Start the New Year With a Whiter Smile

If your teeth are looking a little dull, why not consider getting a professional teeth whitening treatment? Giving your smile a little star treatment is the perfect way to get 2020 started! With new year just around the corner and you’re worried that you don’t have time to brighten your smile just in time for celebrations, check out the teeth whitening options that we offer here at Shenzhen AKJ Dental Clinic!

For extrinsic stains which are those only on the surface of the teeth which are a results of smoking, drinking, tea and consuming dark colored foods then a scale and polish will need to be done first and after the dentist will be able to see whether whitening treatment is required. For some patients who only want to remove surface stains then whitening treatment is not required but for patients who want to enhance the whiteness of their teeth then whitening treatment is required.  

For a whiter smile there is quite a few options. Depending on the situation of the teeth the following treatments can be considered:

1. Cold-light Whitening: 30 – 60 Minutes

Cold-light whitening is suitable for teeth that are slightly discolored and for teeth that are not damaged. This method uses whitening agent which is activated by light and is the quickest option for clients that are strapped for time.

2. Veneers: 7 – 14 Days

Veneers are thin shells of material fitted to the surface of your natural teeth and requires at least 2 appointments to make molds for the veneers to be made. The whole process usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. Veneers are suitable for clients who have damaged teeth which are discolored and not to severe.

3. Dental Crowns: 7 – 14 Days

Dental crowns are similar to veneers which cover your natural teeth, a dental crown covers your entire natural tooth so your natural tooth will have enamel removed for the dental crown to fit. This method can be completed in the same amount of time like veneers and is suitable for clients who have severely damaged teeth and discolored teeth. 

Tobacco & Tea Stains: How to Remove Them

Smoking and drinking tea both stain the teeth and over time the teeth will become yellow and if left untreated it can even turn black. So what options are available?

Why do teeth turn yellow with smoking and drinking tea?

Long-term smokers will find that their teeth are stained and often yellow and sometimes even develop black stains this is a normal symptom. Apart from drinking tea even consuming dark colored foods can also affect the color of teeth. However, there is no need to worry, in most cases the pigmentation and discoloration is only on the surface on the teeth and can be removed with a dental cleaning and dental sandblasting.

Most people know that even after the stains have been removed the teeth can only be restored to its original shade of yellow. For individuals who want to improve the overall shade of their teeth then whitening treatment is required. At Shenzhen AKJ Dental Clinic we highly recommend our cold-light whitening treatment where patients can see at least a 5 shade improvement after treatment.

How is cold-light whitening treatment done?  

Whitening agent is applied to the teeth and a LED light is used to speeds up the reaction of the whitening agent. It's a fast, easy way to whiten your teeth with the whole treatment complete in 1 hour. It’s a great option for individuals who need a quick fix.

How long does cold-light whitening results last?

Cold-light whitening results can last between 1 to 2 years but will depend on how patients look after their teeth after the treatment. For the results to last smoking, drinking tea and coffee should be avoided or should be cut back. Also limiting the amount of dark colored food consumed is also important. However, getting cold-light whitening treatment again after a 1 to 2 year period is also safe and does not harm the teeth as it’s a non-invasive procedure. 

How Much Does it Cost to Remove Tea Stains From Teeth?

Drinking tea is always a good way to wind down and relax throughout the day and with the many health benefits associated with drinking tea it has become increasingly popular to drink a few cups a day. However, there is the saying that too much of a good thing can be bad, drinking too much tea can stain the teeth due to tannins. So how much would it cost to brighten your smile again and remove tea stains from teeth?   

The two best options for removing the stains from the teeth would be to visit a professional dental clinic to get a dental clean (scale &polish) or get whitening treatment such as cold-light whitening.

1. Scale & Polish

A professional dental clean with the use of a ultrasonic scaler and dental sandblasting the tea stains on the surface of the teeth can be effectively removed. After the ultrasonic scaling by polishing the surface of the teeth it can prevent stains from settling on the surface of the teeth.

Tip: A scale and polish only removes tea stains on the surface of the teeth and restores teeth to its original shade and state but it will not improve the overall shade of teeth.  

2. Cold-light Whitening Treatment

Another option for removing tea stains is using cold-light whitening treatment. Cold-light whitening treatment is carried out by applying whitening agent on the teeth and a LED light is used to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

Prices of a scale and polish start at approximately few hundred RMB and can sometimes exceed a thousand RMB.As for cold-light whitening treatment costs are estimated at over a thousand RMB. Therefore, which option is better for you will depend on the current state of your teeth, so it’s best to visit a professional dental clinic and have a examination and consultation.

Teeth Whitening for Intrinsic Teeth Stains

It is still possible to carry out teeth whitening treatment for intrinsic teeth stains. The treatment process will be slightly more complicated than whitening for extrinsic teeth staining. For extrinsic stains which are stains on the outer enamel of the teeth can usually be removed with a scale and polish. Whereas intrinsic stains discolorations and stains affect the teeth from the inside out. Therefore, whitening for intrinsic stains is more expensive.

What causes intrinsic teeth discoloration and staining?

Intrinsic staining is staining of the dentin, or the inner layer of teeth. It can be caused by an internal problem or from certain medications. For example the use of tetracycline, too much exposure to fluoride or trauma in a permanent tooth.

How much does teeth whitening for intrinsic stains cost?

1. For intrinsic stains that are mild with no damage and just slight discoloration and staining then patients can try cold-light whitening and bleaching. In some cases the results are very good and in some cases results are not so good. Therefore, results will depend on individual cases.

2. If bleaching is used then the price can range from over a 1,000 RMB to 3,000 RMB. The price is based on the whitening for the whole mouth. The treatment can take between 30 minutes to 1 hour. Results can last from 1 to 2 years and is the most cost effective treatment.

3. If there is already damage to the teeth and there is already enamel loss then the only options left are veneers or dental crowns. With veneers a thin layer of material will be fitted to the surface of the tooth to cover the natural tooth. Whereas a dental crown will cover the entire tooth. Both options provide good results, but will require enamel to be removed from the tooth.  

Costs for veneers will depend on the veneer material, composite veneers cost approximately 1,000 RMB whereas porcelain veneers are more expensive costing 3,000 RMB. Dental crown costs will also depend on the materials chosen, all porcelain crownS can cost 4,000 RMB. 

Professional Whitening Vs. At Home Light Based Whitening Kits

The latest teeth whitening trend is the at home light based whitening kits which have been posted on Instagram by many celebrities. So can the home light based whitening kits give the same results as professional whitening?

The at home light based whitening kits can be seen across social media with users claiming that the results are amazing and just a fraction of the price compared to professional whitening and also the light device is portable and convenient and can be taken anywhere. Let’s take a quick look and see whether this kit is all it’s cracked up to be.

How is professional cold-light whitening carried out?

Before the treatment the dentist will use the VITA shade guide to let you choose the shade of white and then use the right amount of whitening solution to create the results. Patients will firstly have a barrier to protect gums and will have to wear protective glasses, the whitening agent will then be applied to the surface of the teeth. Then a professional curing light will be used to activate the solution and the teeth will gradually whiten.

At Home Light Based Whitening Kits

With at home whitening kits you need to first do a shade comparison and take a photo. Then put the whitening gel evenly on the mouth piece and then put the lights device into your mouth and wait between 20 to 30 minutes then remove.

Difference Between Professional Whitening & At Home Whitening Kits

1. With professional whitening, the dentist will provide a solution which will give you the results that you are after, whereas at home whitening kits all use the same solution and there is no protection on for gums unlike professional whitening.

2. Whitening treatment done by professional can give results in just 40 minutes whereas at home whitening kits need to be done several times before results are visible.

3. Professional whitening is considered safe and adheres to safety guidelines. Although the majority of whitening kits in the market are considered safe there are still some kits in the market which are not safe to use.

Shades of White: Teeth Whitening All You Need to Know

Can professional clinical teeth whitening give visible results? How many shades whiter can I expect? Here’s a quick guide to the shade improvement of teeth after teeth whitening treatment.

For the best teeth whitening results it’s best to visit a clinic as home teeth whitening results might not give the most visible results. One of the most common questions asked by patients is how many shades whiter will me teeth be after whitening?

At clinics the is usually two types of treatment available which is using whitening agent or using prosthetics. Cold-light whitening is now the most commonly used type of whitening treatment. For those considering prosthetics then veneers and dental crowns are the most popular form, however the downside is you will need to have enamel removed from the teeth to fit the veneer of crown.  

So using the different methods of whitening how many shades whiter can your teeth get?

  

1. Cold-light Whitening: Generally speaking you can expect a 5-10 shade difference. Of course this will vary for every patient. Most patients can expect a 5 shade difference which is very noticeable. The advantage of cold-light whitening is that it can be redone to further improve the shade.

2. Veneers & Crowns: The shade of the veneers and crown need to be chosen in advance and the dentist will advise that the shade chosen should match your natural teeth or you can choose a shade which is whiter but that would mean fitting veneers and crown on the teeth that are visible when you smile.

For the best results and the best shade of white visiting a professional dental clinic and getting a consultation is vital. During the consultation you can communicate with the dentist about the type of results you want and the dentist will give their advice about the best type of treatment suitable for your needs. 

Home Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Whitening Treatments

What’s the difference between at home whitening systems and clinical whitening treatments? There are still a lot of clients that don’t know the difference between costs and results of these two types of whitening treatments.

Teeth Whitening at Clinics

Teeth whitening at clinics are carried out by professional dentists. Special equipment will be used along with whitening agents and the most commonly used whitening treatment these days is cold-light whitening. The biggest advantage of getting your teeth whitened at a clinic is that the procedure is done by professional dentists so there will be guaranteed results. The treatment is quick and takes approximately 30 minutes and the difference in the shade of teeth is noticeable. The only downside is that after the treatment you will have to avoid teeth staining foods and beverages for the results to last.   

At Home Whitening Systems

At home whitening systems have become increasingly popular as the treatment can be done at home at anytime. A dentist will provide gum trays and tell patients how much of the whitening agent should be added to the trays. The advantage of whitening at home is you can do it by yourself and you can maintain whitening results, however if not done properly then the results will be directly affected.

For more visible whitening results it would be best to have the treatment done at a clinic as the dentist can provide advice and provide a treatment plan which is better for you. In comparison with at home whitening systems which are carried out by yourself there is the possibility that you can damage your teeth if you don’t carry out the treatment as instructed by your dentist.

Prices

In terms of prices whitening treatment at clinics and at home whitening systems work out at roughly the same price. Whitening treatment done at clinics cost approximately 2,000 RMB and if you also want to add a at home whitening system so you can maintain the whiteness of your teeth then if could work out at about 3,000 RMB. 

Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures Aren’t Suitable For Everyone

there are 5 types of patients that cannot go through with these types of treatment. These procedures can include braces, veneers and teeth whitening.

Whether a patient is suitable or not for cosmetic dentistry treatment can only be confirmed once a professional dentist had carried out an examination. However, the following type of patients most definitely cannot get orthodontic treatment:

Patients with gingivitis or periodontitis must go through treatment before even considering orthodontic treatment if not the position of the teeth are not stable and are possibly even loose.

Those suffering from high blood pressure or heart disease may not be able to handle cosmetic dentistry procedures so they must consider their own health and wellness.

Patients with contagious illnesses and disease are not suitable for cosmetic dentistry procedures.

Blood related illnesses and blood clotting disorders are also not suitable.

Patients with malignant tumors in the mouth or other acute inflammation are also not considered.

Teeth Whitening Treatment After Removing Veneers

After the removal of veneers is it better to continue with veneers or consider cold-light whitening? This is one of the considerations of patients who get veneers fitted. However, whether you can go ahead with whitening or continue with veneers will depend on the condition of your teeth.

Some patients have composite resin or porcelain veneers fitted and then want to remove the veneers because they are not happy with the results. Once the veneers are removed patients often want to go straight away for cold-light whitening treatment so can this be done?

Whether or not you can go ahead with cold-light whitening after the removal of veneers will depend on the situation. The main reason being that before veneers are fitted a layer of enamel will have been removed from your teeth.

Even though the veneer has been removed, damage to the surface of the tooth exists, also removing the veneers is time consuming and can be complicated. During the removal process it is inevitable that the tooth surface will be damaged.

To carry out cold-light whitening treatment, it is advised that the surface of the teeth should not be damaged as it can affect the results. Therefore, it is advised that if you were not happy about the color of the veneer then after the removal you could consider porcelain veneers as with damaged teeth veneers give much better results.

What if after the removal of the veneers you don’t want to fit new veneers and don’t want whitening treatment? Once the veneers are removed your may discover that the teeth are sensitive and might perhaps affect the overall aesthetics of your teeth. It must be emphasized that you need be aware of dental hygiene, if there are no cavities or gum disease then you can continue with the way your teeth are without further procedures. 

How Much Does it Cost for a Hollywood White Smile?

How do celebrities get their Hollywood white smile? A lot of fans are desperate to know their secret! There are currently quite a few options for those who want the perfect smile, prices start at 2,000 RMB to 8,000 RMB and possibly more. So which option is best for you?

 A lot of international celebrities are admired for their perfect white teeth and fans often want the same, despite the fact that they know the teeth are possibly fake they still want the “Hollywood White Smile”.  

How Much Does a Hollywood White Smile Cost?

Hollywood white smile is a flawless bright white smile which is loved by celebrities. Currently the options below are the best methods to achieve that great smile.

1. Cold-light Whitening Treatment

This treatment uses whitening agent to bleach teeth, suitable for the degree of discoloration of teeth. It is usually possible to choose the shade of white that you want to achieve. For some patients, there should be no problem in getting that Hollywood white smile.

2. Veneers

This is where a thin layer of material is place over the tooth to improve the aesthetics of the tooth surface. A thin layer of enamel will have to be removed from the tooth before the veneers can be fitted. The shade and material of the veneers can be chosen by patients.

3. Dental Crowns

A dental crown is placed over a existing tooth so the enamel of your existing tooth will have to be filed down for the dental crown to fit. Dental crowns can enhance the shape and color of your teeth as your existing teeth will be covered.

In terms of prices, cold-light whitening costs start at 2,000 RMB whereas veneers and dental crowns are substantially more expensive. Prices for veneers and crowns are based on per tooth, prices range start at 3,000 RMB per tooth and with more expensive materials you can expect costs to reach 8,000 RMB per tooth.

Tip: You should visit a dentist for professional advice, the Hollywood white smile is achievable with the above methods, but we must emphasize that the Hollywood smile is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, you should go to a professional consultation at a clinic before going ahead with any procedures as any treatment that involves removing enamel cannot be reversed.

How Much is Professional Dental Whitening Treatment?

Has your confidence been affected by your teeth? Especially when you see that others have a bright white smile? Want to get your teeth whitened professionally but afraid of the price tag that comes along with the treatment? Here’s a quick guide to professional teeth whitening. 

Teeth whitening is becoming one of the most sought after procedures at dental clinics and in today’s world of glamour everyone wants to look good. White teeth goes with any lipstick from the glamour of red to the fun barbie pink. However, how much does a professional whitening treatment cost?

Firstly, there are different types of dental whitening treatment and therefore there are different prices. For example cold-light whitening can cost 2,000 Yuan for one treatment, veneers have starting costs at approximately 1,000 Yuan and dental crowns are the most expensive with prices ranging from 4,000 Yuan to over 10,000 Yuan.

For those who are worried about the costs of dental whitening treatment there is no need to worry, before any treatment can be carried out you will first have to get a check-up done by a dentist. Once the dentist has identified the type of staining on the teeth which can be any of the following: smoking stains, tea stains, tetracycline or fluorosis. There is also the need to consider if there is any damage to the tooth and in doing so the whitening treatment plan can be devised.  

You can search up on the type of whitening treatment before you visit a dentist and during your consultation with a dentist you can directly inquire about costs.

Fluorosis can be Removed with Scale & Polish?

A lot of patients seem to think that a scale and polish can solve stains on teeth. A scale and polish is only a part of dental hygiene and cannot be viewed as a form of treatment or solution.  

Fluorosis is where the teeth are laced with white markings and slightly discolored. In more serious cases of fluorosis staining can range from yellow to dark brown. Aesthetically speaking for those who have fluorosis this is usually the biggest confidence let down. So can a scale and polish improve fluorosis?

Scale & Polish Can Fix Fluorosis?

There is often the misconception that any staining brushing can’t remove a scale and polish can sort it. However, this is not the case below are the reasons why.

A professional scale and polish can only remove stains and pigmentation on the surface of the teeth, stains usually caused by wine, tea or eating dark colored foods. Also dental calculus and plaque build-up which cause discoloration can be removed. In such cases a scale and polish coupled with dental sandblasting can restore the teeth to their natural color.  

It must be emphasized fluorosis is not an external stain but develops due to high levels of fluoride ingestion when teeth are developing. Therefore, a scale and polish are unable to remove fluorosis as it’s not a surface stain.  

Whitening Treatment for Fluorosis

If fluorosis is only slightly yellow on the teeth then you inquire about using bleaching methods to improve the shade, for example cold-light whitening.

If the teeth affected by fluorosis are damaged then cold-light whitening is not considered an option. This is when veneers are recommended which a choice between composite resin veneers, porcelain veneers or using crowns to cover the teeth.