Teeth Whitening

In-office teeth whitening is the perfect solution for patients who want fast, immediate results. Using the Zoom system, we can whiten your teeth up to eight shades in just one visit. The procedure typically takes about an hour, making it an excellent option for patients with busy schedules or those who want a brighter smile before a special event.

Here’s what you can expect during your Zoom whitening treatment:

1. Preparation: First, your gums and lips are protected to ensure the whitening gel only touches your teeth.
2. Application: A hydrogen peroxide-based gel is applied to your teeth, breaking down the stains and discoloration.
3. Activation: The whitening gel is activated using a specialized light, which helps the whitening solution penetrate the enamel more effectively.
4. Rinse and Reveal: After the treatment is complete, you’ll be amazed by your brighter smile!

This is the best way for many patients to achieve quick, effective results with minimal discomfort. If you experience tooth sensitivity after the treatment, our team will provide aftercare instructions to help minimize any discomfort.

At-Home Teeth Whitening

In addition to in-office treatments, we also offer customized take-home whitening kits. These kits include custom-made trays that fit your teeth perfectly and a professional-strength whitening gel that you can apply in the comfort of your home. Home teeth whitening is ideal for patients who prefer a more gradual approach or want to maintain their results after an in-office session.

Here’s how at-home teeth whitening works:

1. Impressions: We take impressions of your teeth to create custom-fit trays. These trays ensure that the bleaching agent is applied evenly and effectively.
2. Whitening Gel: You’ll receive a whitening gel with the correct concentration of hydrogen peroxide for safe use at home.
3. Daily Use: You’ll wear the trays for a specific period each day, depending on Dr. Hamidy’s recommendation. Patients will usually see a significant difference in just a few weeks.

In-office and at-home teeth whitening treatments are designed to provide excellent results while maintaining the safety and comfort of your tooth structure and surrounding tissues.

Tooth discoloration is a common concern for many patients, and it can occur due to a variety of factors. Understanding the causes of tooth discoloration can help in choosing the most effective whitening treatment. Here are the most common reasons for tooth discoloration:

• Aging - As we age, the enamel on our teeth naturally wears down from years of chewing, biting, and exposure to acidic foods. This thinning of the enamel makes the dentin, the inner layer of the tooth that has a more yellowish color, more visible. Dentin is also more porous than enamel, which means it absorbs more stains over time. This explains why even people with good oral hygiene may notice their teeth looking yellow or dull as they age.

• Diet - Certain foods and beverages are notorious for causing stains on the teeth. Coffee, tea, red wine, and soda contain chromogens, which are pigments that cling to enamel. Additionally, acidic foods and drinks can weaken the enamel, making it more prone to staining. Foods high in sugar can also feed bacteria in the mouth, leading to the production of acids that further wear down enamel. This combination of staining pigments and acidity gradually leads to darker, yellowed teeth over time.

• Tobacco Use - Both smoking and using chewing tobacco can cause deep, stubborn stains on the teeth. The nicotine and tar found in tobacco are the main culprits. Nicotine is colorless, but when combined with oxygen, it turns into a yellowish compound that can easily stain teeth. Over time, these stains can penetrate deep into the enamel, making them difficult to remove without professional treatment. Tobacco use also contributes to gum disease, which can make discoloration worse by affecting overall oral health.

• Poor Oral Hygiene - Failing to maintain proper oral hygiene—such as not brushing and flossing regularly—can lead to a buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth, and if not removed, it hardens into tartar, which has a yellow or brownish hue. Over time, this buildup can cause your teeth to appear discolored and can also lead to other dental issues such as cavities and gum disease.

• Medications - Certain medications can also cause tooth discoloration, especially if taken during tooth development. For instance, antibiotics like tetracycline and doxycycline can cause gray or brownish discoloration when taken by children whose teeth are still forming. Additionally, some high blood pressure medications, antihistamines, and chemotherapy drugs can lead to staining or discoloration in adults. This type of discoloration often requires more intensive whitening treatments to correct, as it can penetrate deeper layers of the tooth.

For patients with sensitive teeth, professional whitening treatments can still be a safe and effective option. At La Jolla Dental Image, we offer treatments designed to minimize sensitivity, such as KöR Whitening, which uses a unique whitening solution combined with desensitizing agents to reduce discomfort. Additionally, potassium nitrate and fluoride treatments can be applied after whitening to further reduce sensitivity issues.

After your teeth whitening treatment, it’s important to follow Dr. Hamidy’s advice to keep your smile looking bright for years to come. Here are some tips for maintaining your results:

• Brush and floss daily to remove food particles and bacteria that can lead to staining.
• Avoid foods and beverages that are known to stain teeth, such as coffee, tea, and red wine.
• Use a straw when drinking dark-colored beverages to minimize contact with your teeth.
• Schedule regular dental checkups and cleanings to maintain optimal oral health.
• Consider using whitening toothpaste or at-home touch-up kits to keep your smile bright in between treatments.