One of the most sought-after signature cosmetic dental treatments at Orchard Scotts Dental is Teeth Whitening. Several patients want to whiten their teeth to get that bright Hollywood smile. However, there are some cases where professional teeth whitening won’t do the job.
Before we dive into the options if professional teeth whitening doesn’t work, we must first discuss the types of stains. Our dentists here at Orchard Scotts Dental will identify the type of stain you have on your teeth so we can suggest a suitable treatment.
Types of Tooth Stains
-
Extrinsic stains
Extrinsic stain is the discolouration of the tooth’s outer layer (enamel) due to external factors such as food, beverages, and lifestyle.
What causes extrinsic stains?
- Dishes with food colouring agents such as curry, tomato pastes, and annatto seeds
- Beverages such as coffee, red wine, tea, and cola
- Lifestyle habits such as smoking
-
Intrinsic Stains
Intrinsic stain is the discolouration of the tooth’s second layer, dentin. Dentin is the layer between enamel and pulp (blood vessels and nerve area). This type of stain is caused by internal factors and is much deeper than extrinsic stains.
What causes intrinsic stains?
- Dental trauma such as a punch or fall injury.
- Medications that are taken as a child, such as Doxycycline and Tetracycline
- Antihistamines, high blood pressure medications, and antipsychotic drugs can also discolour teeth
- Internal pulp resorption wherein a pink discolouration can be seen on your tooth due to trauma
- A dead tooth will give a greyish hue to the tooth
-
Age-related Stains
With ageing, teeth become stained over time due to food and beverages. It also appeared to be yellow over time because your teeth’ outer layer (enamel) wears off, thus showing dentin’s yellowish colour. Excessive brushing force all your life can also contribute to wearing off of the enamel too.
Teeth Whitening
The good news is that our dentists can easily correct extrinsic stains with professional in-chair teeth whitening treatment and at-home whitening kits. However, an intrinsic stain is within the tooth, making it more resistant to Teeth Whitening treatments.
Brighten Your Smile with Cosmetic Dentistry
Here at Orchard Scotts Dental, it is very important for us to diagnose the root of your dental discolouration to prevent wasting your time and money. If you have deep-seated stains that professional teeth whitening can’t improve and still want to brighten up your smile, here are a few cosmetic procedures you may consider:
-
Internal Bleaching and Root Canal Therapy
A greyish tooth would usually indicate that the tooth is dead due to trauma or severe tooth decay. Any professional teeth whitening treatment won’t be able to whiten this tooth because it requires removing the decayed tooth tissue inside the tooth through Root Canal Therapy and finish off with Internal Bleaching. Unlike traditional teeth whitening, where whitening agents are applied to the outside of the tooth, internal bleaching is completed from the inside out.
During your dental appointment, a small hole will be made at the back of your tooth. Then, the bleaching material is placed inside the tooth, and the hole will be sealed with a temporary filling material. After a few days or weeks, we will evaluate if we achieved the desired colour of your tooth and is ready for the final restoration.
-
Resin Bonding
Another option to whiten the appearance of your teeth is through Resin Bonding. It is an affordable option if you don’t want to commit to a full smile makeover with Porcelain Veneers.
Resin Bonding or Dental Bonding is a procedure wherein we place a dental resin material directly into your tooth to change the colour and shape. It is meant to even out the size, shape, and colour of teeth or covers any minor issues in your smile.
The downside of resin bonding is that it stains over time and wouldn’t respond to any whitening agent. Maintain your dental bonding bright and white with proper care: frequent visits to your dentist for polishing, avoiding the consumption of staining foods and beverages, and staying on top of your oral hygiene.
-
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneer is a thin shell made of highly durable and stain-resistant porcelain. Each veneer is bonded on top of your existing teeth to cover imperfections of your teeth that are not correctable with Professional Teeth Whitening treatment.
With the advancement in cosmetic dentistry, Porcelain Veneers are an option to achieve visually whiter teeth, including many other smile-improving benefits. When appropriately placed, Porcelain Veneers will not only improve the look of your teeth but as well as their sizes and shapes.
Our Orchard Scotts Dental dentists aim to elevate every smile naturally with Porcelain Veneers that look natural and match your smile for an naturally stunning look.
-
Dental Crowns
Dental crowns, similar to Porcelain Veneers, are made to cover the imperfections of your teeth. It is a cap inserted into a prepared or shaped tooth to cover discolourations and provide more strength if the tooth has tooth decay.
If you have eroded or thin enamel, a dental crown is more suitable because professional teeth whitening agents can make your teeth more sensitive.
Traditional dental crowns are usually fitted in 3 dental appointments or more. Fortunately, here at Orchard Scotts Dental, we offer same-day dental crowns. By manufacturing the crowns on-site at our practice, you can leave with the final restoration on the same day, eliminating the need for you to wear temporary crowns and go back to our practice multiple times.
Book an Appointment with Your Orchard Scotts Dental Dentist Now!
Have you got stubborn tooth stains? Or just not happy with the result of your Teeth Whitening sessions?We are here to help you decide which is the most suitable treatment to brighten your smile!
Get in touch with our dentists today!
Chat with us on WhatsApp @ +65 9643 0490
Call Us at +65 6732 9939
Make an appointment here – https://www.orchardscottsdental.com/contact-us/