Professional Teeth Whitening in Roseville, CA
Professional teeth whitening can lighten natural teeth affected by selected stains or age-related discoloration. The amount of shade change varies according to the starting tooth color, type and depth of discoloration, and individual response to treatment.
Eureka Ridge Dentistry offers teeth whitening in Roseville, CA for patients who are appropriate candidates for cosmetic whitening. A dental evaluation can help identify the type of discoloration and determine whether treatment is suitable. Contact the office to schedule a consultation and discuss your whitening goals.
How Does Professional Teeth Whitening Work?
Professional whitening uses bleaching agents, commonly hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to break down color-producing compounds within natural tooth structure and lighten its appearance.
Whitening changes the color of natural tooth structure through a chemical bleaching process. However, it has several limitations:
- It won’t change the color of crowns, veneers, fillings, or any dental bonding.
- It does not remove plaque or hardened tartar.
- Some types of discoloration respond better than others.
- A specific final tooth shade cannot be guaranteed.
- Existing restorations may appear different in color after the surrounding natural teeth are whitened.
Before beginning teeth whitening services, an evaluation can help identify the type of discoloration and dental concerns that may need attention first.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Tooth color can change for several reasons. Discoloration may develop on the surface of the teeth or within the tooth structure.
Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains develop on the outer tooth surfaces and may be associated with:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Red wine
- Tobacco
- Dark-colored foods and beverages
Some surface stains may be reduced during a professional dental cleaning. Whitening works differently by changing the color of natural tooth structure.
Intrinsic Discoloration
Intrinsic discoloration develops within the tooth and may be associated with:
- Natural aging
- Dental trauma
- Certain medications
- Fluorosis
- Tooth development
- Changes within a nonvital tooth
Deeper discoloration may respond differently to conventional whitening. Depending on the cause and extent of the discoloration, another cosmetic or restorative approach may be considered.
Who May Be a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Candidacy for whitening depends on oral health, the cause of discoloration, existing restorations, sensitivity, and treatment goals.
Potential candidates may have:
- Healthy teeth and gums
- Stains or generalized discoloration
- Realistic expectations about shade changes
- No untreated cavities
- No leaking restorations
- A treatment plan that accounts for visible crowns, veneers, fillings, or bonding
Whitening may need to be delayed or modified when a patient has:
- Active tooth decay
- Gum inflammation
- Exposed root surfaces
- Cracked teeth
- Significant tooth sensitivity
- Worn enamel
- Untreated dental pain
- Extensive visible restorations
Because restorations do not respond to bleaching in the same way as natural teeth, their location and shade should be considered when planning treatment.
What Happens During Teeth Whitening?
The whitening process can vary according to the system used and individual treatment needs. In-office treatment may involve the following steps:
- Dental and health review: Relevant health information, dental concerns, and previous experiences with tooth sensitivity are discussed.
- Oral examination: The teeth, gums, and existing restorations are evaluated for concerns that may affect whitening.
- Discoloration assessment: The type and extent of staining are reviewed to help estimate how the teeth may respond.
- Initial shade assessment: The existing tooth shade may be documented as a reference.
- Soft-tissue protection: The lips and gum tissue are protected as appropriate for the whitening system.
- Whitening gel application: Bleaching material is applied to the natural teeth being treated.
- Treatment cycles: The whitening material may be applied in one or more cycles according to the selected system and treatment plan.
- Final assessment: The teeth are reevaluated, and aftercare instructions are provided.
The length and number of appointments depend on the whitening method and individual treatment plan.
Sensitivity and Other Whitening Considerations
Short-term tooth sensitivity and gum irritation can occur during or after whitening. Other considerations include:
- Differences in color between whitened natural teeth and existing restorations
- Limited response from certain types of intrinsic discoloration
- The need to consider existing sensitivity before treatment
Contact the office if sensitivity is severe, persistent, or accompanied by dental pain or other concerning symptoms.
Teeth Whitening vs Other Cosmetic Options
Whitening is primarily intended to change the shade of natural teeth. Other treatments serve different purposes.
| Treatment | Primary Purpose |
|---|---|
| Dental Cleaning | Removes plaque, tartar, and some surface stains but does not bleach natural tooth structure |
| Teeth Whitening | Lightens the shade of natural teeth that are appropriate for bleaching |
| Dental Bonding | Uses tooth-colored composite resin to mask selected discoloration or modify tooth shape |
| Porcelain Veneers | Cover the front surfaces of selected teeth to modify color, shape, size, or proportion |
Composite bonding, crowns, veneers, and tooth-colored fillings do not become lighter through conventional whitening. When whitening and new cosmetic restorations are both planned, treatment may be sequenced so the restoration shade can be selected after whitening.
Maintaining Your Whitening Results
Tooth color can gradually change after whitening because of diet, tobacco exposure, oral hygiene, and natural aging. There is no single maintenance or touch-up schedule appropriate for every patient.
Practical steps include:
- Brush and floss each day.
- Attend recommended dental exams and cleanings.
- Rinse with water after dark-colored beverages.
- Limit tobacco use.
- Follow individualized recommendations for whitening touch-ups.
- Use whitening toothpaste only when appropriate.
- Avoid abrasive or unverified home whitening remedies.
- Report new sensitivity or uneven color to the dentist.
Schedule a Teeth Whitening Consultation in Roseville
A consultation can help assess if professional whitening is suitable for your teeth and cosmetic goals.
If you are searching for teeth whitening near you, contact the office at 1490 Eureka Rd, Suite 130, Roseville, CA 95661, or schedule an appointment online to discuss your whitening options.
