Teeth Whitening

Teeth can turn yellow for a variety of reasons, including:– Aging (years of cumulative stain and the wear of the outer, white enamel layer of the teeth over time)– Heavy consumption foods and beverages that are more likely to stain (including: red wine, dark teas, coffee, vegetable juices, hot chocolate, soy sauce, etc.)– Smoking– Poor oral hygiene (which creates a thick coat of a yellowing plaque or tartar)– Heavy Grinding (which can wear away the enamel to reveal the yellower layer of tooth structure beneath)Please note that the most common cause of this yellowing is due to poor brushing, which builds up this plaque and tartar, which is more likely to hold the stain than the tooth’s enamel. Once the teeth are cleaned, the yellow often disappears. Whitening is only effective for brightening the enamel itself, and will not do anything for teeth that are not properly cleaned.

Yes. Stained teeth because of antibiotic use (tetracycline-stained teeth) may take longer to be whitened, typically between 1-2 months. Still, Dr. Lazare has experienced success in these patients. Single darkened teeth will lighten over time, and a custom-made night guard for a single tooth to be treated can be made, or if it was a tooth previously treated with root canal therapy, then internal bleaching is suggested with the external bleaching.

The average cost of a teeth whitening treatment in NYC range from $650 to a $1,000 or more, depending on the area in where you live and on the product being applied. Some other treatments, such a laser tooth whitening can be more expensive. Teeth whitening cost can also be financed through several flexible payment plans.

No, but they will blend in with the surrounding tooth color to become less noticeable. In certain cases, the white spots may be buffed out through enamel microabrasion techniques or troughed out and restored with a composite material to help blend.

The majority of the materials used in dental care (including porcelain and composite bonding) will not be affected by the peroxide used to whiten the teeth. Bonding can always be modified to blend with the whitening results and porcelain work may need to be remade to adequately blend. Additionally, teeth with root canals may not be lightened by traditional methods and will require additional intervention treatments, such as internal bleaching.