Teeth whitening, or bleaching, systems come in many forms. Dr. Locke offers professional home whitening kits, complete with custom-fitted trays and potent bleaching gel. He also has Zoom! Whitening, a one-visit system that yields amazing results. If you aren’t looking for super-powered whitening, you can purchase whitening toothpaste, mouthwash, strips, and gels at the pharmacy. For mild teeth whitening, over-the-counter systems work well. For more significant results, use a prescription-strength system. It all seems pretty simple.
But what if your tooth stains don’t respond to home whitening or prescription whitening?
Fluorosis is a white, horizontal stain that occurs when fluoride is ingested. Most often, children who swallow fluoridated toothpaste end up with fluorosis stains on their teeth. The bleach-white lines don’t respond to external teeth whitening of any type, but whitening can lighten the rest of a tooth’s enamel so that fluorosis is less noticeable.
Tetracycline medications, like antibiotics, can also stain teeth. The stains vary from yellow to brown, and they usually do not respond to external whiteners of any strength.
Fluorosis, tetracycline, and other intrinsic stains don’t have to ruin your white smile. As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Locke offers cosmetic bonding and porcelain veneers to cover unsightly tooth enamel. These minimally invasive procedures will give you a bright, bold smile. Bonding and veneers can pull double duty. In addition to permanently whitening teeth, these restorations can alter the shape, size, and overall appearance of front teeth.
For more information on teeth whitening systems for extrinsic or intrinsic staining, call Waco dentist Dr. Corbet Locke today and reserve your consultation.