Teeth Whitening – 5 Important Questions and Answers

If your teeth have turned yellow due to years of consuming coffee, tea, or tobacco, you may not feel confident about your smile. Fortunately, your dentist in Owings Mills can help. Both over-the-counter and professional whitening systems can bleach away stains with potent peroxide-based agents, and restore your smile to its former beauty. With so many products on the market, choosing one can be confusing. You may have many questions about how whitening teeth works. Following are answers to five of the most common questions dental patients ask about whitening products and systems.
1. Does Insurance Cover Teeth Bleaching Whitening Procedures?
Because whitening teeth is considered a cosmetic procedure, dental insurance does not cover the cost. You may be able to afford the treatments by qualifying for third-party financing through companies like CareCredit and making monthly payments.

2. Will Whitening Teeth Damage Existing Dental Restorations?
Whitening agents do not damage existing fillings. However, they cannot lighten restoration materials, so crowns, veneers, bondings, and bridges will maintain their existing color while natural teeth will lighten during a whitening treatment. If you have your teeth whitened, you may need to have preexisting dental work replaced so that it matches your new tooth shade; this is especially true if any of your highly visible front teeth have been restored.

3. Does Whitening Teeth Damage Tooth Enamel?
Multiple studies of whitening products using 10 percent carbamide peroxide demonstrated no effect on the mineral content or hardness of tooth enamel. For information about stronger in-office bleaching agents, consult your dentist.

4. Do Whitening Products Damage Tooth Nerves?
No evidence to date suggests that tooth whitening procedures damage a tooth’s nerve in any way.

5. 

How Do I Choose the Best Teeth Whitening Method for My Teeth?
Your dentist is the best qualified to determine the best teeth whitening method for you. Call your dentist today, so you can start working together to create a brighter smile.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Owings Mills, call Valley Dental Associates today at (443) 898-1240 or make an appointment.