There are many causes for discolored teeth. The most common include aging and consumption of staining substances such as coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, red wine, etc. And we have all seen how, during tooth formation, consumption of tetracycline, certain antibiotics or excessive fluoride may also cause tooth discoloration. But this is no longer something one has to live with.



?I think that everyone loves a bright white smile,? Dr. Maddahi says, ?and there are a variety of products and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours. Some people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing twice daily, cleaning between their teeth once a day and with a regular cleaning at the dentist office. But, when the choice is made to go beyond this to make the smile look brighter, I suggest in-office Zoom! whitening system.?

There are other options such as at-home bleaching and whitening toothpastes. ?Zoom!? is a bleaching process that lightens the discoloration of enamel and dentin. (Dentin is bone or calcified tissue that surrounds the pulp cavity of a tooth, it is the calcareous material harder and denser than bone that comprises the bulk of a tooth.)

?If I am treating the patient in the office, then we are most likely to get the most natural looking, bright white smile.?, Dr. Maddahi further explains. ?During chairside bleaching, we will either apply a protective gel to the gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. The bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light is used to enhance the action of the agent. The patient also uses additional product at home to maintain their pearly whites!?

The complete procedure takes less than two hours. The process begins with a preparation period followed by bleaching. (A cleaning is recommended prior to the tooth whitening session.) The Zoom! Light-activated whitening gel's active ingredient is Hydrogen Peroxide. As the Hydrogen Peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin, bleaching colored substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged. The Zoom! light aids in activating the hydrogen peroxide and helps it penetrate the surface of the tooth.

By following some simple post-whitening care instructions, the teeth will always be lighter than they were before. To keep your teeth looking their best, flossing, brushing twice daily, and occasional touch-ups with Zoom! Weekender or Nite White gel are recommended. These are professional formula products designed specifically to keep your teeth their brightest. They are available only through your dentist.

Age, diet and environment are all factors that can make sparkling white teeth off-color or dull looking. But this isn't something you have to live with. Using cosmetic imaging, you can even be shown how white your teeth can become before the actual procedure is done.

Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, has been specializing in creating beautiful, natural smiles and superior dental health for 20 years and is located in Beverly Hills at 436 N. Roxbury Drive, Suite 202 and can be reached at 310-888-7797.