3 Ways Invisalign Has Improved Over the Years
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Why Do Teeth Lose Their Whiteness?
Living with dull and discolored teeth doesn’t give a person much to smile about. But, professional whitening offers safe and affordable solutions — and even immediate results!
Kenn Kakosian, DDS, PhD, of DentAlign NYC in the Midtown East neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City, uses professional teeth whitening to turn his patients’ teeth from dull to bright white. Whether you want instant results or the convenience of at-home solutions, he can help you smile again with confidence.
The causes of tooth discoloration
When it comes to tooth stains, there are two basic types: extrinsic stains and intrinsic stains.
Extrinsic stains
Extrinsic stains are those that reside on the surface of the tooth. These stains occur from consuming dark-colored foods or drinks that have molecules that stain your enamel. With time, they can become deep-set, even if you brush and floss religiously.
Leading teeth-staining foods include:
- Coffee and tea
- Dark juices
- Red wine
- Berries
- Beets
- Tomato-based products
- Soy sauce
In addition to food items, tobacco use can also lead to brown-tinted tooth discoloration. And if you’re not up to par with your oral hygiene habits, your teeth can take on a brown or gray appearance.
Intrinsic stains
Intrinsic stains stem from issues under the enamel. For example, as you age, the clear, protective enamel on your teeth can start to thin out and wear away.
Unfortunately, this can cause the dentin, which is the middle layer of the tooth, to show through. This can give teeth a yellowish appearance. On top of that, certain medications, trauma or injury, genetics, tooth decay, and excessive use of fluoride can also cause teeth to develop intrinsic stains.
Treating tooth discoloration
No matter the types of stains you have, Dr. Kakosian can help. Here’s how Dr. Kakosian can treat extrinsic and intrinsic staining:
Extrinsic stains
If the stains are on the surfaces of your teeth, Dr. Kakosian can use professional-grade whitening. First, Dr. Kakosian protects your gums and lips from irritation. Then he applies a bleaching solution to your teeth.
Depending on the product he uses, Dr. Kakosian could also use amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) along with a special light to accelerate the whitening process. In-office treatments take about 60 minutes, and they can whiten teeth up to eight shades.
In addition to in-office treatments, Dr. Kakosian also offers take-home whitening kits. While these kits can also provide great results, they will take a bit longer. For example, you may need to use your kit for several hours a day for a week or two.
These systems contain the same professional-strength whitening gel and two custom-made mouthpieces, making them a convenient and affordable option.
Intrinsic stains
If you have intrinsic stains, meaning the discoloration is under your enamel, whitening systems won’t work. However, that doesn’t mean you're stuck with the discoloration.
Dr. Kakosian offers veneers and crowns, which can cover up the stains and make your teeth look great again. Veneers are thin shells that are bonded to the fronts of the teeth that you see when you smile.
Crowns cover the entirety of the tooth, and they’re often used to restore damaged or decayed teeth. However, they can be used to cover severely stained teeth in certain cases.
If you’d like to see your teeth bright white again, Dr. Kakosian can help. He can give you a thorough evaluation and discuss your options. To learn more, call 716-350-0665 or book an appointment online with DentAlign NYC today.
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