Tooth whitening is the way to a brighter smile! It's the least invasive dental treatment that can change your smile and make you feel more positive and increase your self-esteem.
Appearance is important to all of us and we realise that our mouths and our smiles are the focus of considerable attention, as we go through our daily routines.
If we feel good about our appearance, we feel good ourselves. These good feelings in turn result in better relationships with those around us.
Q. What is tooth whitening?
A. Tooth whitening is a process of lightening the colour of teeth. The solutions employed have been used in dentistry for many years.
The whitening process is most effective on mildly discoloured teeth. Darker stains such as those caused by antibiotics, take longer to respond to treatment. The degree of whitening will vary from patient to patient, depending on the structure of the tooth and the duration of the time and system used. Grey teeth take longer to respond.
Q. What causes tooth discolouration?
A. Some teeth are naturally too pigmented or stained as they develop.
Exposure to tea, coffee, juices, wines, colas, or tobacco accounts for much of the darkening as we age.
Tooth discolouration sometimes happens from mineral antibiotics or an excess of fluoride as taken internally during tooth development.
Old fillings, tooth nerve damage, or trauma to teeth can account for darkening.
Q. What is 'Home bleaching'?
A. The technique utilizes a vacuum formed plastic device, called a tray that holds the gel in contact with your teeth. The tray is worn for about 3-4 hours per day for 3-4 weeks. Some people may need periodic re-bleaching or 'touch-up' treatments for one or two nights every six to twelve months.
The results are very stable but take longer to achieve than power bleaching. For best results, we recommend a combination of the two systems.
Q. What is 'Power bleaching'?
A. A rubber dam is placed over your teeth to protect the gums. A bleaching gel is placed on the teeth. An intense light that generates a small amount of heat is directed at the teeth. Oxygen from the solution enters the enamel and bleaches the coloured substance. The colour of the tooth is made lighter and brighter.
The process takes approximately an hour, and the results are seen at the first appointment. Darker stained teeth may require multiple appointments.
Q. Are there any side effects?
Some people experience increased tooth sensitivity to cold after treatment. This is only temporary. There may be white lines at the gum lines with soreness or ulceration. These symptoms disappear within 1-3 days after stopping or completion of treatment.
Disclaimer
The eye can deceive and we cannot guarantee that the colour change that takes place in your teeth will answer your aesthetic concerns about your appearance.
Bleaching can be the start of a dental education process, which can lead to more dentistry being indicated or appropriate.
It is likely that existing plastic or tooth coloured restorations will change in appearance, and become unsatisfactory in this respect.
