Professional whitening
Whitening uses a peroxide gel to lift stain out of the enamel. Professional gel is stronger than anything sold over the counter, and because it's applied with your gums protected, it works faster with less irritation.
Custom take-home trays are made to fit your own teeth, so the gel sits against the enamel rather than leaking onto the gums the way a one-size strip does. A strip is flat, so where teeth are crowded or rotated it can't hold gel against every surface evenly, and the result can come out patchy. You wear the trays for a set time over a couple of weeks.
What whitening won't fix
- Crowns, veneers and fillings — they don't change color, so an existing front filling may end up looking darker than the tooth around it
- Gray discoloration from an old injury or a tooth that has had a root canal
- Staining that goes through the whole thickness of the tooth rather than sitting on the surface
Those cases may need bonding or veneers instead.
Sensitivity
Some sensitivity during whitening is common and settles once you stop. If you already get twinges with cold, mention it — the strength and timing can be adjusted.
Whitening is done after a cleaning, and only once any decay or gum problems have been dealt with. Peroxide on untreated decay or inflamed gums tends to cause sensitivity and irritation rather than a better result.
Bonding
Tooth-colored composite shaped directly onto the tooth to repair a chip, close a small gap, or cover a stubborn stain. It's done in one visit, usually without numbing, and it removes little or no natural tooth. It can be the least-invasive cosmetic option.
Veneers
Thin custom-made shells bonded to the front of the teeth, covering shape, color and small alignment problems at once. Getting them usually means removing a thin layer of enamel, which doesn't grow back — so veneers are a permanent commitment, and worth thinking about properly.
Tooth contouring
Reshaping a small amount of enamel to even up an edge or soften a point. Quick, painless, and useful where the problem is a millimeter of shape rather than color.
Where to start
Schedule an exam to discuss your concerns with Dr. Lee.
Start with a cleaning.
A polish removes surface stain, and you'll know where you're starting from.