1. Common Causes of Tooth Yellowing
Most people do not have naturally dazzling, white teeth and often use whitening treatments to create a
healthy, vibrant smile. Whether individuals possess a biologically yellowish tint or white shade,
discoloration in the teeth can happen to anyone once the enamel wears away. Enamel is the white,
outer layer of the teeth and as it wears away, dentin is revealed. This layer of your teeth has a naturally
yellow tone, so the thinner your enamel layer becomes the more yellow your teeth will appear.
Certain food and beverages play a major role in discoloration as plaque from stain-producing substances
builds up over time. These substances include tobacco, nicotine, wine, and coffee as well as acidic
beverages such as soda and energy drinks. The acid from these products sits on your teeth, wearing
down the protective outer layer. Insufficient brushing and flossing also creates a plaque buildup due to
deposits forming on the teeth’s surface. Tooth discoloration can also occur through natural aging. Over
time, the enamel layer thins and the yellow, dentin layer is revealed.
Less Common Causes
A few less common causes of tooth discoloration include disease, medication, and environment.
Treatments for certain conditions may lead to yellowing such as neck radiation and chemotherapy. In
addition, medications for high blood pressure, antipsychotic drugs, and antihistamines can discolor
teeth. Excessive amounts of fluoride from environmental sources or overuse of toothpastes, rinses, and
oral supplements also affect teeth pigment.
Preventing Yellow Teeth
Teeth discoloration can be prevented through simple lifestyle changes including cutting back on coffee
and tobacco products as well as acidic foods. Brushing and flossing should be done regularly with a
dental cleaning every 6 months from your Santa Clara expert in teeth whitening. Reducing snacking in
between meals and rinsing your mouth out before and after meals will help prevent yellow teeth.
Several at home remedies can enhance and control yellow teeth depending on your specific needs and
budget. Whitening chewing gum, trays, and gels are often a quick solution for a cheap price.
In-Office Treatment
For patients with severe cases of teeth discoloration, your Santa Clara cosmetic dentist can assist with
professional teeth whitening options. If your teeth are genuinely discolored, professional whitening is
the most effective option. Bleaching trays and solutions are a common in-office solution, creating a
noticeably whiter smile. Your Santa Clara expert in teeth whitening will determine which option best fits
your needs.

2. Dental Implants Compared to Dentures
Missing teeth can negatively impact you aesthetically as well as cause major damage to your oral health.
Tooth decay, gum disease, and chronic pain may persist along with slurred speech, and difficulty eating
properly. Dental implants and dentures are the most common options for missing teeth, allowing you to
return to your daily activities instantaneously.
Dentures
Dentures are a traditional method when replacing missing teeth but may not be ideal for everyone.
Although there has been a series of improvements, if the adhesive paste is not properly secured, the
dentures might slip out of place while eating or speaking. Partial dentures may also promote infection
and decay if they are not fitted properly, creating risk of needing a tooth filling on the abutment tooth.
In addition, dentures require constant maintenance as they must be regularly removed for cleaning.
Dental Implants
A convenient and satisfying alternative to dentures are dental implants which are designed to create a
stable solution for a natural looking tooth restoration. Rather than using an adhesive, your dental
implants expert in Santa Clara will provide an actual replacement to natural missing teeth. Not only do
dental implants provide the most permanent solution for tooth loss but implants will not slip or move.
Dental implants eliminate discomfort and embarrassment because they are secured directly into the
gum or jaw, serving as an anchor for a dental crown. This method prevents the gums and bones from
deteriorating which can cause facial collapse. Additionally, the tiny titanium screws which act like the
root of the natural tooth, promote healthy bone growth. Dentures however, cause disintegration of
bone material and some patients are allergic to the acrylic used whereas titanium used in dental
implants is bio-compatible.
Investing in Teeth Replacement
Although dentures provide a more affordable, low-cost solution for individuals seeking to replace
missing teeth, there are an abundance of additional costs. When investing in dentures, you must keep in
mind the additional costs of fixatives, cleaning solutions, and replacements, along with discomfort, pain,
and slippage. The durability and longevity of dental implants make them worth the additional cost,
saving you from embarrassment and uneasiness.
Alternative Method
For patients who are concerned about the price of dental implants, another option is available. Denture
implants are a great alternative for both dental implants and dentures. This method allows a set of
dentures to be attached to the implants, so the dentures are not only removable but held firmly in place
as well. Your dentist in Santa Clara will determine which method best suits your needs.

3. How do Teeth Whitening Treatments Work?
Your smile creates an immediate visual impact on the people you encounter every day. A brighter smile
gives the impression of youth, vitality, and radiance. The increasing popularity of teeth whitening
systems has generated various methods which are easily accessible through your Los Angeles teeth
whitening expert or over-the-counter.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Receiving treatment from your Los Angeles expert in teeth whitening is the safest and quickest way to
whiten teeth. In-office whitening procedures are primarily used for patients with aging, yellow teeth and
stains due to coffee, wine, soda, and tobacco. First, your teeth will be polished with a grainy material
called pumice which removes plaque from the surface of the teeth. Your Los Angeles teeth whitening
expert will then place a barrier along your gumline to protect it from the whitening solution. The front
surfaces of the teeth are coated with a bleaching agent, usually consisting of either hydrogen peroxide
or carbamide peroxide. A laser or curing light is often used to add heat to the solution, activating the
peroxide. The whitening product will be left on the teeth for 30-60 minutes to ensure that the optimum
shade has been reached. Once the bleach is removed, you will rinse thoroughly with water.
Another common in-office whitening procedure includes custom fitted trays filled with a bleaching
solution. Your Los Angeles expert in teeth whitening will take an impression of your teeth and then
designate a mouthpiece tray which is filled with a whitening gel. The custom made tray not only
maximizes contact with the whitening gel but minimizes the gel’s contact with gum tissue.
Over-the-Counter Teeth Whitening
Peroxide based gels and strips have become a popular, cheaper solution to over-the-counter whitening.
The gel solution can be applied with a small brush directly to the surface of your teeth, twice daily for 14
days. Initial results are seen in only a few days and final results are continued for about four months.
Whitening strips are a similar product but the peroxide-based whitening gel is coated onto a series of
thin, essentially invisible strips. They are applied twice daily for 30 minutes, for 14 days and also show
sustained results for four months.
Whitening rinses are among the newest products to freshen breath, reduce dental plaque, and fight
gum disease. These products, however, include hydrogen peroxide which whitens teeth within 12
weeks. Whitening rinses should be swished thoroughly for 60 seconds, twice daily before brushing
teeth. This may have less of an effect than whitening strips because the rinse is in contact with the teeth
for such a short period of time.

4. What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are an efficient and visually satisfying solution to improving chipped, stained, or
misaligned teeth. Aimed at creating a natural look, veneers consist of a thin piece of porcelain or
composite resin material which covers the front surface of teeth.
Benefits of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers provide a more conservative approach to masking discolorations, shape, and size of
teeth. Veneers also demonstrate a remarkable longevity, lasting up to 20 years. Cigarette smoke, coffee
and tea stains will not appear on veneers, leaving your teeth to continuously appear white.
Procedure
A consultation with your Los Angeles porcelain veneers expert must be set up to ensure dental veneers
are the appropriate choice. Your dentist may find it necessary to take x-rays and impressions of your
mouth and teeth. Once you decide to move forward with this procedure, teeth must be prepared for the
veneers.
First, your Los Angeles expert in dental veneers will decide if a local anesthetic is necessary before
trimming off the enamel. Less than a millimeter of tooth enamel will be removed as it creates room for
the porcelain veneer and restores natural tooth function. Next, impressions of your tooth will be taken
which will then be sent out to a laboratory. Here, your veneers will be constructed and sent back out to
your dentist within 1-2 weeks. For teeth that appear too unsightly, temporary dental veneers can be
created for an additional cost.
Before teeth are bonded, veneers are placed on your teeth to determine an accurate fit and color.
While the veneers are being adjusted, the color can still be altered with the shade of the cement to be
used. Teeth are then cleaned and etched with an acidic etching gel which creates a roughened texture
on the surface of the enamel. The surface roughness allows the cement to maintain a strong bond with
the tooth’s surface. Cement will then be placed into the porcelain veneer allowing it to be settled onto
the tooth. Afterward, a special light beam will be applied to the veneer which activates the chemicals in
the cement, causing it to cure within moments. The remaining steps include the removal of excess
cement, evaluating your bite, and making adjustments such as trimming and polishing down the veneer.
Post-Treatment
Typically, a follow-up appointment occurs one week after the cementation to evaluate how your gums
have responded to the new veneers. If necessary, your Los Angeles porcelain veneers expert can change
the shape of your veneers after treatment. Though veneers resist stains, it is crucial to continue
brushing and flossing regularly.

5. What is Zoom Whitening?
Zoom whitening is a bleaching process that lightens discoloration of enamel and dentin. Proprietary
technology is used to whiten teeth an average of eight shades in just one hour. This method is ideal for
patients seeking immediate results as Zoom displays visibly brighter teeth instantaneously.
Benefits of Zoom Whitening
Zoom whitening is designed to keep your teeth looking white over a long period of time and only
occasional touch ups are necessary to maintain your new smile. This process is not just effective but is
safe for your gums, teeth, and soft tissues. A majority of patients experience no discomfort at all while
those who do report only experience minor tingling that disappears immediately after treatment.
In-office Zoom Whitening Procedure
The swiftest and most effective way to whiten teeth is through in-office treatment by your Los Angeles
expert in Zoom whitening. Since the tooth bleaching gels contain higher concentrations of peroxide
which work faster to break down stains, treatment is accomplished within one visit.
Your Los Angeles expert in Zoom whitening will first perform a teeth cleaning and oral exam to
determine if your teeth are ready for Zoom bleaching. At your teeth whitening appointment, your lips
and gums will first be covered for protection. Next, the teeth whitening substance, peroxide gel, is
applied by your Zoom whitening expert in Los Angeles. As your teeth are exposed to a Zoom lamp for
three-15 minute increments, hydrogen peroxide in the gel will activate. Oxygen will then seep into the
tooth enamel and dentin, bleaching away any stains.
At-Home Zoom Whitening Procedure
Zoom offers a Day White and Nite White at-home treatment, creating a noticeably brighter smile in one
day and your whitest smile in seven to fourteen days. Your Los Angeles expert in Zoom whitening will
include custom-molded whitening trays which consist of an advanced tooth-whitening formula. This
formula provides many benefits such as rebuilding tooth enamel, reducing tooth sensitivity by 30%, and
adding luster to your smile.
The Day White at-home treatment is best for patients that clench their teeth or who are uncomfortable
with overnight tooth bleaching trays. For optimum results, whitening trays should be worn twice a day
for 30 minutes.
To achieve ultimate performance, the Nite White at-home treatment requires teeth bleaching trays to
be worn nightly. Some patients have seen results within three nights while maximum results are
generally proven within ten to fourteen days.

6. What Makes Zoom Whitening Different from other Teeth Whitening
Treatments?
Teeth whitening systems and products have quickly blossomed in the world of cosmetic dentistry.
Treatments are now designed to please every financial plan, time frame, and temperament. Patients
with healthy, unrestored teeth and gums are ideal for these usages. Options include over-the-counter
gels, rinses, strips, trays, and whitening products along with in-office bleaching and Zoom whitening
treatments. Zoom whitening has become one of the most effective whitening products used by
professionals, displaying immediate, longer lasting results.
Zoom whitening is not only a fast solution to a brighter smile but this product can have long-term
effects, leaving your teeth whiter for years. Unlike standard bleaching and whiteners, your Santa Clara
cosmetic dentist uses lasers to activate the peroxide gel. As the gel breaks down, oxygen seeps into the
tooth enamel and dentin, bleaching away any stains. Immediately following the procedure, teeth are
eight shades whiter. A majority of products must be reapplied consistently and can even take up to
fourteen days to display the full effect of the specific whitening system.
People often purchase convenient at home solutions such as whitening strips and bleaching trays but
these products can be difficult to use, messy, and may not show desired results. Carbamide peroxide
and hydrogen peroxide, the chemicals used in teeth whitening, can irritate soft tissues along with lips,
gums, and tongue. Also, if the gel is swallowed you could potentially end up with an upset stomach,
nausea, or vomiting. Your Santa Clara cosmetic dentist ensures patient safety by covering the lips and
gums before applying the peroxide gel. Additionally, a sensitivity-reducing fluoride paste-gel is applied
to the teeth after the procedure to guarantee ultimate satisfaction.
Whether in-office or over-the-counter, many forms of teeth whitening require multiple visits or sessions
whereas Zoom whitening displays results immediately. Trays and whitening strips may take days before
noticing any results and toothpastes can take months before minor bleaching has occurred. The
sophistication of Zoom technology and strength of the bleaching agent create a noticeable difference
after your visit.

7. What You Should Know about Invisalign
A new cosmetic procedure, Invisalign, has revolutionized the way we straighten teeth. Unlike braces, Los
Angeles Invisalign dentists straighten teeth by using a series of custom-molded aligners. Though braces
have always been the common solution to a brighter smile, Invisalign dismisses the embarrassing wires
that can potentially poke or irritate the mouth. Conveniently, there are many Invisalign providers in Los
Angeles.
Background
Hitting the market in 2000, Invisalign instantly became the most significant and prevalent form of clear
braces ever created. The growth of Los Angeles Invisalign is due to an increase of adults seeking
orthodontic work at a later age. Patients soon became interested in all available orthodontic treatments
as not to disrupt their daily activities. In turn, there has been a growing consumer demand for a product
that fits the customer’s lifestyle. The cost generally ranges from $3,000 to $8,000 with a national
average of $5,000.
Benefits
Invisalign comes with a long list of benefits including comfort and convenience. The changeable aligner
trays are smooth, secure and can be easily removed when eating, brushing your teeth, or engaging in
physical activity. If you do decide to wear Invisalign to an event or outing, the aligners are virtually
invisible and will not be noticed. The aligners also provide less pain and force on the teeth and do not
cause damage to the mouth and gums.
How it Works
The process to attaining a straight, healthy smile through use of Invisalign is simple. First, you must meet
with an expert in Invisalign in Los Angeles. Next, x-rays, pictures and impressions are taken, creating a
start-to-finish 3D movie. The 3D movie demonstrates the series of movements from beginning of
treatment to the final product. Based on your determined treatment plan, aligners are then created
which gradually shift your teeth over time. Every two weeks, a new set of aligners are produced which
advance you to the next stage of your treatment. The process typically ranges anywhere from 6-24
months.
Invisalign Express
A recent improvement to the Invisalign treatment is Invisalign Express. This procedure is recommended
for patients with minor cosmetic issues such as crowding or spacing. The express treatment enhances a
smile and straightens teeth within six months. Not only do aligners have the same material as Invisalign,
but patients share the same level of consultative support, high quality aligners, and computer-generated
design. Your Invisalign provider in Los Angeles will determine which method fits your needs.

8. What are Invisalign Aligners?
Through a series of virtually invisible aligners, Invisalign takes a modern approach to gradually fixing
teeth. Rather than having a mouthful of metal and brackets, our dentist provides patients with “invisible
braces” to straighten teeth. These aligners are designed to offer maximum comfort and can be easily
removed for cleaning, eating, or special occasions.
Benefits
Since Invisalign is virtually invisible, people cannot tell when you are in the process of straightening your
teeth. With this treatment, there is less risk of tooth damage or decay as there are no braces to catch
food and plaque. You can also gain a greater efficiency as the computer technology maps out exactly
how your teeth will align. Along with these benefits, you can easily maintain the same daily oral hygiene
with Invisalign, including brushing and flossing.
Procedure
The Invisalign method is simple as only one impression and photograph of teeth is necessary during the
initial consultation. A three dimensional image of your teeth will be produced by our dentist, once x-
rays, pictures, and impressions have been taken. This image determines how the teeth will move
incrementally with Invisalign, ultimately producing the basis for developing a series of custom-made
aligner trays. Clear attachments will then be bonded to teeth which require the most adjusting.
After receiving the impression, 3D image, and clear attachments, you will receive your aligners which
you will wear for 20-22 hours per day. Aligners will be removed while eating but should be kept on as
long as possible, including overnight. If aligners are not worn for at least 20 hours per day, your teeth
will not have moved to their final position for that specific tray and as you continue your trays, they will
not fit as well. Every 2 weeks, a dentist visit is necessary to have aligners replaced or adjusted.
Gradually, teeth will straighten in small increments, with final results showing in 9 to 15 months.
Refinement Trays
In some instances, not every tooth will have aligned properly and a new set of impressions will need to
be taken. Once the impressions have been taken, new aligners will be made and the process to
straighten your teeth will continue. After this procedure is completed, patients will receive invisible
plastic retainers or fixed retainers which are placed on the inside of the lower front teeth.

9. Lumineers Compared to Dental Veneers
Individuals often seek treatment for cracked, stained, or crooked teeth in order to perfect a stunning
smile. Both Lumineers and traditional veneers are used often and share common traits, making it
challenging to decide which procedure fits best.
How Do Lumineers Work?
Lumineers are an ultra-thin and highly translucent solution which goes over corrupted teeth. A Los
Angeles Lumineers dentist will apply a special bonding and cement to the Lumineer. The surface of the
tooth is cleaned before the Lumineer is placed. Your expert in Lumineers in Los Angeles will then place a
dental dam to prevent the chemicals from seeping between the teeth. After Tenure A and B is applied
which receives the Lumineer, excess cement is removed and the teeth are then reshaped.
Pros and Cons
Unlike veneers, Lumineers are easily reversible. They are also durable and resilient, allowing them to
stay intact for over 20 years. In addition, no shots are required and there is no removal of tooth
structure. Since the procedure for Lumineers moves along quickly, there is no need to wear temporaries
or use anesthesia to minimize sensitivity. However, Lumineers can detach shortly after the procedure or
become cracked. If these problems do arise, repairing Lumineers becomes costly.
How Do Veneers Work?
Veneers are a permanent, thin shell of porcelain that is cemented onto the teeth. First, a half millimeter
of enamel must be removed from the tooth’s surface. An impression of your teeth will be taken by your
Los Angeles porcelain veneers expert. This will then be sent out to a laboratory in order to construct the
precise veneer. In about 1-2 weeks, your porcelain veneers expert in Los Angeles will receive the
veneers. Your dentist will then adjust the fit and color of the veneer before cementing to your teeth.
After your veneers are placed, a special light beam will activate chemicals in the cement causing it to
harden quickly.
Pros and Cons
Veneers are renowned for correcting severe teeth crowding as well as providing a more symmetrical
look. Worn down, chipped, stained, or discolored teeth can easily be altered with veneers as well. Since
veneers consist of shear porcelain, no extra thickness or bulkiness will occur. Though there are many
benefits to veneers, some difficulties may arise. During preparation, teeth are drilled and the tooth
structure is removed, which may cause nerve exposure. Once the veneers are placed, they remain
permanent and cannot be reversed.