What is teeth Whitening?
Bleaching is a very conservative and non-invasive approach to creating a brighter and more appealing smile. Teeth can often take on a darker and unattractive appearance with age or from contact with staining substances. The discoloration can be caused by tobacco, coffee or tea, juices, poor hygiene, genetics, and natural aging.
There are two commonly used methods for bleaching: at-home and in-office. Both begin with an office consultation to determine if the patient is a good candidate for the bleaching process. The at-home technique is the most popular and least expensive. The in-office method allows the dentist to place a higher concentration of bleach over the teeth. At-Home Method A custom mouth piece or "tray" is made to fit your teeth by the dental office. This tray fits over the patient’s teeth and holds the bleaching material against the teeth for a specified period of time. There are different concentrations of bleach that are worn via the tray for one to five hours per day for an average of 10 to 14 days. The regimen will be determined by the dentist and may differ for each patient. If the teeth become more sensitive to hot and cold, a "desensitizing" material may be used in the same tray on alternating days. Results are usually excellent with this method. In-Office Method The gum tissues are covered to protect them from being irritated by a higher concentration of the bleaching material. The bleach is then activated by a high intensity light or a laser to accelerate the process. This method is usually repeated at separate appointments and is considerably more expensive than the at-home method. Most patients require a touch-up after one to five years, depending on the patient’s habits and desires.
Teeth Whitening or commonly referred to bleaching is the removal of intrinsic and extrinsic stains that can accumulate on the tooth surfaces making them appear dark. This removal of stain whitens the teeth to appear whiter and brighter. Differing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and also carbamide peroxide are used in a custom tray to control the time and concentration of gel used. The time of use can range from 15 minutes to wearing them over night dependant on sensitivity levels and concentration of gel used.
As a youngster, your teeth very likely started out sparkling white. Over the years, however, the natural aging process and your lifestyle (smoking, or drinking coffee, tea, or wine) may have stained your teeth. There are even some prescription drugs and medical conditions that could have caused tooth stains. But for most people, stains are the result of aging as well as discoloration caused by pigmented substances entering the mouth. Coffee, tea and red wine stain by seeping into the tiny natural holes in your teeth. Teeth whitening is a safe procedure in which concentrated peroxide gel is placed in contact with the stained teeth. Carbamide peroxide is the preferred choice for the bleaching agent and it comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, 22%). The peroxide breaks up stains and allows more light to be reflected back, creating a white winning smile. Our practice is trained in the use of an efficient whitening procedure known as Zoom Bleaching.
Unlike porcelain veneers, regular teeth are porous and susceptible to staining. Teeth stain at different rates depending on mouth chemistry, diet and lifestyle. This means that how easily teeth stain and how easily they whiten varies from person to person. There are numerous methods on the market today that range in price and ease of use. The premise behind most teeth whitening methods is essentially the same – a form of hydrogen peroxide finds its way into the pores of the teeth and bleaches stained particles. The variable is in the type of application and the corresponding strength of the whitening gel. What works well for one person may not work well for another. At Incredible Smiles, we recommend a complimentary consultation before making a choice so that your time and money are well spent.
Teeth bleaching, which is also known as teeth whitening or teeth lightening, is a common procedure in general dentistry but most especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. Many people consider white teeth to be an attractive feature of a smile. A child’s deciduous teeth are generally whiter than the adult teeth that follow. As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foodstuffs and tobacco.
