If you’re interested in having your smile lightened, we recommend that you first talk with us regarding your specific goals, so that we can evaluate how teeth whitening might impact your particular situation. Some people are simply better candidates than others for successful whitening treatment. For example, if your teeth are darkened to a yellow, brown or orange tinge due to age, coffee, tea, or smoking, chances are very good that teeth whitening will bring satisfactory results. However, if your teeth are a dark gray tone from fluorosis, smoking or tetracycline use, whitening results may be a bit less dramatic; plus, whitening does not lighten artificial materials such as resins, silicates or porcelains.
Finally, teeth with periodontal disease or worn enamel typically do not respond well to whitening. In any case, after whitening, your new, brighter smile will be preserved the longest if you’re willing to forgo such habits as smoking, drinking coffee and drinking tea.