Tooth Whitening

In Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario

There are many different causes of discolouration of the teeth. The most common relate to genetics, age, old fillings, excessive fluoride, antibiotic staining and consuming substances that have staining properties. This is why teeth whitening procedures are so popular and why Willow Dental of Mississauga, Ontario offers some of the best whitening techniques available.

Tray Whitening

A tray whitening procedure is performed by placing a whitening gel in a tray that is designed to fit over your teeth. These trays can be bought over the counter, but are not a custom fit for your own teeth, so they are not as efficient as the trays your dentist uses.

The active ingredient in the gel is carbamide peroxide. This peroxide breaks down and oxygen enters the enamel of your teeth and bleaches the coloured substances in them. No change to the structure of the tooth happens during this procedure.

Zoom! Tooth Whitening

Zoom! is a bleaching process that lightens discoloured dentin and enamel. Your dentist can perform the Zoom! whitening procedure in less than an hour. It is recommended that you have a teeth cleaning session performed before this, or any other whitening procedure is performed for optimal results.

The gel used in Zoom! procedures, which contains hydrogen peroxide as its active ingredient, is activated by light. The breakdown of the peroxide and the bleaching of the enamel and dentin is the same as in the tray whitening procedures. But, the light helps to activate the gel and helps the gel to penetrate the surface of the teeth. There is generally a 26% increase in effectiveness with the use of the Zoom! lamp.

To learn more about tooth whitening and any other cosmetic dentistry procedures you are considering, please contact Willow Dental in Mississauga, Ontario today.