Whitening vs Bleaching for Tooth Discoloration in Timonium

“Whitening” and “bleaching” get used as if they mean the same thing, but they don’t quite. Whitening is the broad term for anything that makes teeth look whiter, including simply removing surface stains. Bleaching specifically means using a peroxide agent to lighten the color of the tooth itself. The more useful question for anyone with tooth discoloration, though, is which kind of stain you have, because surface stains, deep stains and stained dental work each need a different answer, and some discoloration won’t respond to either one.

This article explains the two terms, the difference between surface and deep (intrinsic) discoloration, when whitening won’t work, and when dental bonding or porcelain veneers are the better fix at the Timonium office of Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS.

Whitening and bleaching: what the terms mean

Whitening

In everyday use, whitening covers any product or treatment that makes teeth look brighter. That includes a professional cleaning that removes stained plaque and tartar, and whitening toothpastes that polish away some surface staining. These approaches restore the tooth toward its natural shade but don’t change the color of the tooth underneath.

Bleaching

Bleaching uses a peroxide agent, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to lighten the tooth’s color, not just clean its surface. Whitening strips, whitening gels in trays and professional in-office whitening all fall into this group. The laser power whitening at Dr. Haywood’s office is technically bleaching: a laser activates the hydrogen peroxide in the whitening agent to dissolve stains.

In a dental office, people usually just say “teeth whitening” for both. What matters more is matching the treatment to the stain.

Surface stains vs deep stains

Surface (extrinsic) stains

Extrinsic stains sit in the outer layer of enamel. They build up from coffee, tea, red wine, cola, deeply colored foods and tobacco, and from plaque that isn’t removed well. These stains usually respond well to cleanings and to professional teeth whitening.

Deep (intrinsic) stains

Intrinsic discoloration comes from inside the tooth. Common causes include:

• Age. Enamel wears and thins over the years, letting more of the yellower layer beneath show through.
• Injury. A tooth that was hit can darken, sometimes long after the injury.
• Certain medications. Some medications taken while teeth were still forming can leave gray or brown banding.
• Too much fluoride in childhood. This can leave white or brown marks in the enamel.
• How the enamel developed. Some teeth simply formed with uneven color.

Intrinsic stains are harder to lighten. Bleaching may soften them, but it may not lighten them enough for the result you want.

Dental work that looks stained

Fillings, bonding, crowns and veneers don’t respond to whitening at all. An older tooth-colored filling that has picked up stain, or one that no longer matches after the teeth around it are whitened, needs to be polished or replaced, not bleached.

Why a tooth can discolor all of a sudden

Gradual yellowing over years is usually age and habit. A change you notice quickly deserves a closer look:

• One tooth turning gray or dark. This can happen after an injury, even an old one, and can mean a problem with the nerve inside the tooth. Have it examined before anything cosmetic. If treatment is needed, a root canal can often save the tooth.
• Brown or dark spots. These can be stains, but they can also be decay.
• Staining around the edge of a filling. An older filling may need attention.
• A new habit. More coffee, tea or tobacco can change the color of your teeth faster than you might expect.

A tooth can be discolored without being dead, but only an exam can tell the difference.

What professional whitening can do

For surface stains and general yellowing, professional whitening is often the simplest effective treatment. At the Timonium office, every whitening plan is customized to your specific needs. Treatment starts with a thirty-minute in-office whitening treatment, then a laser is applied for 1 to 2 hours to activate the hydrogen peroxide, significantly increasing the rate and efficacy of the whitening agent and helping it reach stains where they like to hide. See the teeth whitening page for details, or read the Timonium teeth whitening guide for what the appointment involves.

If your teeth are very dark, Dr. Haywood can counsel you and explain your options before you begin, so you know what to expect.

When whitening won’t work

Whitening is not the right tool when:

• The discoloration is deep, gray or banded and hasn’t lightened with treatment.
• The stain is on a filling, crown, veneer or bonding.
• One tooth is much darker than the rest.
• The tooth is also chipped, worn or misshapen, and color is only part of the problem.

In those cases, covering the discoloration can give a more even result than trying to bleach it away.

Bonding, veneers and crowns for stains whitening can’t fix

Dental bonding

Dental bonding applies tooth-colored composite resin to the tooth and can repair discoloration, chips and gaps, usually in a single visit and typically with no anesthesia. It is one of the most affordable cosmetic procedures. The trade-off is that resin can stain, and direct bonded veneers have a shorter lifespan, averaging 8 to 10 years.

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers are thin shells bonded to the front of the teeth that can correct discolored or stained teeth. Porcelain resists stains better than natural teeth or composite. Over a tooth that is very dark, a veneer may need to be more opaque or thicker in places to hide the color beneath. For healthy teeth, prepless veneers can brighten teeth without whitening, with little or no drilling.

Crowns

When a filled front tooth has chipped or stained and veneers aren’t a suitable solution, a crown may work well. To compare the two, read crown or veneer for a front tooth.

If you are weighing these options, a smile evaluation with cosmetic imaging shows possible changes on screen before treatment begins.

A sensible order of treatment

When whitening and dental work are both part of a plan, whitening often comes first. Fillings, bonding and veneers are matched to a shade when they are made, and they won’t lighten afterward. Talk through the order at your consultation so everything matches in the end.

Paying for treatment of tooth discoloration

Fees depend on the treatment you choose and are discussed after your exam. The practice is out of network with all dental insurance providers: you pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim so your plan can reimburse you for whatever it covers. HSA and flex plans are welcome for eligible care, and financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months. See financing options.

Frequently asked questions

Is bleaching the same as teeth whitening?

Bleaching is one kind of whitening: the kind that uses a peroxide agent to lighten the tooth’s color. Whitening can also mean simply removing surface stains.

Can a tooth be discolored but not dead?

Yes. Many discolored teeth are healthy and simply stained or aged. A single tooth that turns gray or dark, especially after an injury, should be examined, because it can signal a problem inside the tooth.

Why are my teeth discoloring all of a sudden?

New habits, stained fillings, decay or a problem inside one tooth can all cause a quick change. An exam finds the cause before you spend money on whitening.

Will whitening fix gray teeth?

Gray discoloration often comes from inside the tooth and may not lighten enough with whitening. Bonding or porcelain veneers can cover it when bleaching can’t.

Have your tooth discoloration checked in Timonium

Find out what is causing your discoloration and which treatment will actually work. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. The office is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093. Patients near Towson can also read about teeth whitening for stained teeth.