliver the desired results.

Schedule Teeth Whitening in Park Ridge Today

Are you interested in improving the appearance, shade, and color of your smile? Contact Complete Health Dentistry today; we are always welcoming new patients and would be happy to determine if teeth whitening in Park Ridge is the right option for improving your pearly whites and smile.