A beautiful white smile is magnetic, and teeth whitening can help achieve this. Many people desire whiter and brighter teeth, and St. Lawrence Dentistry is happy to offer teeth whitening services.
Tooth whitening is a process known as oxidation, in which organic materials break down to create a whiter smile. There are many causes of tooth discoloration. Some of the most common include the consumption of highly colored foods (berries) and drinks (coffee, tea, red wine). Antibiotics at a young age, aging, smoking, and trauma can also lead to discolorations.
There are many different brands of teeth whitening systems. St. Lawrence Dentistry uses the Pola Advanced Tooth Whitening System because of its proven results and safety. The most popular versions of Pola Whitening are Poladay and Polanight. These are take-home whitening systems. Both are spearmint flavored, crystal clear gels that contain a unique blend of soothers, conditioners, and water to reduce sensitivity. Our office will make custom ‘bleach trays’ to hold the gel ideally next to your teeth. Dr. Hawryluk will recommend the exact Pola product to suit your teeth and lifestyle. During the whitening process, the whitening gel breaks down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, and the stains are ‘dissolved’. The process takes, on average, two weeks in the comfort of your own home. If teeth are profoundly stained, the whitening process can take much longer. After the whitening is complete, you will enjoy a refreshing whiter, and younger-looking smile.
Take-home whitening kits have proven to be an economical and practical approach to whitening teeth. However, if the patient wants a more immediate result, in-office whitening is available. Pola Office Plus is the world’s fastest bleach and can be the answer for those people with a busy lifestyle. This gel is applied while you sit in the dental chair, and the treatment time is about 30 minutes.
The treatment results will last if you are ‘touching-up’ your teeth a few times per year with the take-home gels. Without touch-ups, your teeth will start to re-stain by the same things that caused them to discolor in the first place.
St. Lawrence Dentistry will ensure your whitening program is safe for your teeth. Clinical studies have shown that bleaching with carbamide or hydrogen peroxide under the supervision of a dental professional is safe for your teeth and gums. We will select the appropriate bleaching concentration and interval the teeth should be bleached. Also, doctors advise desensitizing agents such as MI Paste to be used in between bleaching days to control sensitivity.
Dr. Hawryluk often gets asked about the effects that tooth whitening can have on their existing dental work. Teeth whitening can remove stains on existing dental work but will not change their shade. Dr. Hawryluk can often resurface fillings after the whitening process in a lighter shade. Resurfacing involves just removing the top layer of the existing–this usually requires no local anesthetic (freezing).
St. Lawrence Dentistry would like to help you achieve a beautiful white smile. If you live in the Mississauga or Toronto area and would like more information about dental whitening, please contact our office.
