Professional Tooth Whitening in Santa Barbara

Before we talk about tooth whitening, there’s one myth that has to be busted right now. No matter what we thought in the eighties and nineties, there is no “perfect white” shade for everybody’s smile. Just like the color blue comes in countless shades- just check out any deluxe crayon set- the one-size fits all “Hollywood” smile is a total myth. In reality, tooth color is more like skin tone- everyone has their own unique variation, and that’s the one you’ll look the best in. Nowadays, a good Santa Barbara cosmetic dentist can work with you to restore the healthy, pristine, unique shade of white that comes naturally to your teeth. The restoration procedures they use mostly depend on the type of staining or damage your teeth have sustained. How Stain Types Effect Restoration There are several ways your teeth can become stained or damaged. Tobacco products and certain types of foods cause surface staining. Do you smoke? Check out how cigarette smoke turns those white filters a nasty yellow-brown, and you won’t have to wonder why your teeth are less than white these days. Likewise, it’s easy to make the connection between the clothing staining capabilities of coffee or red wine and the effect they can have on your nice white teeth over time and repetitive use. Fortunately, these surface stains are the easiest to get rid of. You may have tried and been disappointed by over the counter whitening or bleaching systems, but the professional whitening and teeth cleaning procedures Santa Barbara dental practitioners offer are far more effective and reliable. The only drawback? Unless you’re willing to make some serious lifestyle changes, the effects will be temporary. You’ll need to repeat treatments every one to three years at least. Other tooth stains require more drastic measures. Certain medications, such as tetracycline, can discolor your tooth enamel through and through, as can tooth decay and trauma, which cause the tooth to look “grayed out.” Natural aging is another perpetrator of deep down tooth yellowing. Because these stains are not superficial, they won’t be affected by any amount of professional cleaning or bleaching. Instead, Santa Barbara cosmetic dentists will recommend dental laminates. Dental Laminates currently come in two forms: veneers and lumineers. Though both are made with porcelain and provide near identical and beautifully natural looking results, there are a few crucial differences in the application process. Veneers are thicker, and require extensive shaving of your original teeth. This means that they are ideal for covering up dark, severe stains, and even minor chips or alignment issues. However, the process removes so much of your original tooth structure that it is permanent. Lumineers, on the other hand, require only minimal etching to prepare the bonding surface. This means that if you change your mind at a later date, the lumineers can be removed and your teeth smoothed back to their normal condition. Because they sit more upon the surface of your teeth, lumineers are significantly thinner than veneers, and that makes them effective in covering normal staining or discoloration. Whatever you choose, work with a dentist who understands that natural beauty doesn’t come in a cookie cutter format. You want a smile that reflects who you are, and you aren’t like anyone else.