Dental discoloration is a common ailment millions of people around the world suffer from. There are two main causes why a tooth can get discolored:
1. Extrinsic causes:
This occurs when the outer layer of the tooth, also known as the enamel is stained. Certain food, drinks and habits such as coffee, wine, cola and smoking can cause extrinsic stains.
2. Intrinsic causes:
This occurs when the inner structure of the tooth, also known as the dentin, gets dark or yellow tinted. Some causes of this type of discoloration include:
- Too much exposure to fluoride during early childhood.
- Use of tetracycline antibiotics by your mother during the second half of pregnancy.
- Use of tetracycline antibiotics before the age of 8 years old.
- Trauma during childhood of a tooth.
- Trauma in a permanent tooth.
- You were born with dentinogenesis imperfecta. A condition that can cause gray, amber or purple discolorations.
- Age-related causes:
This occurs due to a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic causes. With age, the dentin, or the inner structure of your teeth, naturally yellows and the enamel, or the outer layer of the tooth, gets thinner, allowing the dentin to show.
Due to the availability of whitening treatments and procedures, people around the world are actively searching and purchasing in-home and in-office teeth whitening treatments.
From chewing gum and whitening strips to tray-based and laser whitening, people are increasingly seeking products that will give them a better, brighter smile; which is why teeth whitening Costa Rica has been one of the most sought topics on the Internet due to the great work of our dentists and low costs.
The goal of teeth whitening is to eliminate external stains on the teeth caused by extrinsic causes such as tobacco and the pigments contained in food and beverages, especially if proper dental hygiene is not maintained.
In the enamel, there are millions of microscopic pores that, over time, allow the passage of organic compounds that penetrate the dentin and cause the discoloration process.
In Costa Rica, we have the latest teeth whitening technology to help recover the color and vitality of your teeth in a conservative and non-invasive way.
Types of Professional Teeth Whitening Procedures
There are many types of teeth whitening procedures, but the ones that have proven to successfully whiten the teeth color by several tones without damaging the teeth are the ones performed by dentists.
In Costa Rica, just as in America, our dentists offer the most popular and modern techniques:
- Teeth Whitening with LED Light
The technique of teeth whitening with LED light lasts about an hour, and whitening is achieved in one or two sessions, as the case may be.
The steps of the procedure are:
- The soft tissue is isolated.
- A gel (based on hydrogen peroxide) is applied.
- The gel is activated by means of led light.
With this technique, the effects of whitening lasts for months, depending on the patient’s oral hygiene
- Teeth Whitening with Trays
With this technique, whitening trays are made by your dentist and are perfectly molded to fit your teeth. These trays should be applied for an approximate period of three weeks, every night. As the weeks go by, the patient can see how their teeth get whiter.
Costs of Teeth Whitening in Costa Rica
Teeth whitening prices in Costa Rica start at $250 while in the United States they start at around $600. Professional home whitening kits are around $500 in the States but just $150 in Costa Rica.
Teeth Whitening Considerations
Any teeth whitening treatment, whether it’s with LED lights or trays should not be performed if there are:
- Cavities
- Periodontal disease
- Plaque
Your dentist should evaluate your teeth and their condition prior to applying any whitening treatment.
Keep in mind, the time it takes to whiten your teeth safely depends on the type of discoloration you have. Talk to your dentist before deciding to whiten your teeth, as the process may not correct all types of discoloration.
For example, yellow teeth will probably clear up well, brown teeth may not respond as well, and teeth with gray tones may not clear up at all.
Keep in mind that teeth whitening does not work in:
Teeth whitening is also ineffective if the cause of the discoloration is due to medications or a dental injury.
It is important to remember that you will not be receiving inferior treatment or an inferior whitening brand in Costa Rica just because the price is lower.
So, if you decide to visit Costa Rica and get a whitening treatment, we suggest you try coffee before your appointment, as it is considered one of the best in the world, since afterwards you will not be able to do it for a few days.
Enjoy a holiday in Costa Rica and return home with a brighter smile. If you want more information about this procedure please contact us.