Over time, the mineral composition of a person's teeth changes and they become darker, thus whitening can be a conservative approach to creating a younger appearance of one's smile. It can also be used to remove staining that has accumulated through the years due to different diets, smoking or even some antibiotic therapies.
With Opalescence BOOST in office teeth whitening solution, peroxides break down into oxygen radicals, which migrate between the enamel prisms, breaking down any colored molecules that result in tooth discoloration. The structure of the tooth is not altered; the internal tooth color is simply made lighter. Bleaching agents break down into tiny molecules and move in all directions so even if the entire tooth is not covered with bleach, the entire tooth is whitened.
Of course we are all created unique and there are limits to the whiteness of each patient's teeth. If the desired shade is not attained, other options such as cosmetic veneers may be recommended.
There are multiple types of tooth whitening options available including in-office BOOST! Whitening, professional strength gels in custom bleaching trays and professional strength Opalescence GO or Crest White Strips. These options are best discussed with your dentist or hygienist in order to determine which one best suits your particular situation.
