Teeth Whitening: Do It Right

Fort Collins dentist teeth whitening

It’s not a news flash to say that we’d all like to have a beautiful smile, and the whitest teeth possible. At The Fort Collins Dentist, teeth whitening is one of the procedures we are asked about the most often.

The reality, of course, is that the color of teeth can vary greatly from one person to the next. In fact, many people have teeth that are yellowish or gray, or otherwise dull and off-color. And that probably accounts for the popularity of whitening toothpastes.

There’s a wide range of these toothpastes in any grocery store, along with whitening strips and similar products. They contain abrasives that polish the teeth, and help to dissolve stains.

Types of Stains

There are two kinds of stains on teeth: extrinsic and intrinsic.

  • Extrinsic Stains: Extrinsic stains are surface stains. We’re all vulnerable to them, because they’re the type of teeth stains that come from things like coffee, cola, and other beverages. Tobacco is also a major staining agent, whether it’s smoked or chewed.
  • Intrinsic Stains: These are stains that are within the enamel of the tooth itself. They are often caused by antibiotics such as tetracycline.

What To Do?

Whitening products from the store can be effective. But they do not have the whitening power of professional teeth whitening. One of the major drawbacks of whitening toothpaste is that the results don’t usually last. They also don’t whiten teeth more than a shade or so, and some patients report sensitivity after using them.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, our teeth whitening can whiten your teeth up to eight shades, leaving you with a brilliant white smile. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor come to our office for whitening and other cosmetic dentistry services. Contact us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 6535


Cosmetic Dentistry vs. General Dentistry

Fort Collins Cosmetic Dentistry

This post from The Fort Collins Dentist describes the ways that general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry are different.

Family dentistry, also called general dentistry, is dedicated to preventing and treating oral diseases such as cavities and gum disease. When a problem is diagnosed, like a cavity between two teeth, a general dentist will establish the best way to restore the tooth involved.

Cosmetic dentists offer elective dental procedures that make a smile more attractive. Available procedures include teeth whitening, dental implants, porcelain veneers, and dental crowns.

Many dentists provide both general and cosmetic dentistry. In some cases there is some overlap. For example, if a patient comes in after receiving an injury that chipped a front tooth, the tooth must be restored to prevent decay. The tooth is also less structurally sound, so it is vulnerable to further damage. In addition, the tooth affects the overall appearance of the smile.

At The Fort Collins Dentist we want our patients to have healthy smiles that look great! General dentistry achieves the first goal, and cosmetic dentistry the second. Find out why patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor trust us with their smiles. Contact us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 2986

3 Smart Smile Solutions

Aesthetic Dental Transformations in Fort Collins

In this article from The Fort Collins Dentist, we take a look at three procedures often used in cosmetic dentistry.

  1. Dental Implants: Implants are transforming dentistry. For most patients, a dental implant is the prime solution for a missing tooth. A dental implant is a metal – usually titanium – rod implanted into the bone to replace the missing root of a tooth that has been extracted. The crown and supporting structure are securely attached to the post. When the final crown is placed, the dental implant is indistinguishable from a natural tooth in function and appearance.
  2. Porcelain Veneers: Dental veneers are thin shells of medical-grade ceramic. We attach them to the front of your teeth to cover chips or cracks, gaps, and other imperfections. they leave you with a fantastic smile!
  3. Tooth Whitening: If you had tooth decay in the past, you may notice staining on your teeth. Professional whitening can lighten your teeth by several shades, significantly improving your smile without the need for an invasive procedure.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, we use cosmetic dentistry to improve the smiles of patients every day. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor also come to our practice for complete general dentistry. Contact us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 886

Your Smile Can Be Brighter and Lighter

Fort Collins teeth whitening

No one can miss a fabulous smile, and a really good one is a valuable asset professionally and socially. If you’d like yours to be brighter and lighter, cosmetic dentistry from The Fort Collins Dentist can deliver!

With our professional-grade teeth whitening services, we can dramatically brighten your smile in a single office visit. Imagine: You walk into our office for your scheduled appointment, with teeth that have grown dull and yellow over the years. When you leave, you’re flashing a brilliant new smile.

We have two whitening options for you: in-office whitening, which can brighten and lighten your smile in a single office visit, and a powerful at-home kit that lets you proceed are your own pace.

At The Fort Collins Dentist teeth whitening is just one of our cosmetic dentistry services. We’ve brightened smiles of people all over Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor. Contact us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 8572

Looking For A Red Carpet-Caliber Smile?

porcelain veneers price Loveland

When you see photos of celebrities, do you ever wonder how they project such perfection? Can ordinary people ever achieve anything approaching it? When it comes to sensational smiles, the answer from The Fort Collins Dentist is a resounding “Yes!” – with the help of cosmetic dentistry.

There are many effective cosmetic dentistry procedures that can produce great results. Complete smile makeovers combine various procedures to transform your smile. These are the same procedures used by dentists serving the Hollywood A-list.

One of the most common is teeth whitening. Professional whitening from a dentist surpasses any whitening product you’ll find at the store.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, teeth whitening is just one of our cosmetic dentistry procedures. People from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor leave our office with red-carpet caliber smiles! Call us to schedule an appointment today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 6242

The Ultimate Anti-Aging Treatment

Fort Collins Pediatric Dentistry

If your teeth have grown yellow and dull over the years, professional teeth whitening from The Fort Collins Dentist can restore the natural beauty of your smile, and take years off your appearance.

Toothpaste Can’t Erase All Stains

Tooth enamel, while one of the toughest substances in the body, is porous. Over time, the food and drinks that come in contact with our teeth bring about staining and discoloration.

There are plenty of toothpastes on the market that claim to whiten teeth, but their effectiveness has its limitations. You have probably noticed this already.

Powerful Peroxide

Professional-grade teeth whitening uses powerful peroxide that can whiten teeth up to ten shades. It is the safest, most convenient way to achieve a fabulous white smile.

Having your teeth whitened professionally can be a huge boost for your self-confidence. You’ll look younger, and find it easier to make a positive impression on other people.

To schedule a teeth whitening appointment, please call us at The Fort Collins Dentist. Patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor also come to us for complete restorative dentistry. Call today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 416

Whitening For 3 Types Of Tooth Stains

Fort Collins Teeth Bleaching

One of the most common requests we get at The Fort Collins Dentist is for teeth whitening, one of our cosmetic dentistry services.

Everyone, it seems, would like to have teeth that are whiter. Our teeth tend to grow dull or get stained as the years go by: it’s just an unfortunate fact of life.

There are three types of stains on teeth:

  • Extrinsic stains are on the surface of teeth. They’re the easiest to remove, and are caused by things like coffee, tea, wine, cola, smoking and the aging process.
  • Intrinsic stains form beneath a tooth’s enamel. They can be lightened but it may take a bit longer. They may be the result of trauma, tetracycline antibiotics, infection, or other factors.
  • Combination are teeth with both extrinsic and extrinsic stains.

We have two options: in-office whitening and at-home whitening. Our in-office whitening takes about two hours to complete, and leaves you with a brilliant, dazzling smile. The at-home whitening also delivers fantastic results, but lets you proceed at your own pace. Both of them surpass any over-the-counter whitening products.

At The Fort Collins Dentist we’ve improved countless smiles with teeth whitening. Patients from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor also come to our office for dental implants and much more. Call to schedule an appointment with us today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 4835

Professional Teeth Whitening In Fort Collins

Professional Teeth Whitening at The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry

A beautiful smile leaves a lasting impression. Professional teeth whitening from The Fort Collins Dentist can dramatically improve your overall appearance and give you a boost in self-confidence.

Our teeth often turn yellow or gray as we age. The things we eat and drink continually such as colored sodas, coffee and red wine can make that discoloration even worse.

There are a lot of over-the-counter whitening products at the store, and most of them do a pretty good job whitening your teeth. But none of them are as effective as professional teeth whitening.

We offer Zoom!® Teeth Whitening and GLO Whitening, both of which leave you with a brilliant, dazzling smile in less than an hour. There is also an at-home whitening kit that delivers fantastic results, but lets you proceed at your own pace.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, teeth whitening is just one of the cosmetic dentistry procedures we use to improve smiles every day. We’ve whitened the smiles of people from Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor. Schedule an appointment with us to find out what we can do for your smile!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 592

Tooth Whitening: What The ADA Has To Say

Windsorf cosmetic smile makeover

When a cosmetic dentistry procedure becomes popular, it’s natural to want to see what all the fuss is about. But at The Fort Collins Dentist we think it’s also a good idea to know what the American Dental Association has to say, in particular about procedures such as teeth whitening.

The ADA advises patients to speak with with a dentist before starting any bleaching regimen. An oral examination will help us know if teeth whitening is right for you. This is especially critical when you have dark stains on your teeth or multiple crowns and/or fillings.

Everyone, it seems, would like to have teeth that are whiter. The good news is that it has never been easier to achieve. Just take a look at all the whitening products that are available in any grocery store and you’ll see what we mean. From whitening toothpastes to strips and other products, there is a lot to choose from, though none can match the results you’ll get from professional whitening.

At The Fort Collins Dentist, teeth whitening is just one of the cosmetic dentistry procedures we use to improve smiles every day. We have improved the smiles of patients throughout Loveland, Timnath, Wellington, and Windsor. Call our office to schedule an appointment today!

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526

ArticleID 6599

Whitening Teeth at Home: Yes or No?

Young woman examining her new smile in a mirror while at the dentist in Fort CollinsThe pursuit of whiter, brighter teeth is a $3.2 billion-a-year global industry. Suffice it to say, many of us are searching for a prettier smile. But walking down the toothpaste aisle of your local store can be almost dizzying with options. How do you know what works and what doesn’t work? How can you tell what’s safe and what isn’t? And if you buy an over-the-counter whitening product or device, are you really saving any money over professional whitening? Here’s what you need to know about bleaching your teeth.

When it comes to whiter, brighter teeth, bleaching with the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide is the gold standard used by dental professionals as well as many over-the-counter bleaching kits. Unfortunately, while at-home kits tend to be less expensive than professional whitening services, they do carry with them a high level of risk.

For starters, many of these kits can contain upwards of 25 percent hydrogen peroxide, a dangerous level if applied incorrectly. To put it into perspective, in the United Kingdom, where products containing hydrogen peroxide are regulated by the government, even dentists can only use products containing 6 percent hydrogen peroxide!

Why? Because hydrogen can damage enamel as well as gums. Unfortunately, because whitening kits are classified as cosmetic and not medical products here in the United States, there are no data on how often this type of injury occurs, as cosmetic manufacturers are not required to submit that data to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Another popular ingredient that is widely available here in America, sodium chlorite, was recently investigated in a study published in the British Dental Journal. The study found that sodium chlorite was more likely than any other over-the-counter ingredient to cause permanent damage to the tooth enamel.

So, what can be done for those of us who want whiter teeth? Look no further than your dentist. Yes, in-office whitening treatments are a bigger investment up front, but with better, longer-lasting results and the benefit of being done safely and accurately, it can actually save you money in the long run. Other safe and effective ways to whiten teeth at home include brushing twice a day and flossing at least once a day, not smoking, and avoiding foods that stain the teeth.

To learn more about teeth whitening and oral hygiene, contact Dr. Lesko’s office at 970-221-5115.

Contact The Fort Collins Dentist Family & Implant Dentistry:

970-221-5115

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

2001 S Shields St Bldg L
Fort Collins, Colorado
80526