When you have teeth with stains or other unpleasant discolorations on them, you might end up avoiding having to smile as much as possible. You might also avoid showing your teeth while talking to other people, especially if your front teeth are the ones discolored. At M.Y. Dental Spa, located in New York City, Dr. Mimi Yeung offers bleaching or teeth whitening services for patients with stained or discolored teeth. Stop being ashamed of your smile and call or click to make an appointment at M.Y. Dental Spa.
How did my teeth become stained or discolored?
Your teeth can become discolored or stained from any of the following:
- Trauma or injuries to your teeth
- The use of certain medications, such as antibiotics
- Coffee, tea, or other beverages with ingredients that stain teeth
- Natural aging process as the yellowish dentin inside teeth becomes more noticeable
- Poor oral hygiene that can cause tooth enamel to wear away and show the yellowish inner part of your tooth more
Can I use over-the-counter products for bleaching?
You’ll notice that there are many of these products available in stores. While they might seem cheaper and more convenient, they usually don’t do much for whitening teeth.
In some cases, these over-the-counter products can also cause other problems, such as irritating your gums. Using professional bleaching is a better option with more desirable results.
Which professional bleaching treatments are available?
Dr. Yeung offers both at-home and in-office treatments to get your teeth looking bright again. The at-home option involves using a wearable tray filled with a bleaching agent, while the in-office procedure consists in covering your gums for protection and using a bleaching solution on your teeth. Dr. Yeung uses a special light to activate the bleaching agent.
How long does at-home bleaching treatment take?
When you choose at-home bleaching for your teeth, Dr. Yeung provides you with a custom-fitted tray and bleaching agent to use at home. You’ll wear your tray at night for two or three weeks. Dr. Yeung evaluates your results to determine if you need additional bleaching.
How long does in-office bleaching treatment take?
In-office bleaching treatment only takes about one hour to do. You should begin seeing results right away, although this can vary depending on how severe your stains or discolorations were. Keep in mind that you might need additional in-office bleaching treatments to achieve optimal results.
Can bleaching help all stains and discolorations?
There are limitations to what bleaching can do for teeth. In general, it’s useful for yellowish stains rather than dark brown or grayish stains. Bleaching usually isn’t as effective at treating teeth that trauma or medication discolored. Dr. Yeung will evaluate your teeth and let you know if bleaching is a suitable option for you.
If you have discolored teeth, please contact M.Y. Dental Spa to set up an appointment with Dr. Yeung.