Dental Bleaching
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When is Dental bleaching necessary?
The decision to have dental bleaching done is a personal choice. Some people make the decision to have dental bleaching done because they want to feel more attractive and younger. The treatment of dental bleaching is recommended for people who are unsatisfied with the appearance of their teeth.
Dental bleaching improves stains on the enamel and the dark or yellow look of the teeth.Teeth may darken due to age, or due to what you drink and eat. The teeth might become discolored or even stained by tetracycline. However, heavy tetracycline stains do not respond to the dental bleaching treatment
How does Dental bleaching work?
There are five different dental bleaching techniques:
Professional whitening: The substance used in this method of dental bleaching is Peroxide. In some cases, a “curing light” is also used in order to accelerate the dental bleaching process. In most techniques, mouth trays are used. They fit on the teeth and are filled with a paste or gel that contains bleach.
The trays should also be used at home. Additional instructions such as how to use it and how often will be given by the dentist. The dental bleaching procedure is usually done between 7 to 10 days, when the patient feels satisfied with the appearance of their teeth. In order to maintain the new color, additional dental bleaching treatments might be also necessary.
Laser treatment: This dental bleaching treatment is much faster and effective; however, it is more expensive and is not performed by every dentist.
Micro-abrasion: In this dental bleaching technique, the enamel is polished with a mixture of hydrochloric acid and pumice. Stains are then removed together with a thin layer of the enamel.
Home whitening: Available at drug stores, this form of dental bleaching might not be as effective as professional dental bleaching because it is not supervised by a professional dentist. Special attention is needed when using home whitening because the mouth tray should not reach the gums. Reaching the gums might cause irritation.
Whitening toothpastes: Whitening toothpaste is the most popular solution of dental bleaching. It is an easier way to whiten teeth. They lighten the color of the teeth; however, is a long-term treatment and has to be used at least twice a day. Whitening toothpastes are also recommended following a professional dental bleaching, in order to maintain results.
Who cannot have Dental Bleaching done?
Dental bleaching is not recommended for people who have fillings, especially in the front teeth. The filling is not composed of the same material as natural teeth. This way, they would respond differently to the dental bleaching treatment, resulting in a color difference.
Other option for Dental Bleaching
If the patient cannot have dental bleaching done, Porcelain Veneers might be an effective solution. Veneers do not discolor and are permanent and durable.
Is it long-lasting?
In order to ensure positive dental bleaching results, the patient should maintain healthy dental habits, such as regular brushing and the use of floss and whitening toothpastes.
The patient should also schedule six monthly consultations for scaling and polishing. Following dentist’s instructions should help you maintain the whiteness. If not, additional treatments might be necessary.