213 Hallock Rd, Suite 4A, Stony Brook, NY 11790
Congratulations! Now that you've completed orthodontic care and your braces and active orthodontic appliances have done their job, it's time to enjoy the benefits of a straight and beautiful smile.
At the office of Straight Smile Orthodontics, we provide skilled care to create smiles that are as beautiful as they are healthy.
When braces come off or you have completed care with other orthodontic appliances, the result includes a more well-aligned, attractive, and functionally healthier smile. However, the whiteness of each smile is another matter. The whiteness and vibrancy of every smile are different.
Although some people have inherently white and vibrant teeth, many do not. How white teeth look depends on how they reflect and scatter light. Teeth can appear dark or discolored for any number of reasons. An imperfect appearance can result from surface stains or discolorations inside the tooth. While external tooth discoloration is typically due to certain foods and tobacco, internal tooth discoloration is mainly the result of genetics, certain medications, tooth decay, restorations, and trauma. Aging also plays a significant role in tooth color. As the outer layer of enamel becomes thinner with age, it increases the inner layer of yellowish dentin's influence over a tooth's appearance.
For orthodontic patients, other factors can also contribute to how white one's teeth look after treatment. Sometimes, stains and decalcifications around braces emerge due to inconsistent oral hygiene, diet, and other habits during treatment.
Our office values your trust and the investment you have made in your smile and takes pride in achieving results every patient is confident sharing. It's why we frequently recommend enhancing your newly aligned smile with a teeth whitening procedure!
As a rule, the healthiest and most effective teeth whitening methods are managed and supervised by a dental professional. You can count on our office to recommend the most effective, safest, and most satisfying professional-strength options to whiten, brighten, and lighten your smile!
While an overwhelming selection of over-the-counter teeth whitening products is readily available for purchase at stores or online, it's imperative to keep in mind that the healthiest and most effective methods of care are those professionally supervised by your dentist. With a teeth whitening procedure provided by our office, we can safely, comfortably, and effectively transform your smile by up to several shades in a short amount of time.
Teeth whitening offers a simple and non-invasive to whiten and brighten your smile. Whitening products contain various strengths of biologically safe hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide that act as bleaching agents on stained or discolored dental enamel. By breaking the stains into smaller pieces, these bleaching agents make the color less concentrated and your teeth brighter.
Every patient is different, and despite the fact that many people experience no sensitivity or pain with a professional teeth whitening, there are some that do. Although considered a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure, some temporary discomfort during and following the procedure may ensue. It helps to stick to room temperature beverages for a few days following a teeth whitening. You can also take over-the-counter pain medication as you would for a headache. If you have a history of sensitive teeth, we may select a gentler formulation of whitening products or an alternative procedure.
It's essential to keep in mind that every patient has unique needs and specific requirements of care. In general, individuals with yellow tones to their teeth respond best to teeth whitening. Brown and grayish tinted teeth bleach respond less well and may require significantly longer dentist-supervised tooth whitening regimens or alternative cosmetic treatments. Finally, teeth whitening may not be recommended in the presence of sensitive teeth, worn enamel, and significant gum disease.
For darkly stained teeth, a whitening procedure may not provide the cosmetic results desired. In these cases, we'll talk about alternative options such as porcelain veneers or full-coverage crowns.
Teeth whitening only works on natural teeth. The fact that whiteners do not affect the color of existing dental fillings, veneers, bonding, crowns, or bridges on the front teeth remains an important consideration when choosing the best cosmetic option in care.
As a rule, the healthiest and most effective methods of teeth whitening are the ones managed and supervised by your dentist. You can count on our office to provide the most effective, safest, and satisfying professional-strength options to whiten, brighten, and lighten your smile! Stay away from over-the-counter products, which may be overly abrasive or put the health of your teeth and the surrounding soft tissues at risk. While these products may work when healthy teeth and gums are present, they're often ineffective or problematic when sensitive teeth, exposed roots, cavities, broken fillings, cracked teeth, or loose dental work are the case.
How long your teeth whitening lasts depends on your lifestyle. Your eating, drinking, and smoking habits can have a significant impact on maintaining your result. Of course, the best way to ensure that your smile stays healthy and beautiful is a good daily oral healthcare regimen, along with regular dental checkups and cleanings.
It's essential to keep in mind that as a cosmetic dental procedure, a teeth whitening may not be covered by your insurance plan. We understand the financial considerations involved in care and do our best to help you get the treatment you need without any additional stress or day. We offer several payment options and financing plans to make things easier.
