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Bleaching
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 | How can you brighten your smile?
 | Your wedding is coming up and you want your smile to
be its brightest. Or maybe you have an important
speaking engagement. Whatever the reason, tooth
bleaching isn't just for the movie stars, and it isn't
for one day. Many people have had their teeth bleached,
and probably millions more are thinking about it. The
desire for a brighter smile with whiter teeth is very
strong, and tooth bleaching safely lightens the color of
the teeth, lasting for up to five years. The most
effective and safest method of tooth bleaching is
dentist-supervised. |
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| Is bleaching for you? |
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| Generally, bleaching is successful in at least 90
percent of patients, though it may not be an option for
everyone. Consider tooth bleaching if your teeth are
darkened from age, coffee, tea or smoking. Teeth
darkened with the color of yellow, brown or orange
respond better to lightening. Other types of gray stains
caused by fluorosis, smoking or tetracycline are
lightened, but results are not as dramatic. If you have
very sensitive teeth, periodontal disease, or teeth with
worn enamel, your dentist may discourage bleaching.
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| What's involved?
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| First, the dentist will determine whether you are a
candidate for tooth bleaching and what type of bleaching
system would provide the best results. If you're in a
hurry for whiter teeth, you may decide to have your
teeth lightened immediately. Your dentist will use
either an in-office bleaching system or laser bleaching
while you sit in the dental chair. However, most
patients choose dentist-supervised-at-home bleaching,
which is more economical and provides the same
results. |
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| At the next appointment if you don't choose
laser bleaching, the dentist or hygienist will make
impressions of your teeth to fabricate a mouthguard
appliance for you. The mouthguard is custom made for
your mouth and is lightweight so that it can be worn
comfortably while you are awake or sleeping. The
mouthguard is so thin that you should even be able to
talk and work while wearing your mouthguard. Along with
the mouthguard, you'll receive the bleaching materials.
You'll be given instructions on how to wear the
mouthguard. Some bleaching systems recommend bleaching your teeth
from two to four hours a day. Generally this type of
system requires three to six weeks to complete, and
works best on patients with sensitive teeth. Other
systems recommend bleaching at night while you sleep.
This type of system usually requires only 10-14 days to
complete. |
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| How long does it last?
| Lightness should last from one to five years,
depending on your personal habits such as smoking and
drinking coffee and tea. At this point you may choose to
get a touch up. This procedure may not be as costly
because you can probably still use the same mouthguard.
The retreatment time also is much shorter than the
original treatment time. |
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| How does it work?
| The active ingredient in most of the whitening agents
is 10 percent carbamide peroxide, also known as urea
peroxide; when water contacts this white crystal, the
release of hydrogen peroxide lightens the teeth. |
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| Is it safe? Any side effects?
| Several studies, during the past five years, have
proven bleaching to be safe and effective. The American
Dental Association has granted its seal of approval to
some tooth bleaching products. Some patients may
experience slight gum irritation or tooth sensitivity,
which will resolve when the treatment ends. |
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| What are realistic expectations?
| No one can really predict how much lighter your teeth
will become. Every case is different. Typically, there
is a two-shade improvement as seen on a dentist's shade
guide. The success rate depends upon the type of stain
involved and your compliance. Bleaching can only provide
a shift in color from gray to a lighter shade of gray,
for example. Bleaching does not lighten artificial
materials such as resins, silicates or porcelains. |
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