With nearly 20 years of experience, Dr. Ardalan Zahedi, BDS, DDS, DMD, is a leading general and cosmetic dentist in Austin, Texas. At Unique Smile Dentistry, Dr. Zahedi provides a wide variety of dental services to improve both the appearance and the health of your teeth including Invisalign, crowns, bridges, dental implants, and root canals. He also offers emergency dental care and extractions when necessary.
Dr. Zahedi is uniquely trained in dentistry, holding advanced dental degrees from three different countries. After training abroad in India and Iran, he moved to North America and completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry in Toronto, Canada. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of General Dentistry, and the Texas Dental Association.
Dr. Zahedi is committed to providing the best possible treatments and care and frequently attends continuing education programs and conferences to stay up-to-date with cutting-edge dental technologies and practices. He empowers his patients to take control of their personal and professional lives through his work that gives them gorgeous smiles to boost their confidence.
Professional teeth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the color of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile.Over-the-counter products are also available, but they are much less effective than professional treatments and might not be approved by the American Dental Association (ADA).
As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away, eventually revealing a darker or yellow shade. The color of our teeth also comes from the inside of the tooth, which can become darker over time.Smoking and fluids such as coffee, tea, and wine can also contribute to tooth discoloration, making teeth yellow and dull. Sometimes, teeth can become discolored from taking certain medications as a child, such as tetracycline. Excessive fluoridation (fluorosis) during tooth development can also cause teeth to become discolored.
Its important to have your teeth evaluated by your dentist to determine if youre a good candidate for bleaching. Occasionally, tetracycline and fluorosis stains are difficult to bleach and your dentist may offer other options, such as veneers or crowns to cover up such stains. Since teeth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is also important to evaluate any old fillings, crowns, etc. before bleaching begins.Once the bleaching is done, your dentist can match the new restorations to the shade of the newly whitened teeth.
Home teeth whitening systems:At-home products usually come in a gel form that is placed in a custom-fitted mouthguard (tray), created from a mold of your teeth. The trays are worn either twice a day for approximately 30 minutes, or overnight while you sleep. It usually takes several weeks to achieve the desired results depending on the degree of staining and the desired level of whitening.
In office teeth whitening:This treatment is done in the dental office and you will see results immediately. It may require more than one visit with each visit lasting 30 to 60 minutes. While your gums are protected, a bleaching solution is applied to the teeth. A special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent while the teeth are whitened.
Some patients may experience tooth sensitivity after having their teeth whitened. This sensation is temporary and subsides shortly after you complete the bleaching process, usually within a few days to one week.