Dental or Teeth Bleaching

There are two types of tooth stains:

Intrinsic or Internal Stain

Stain that has occurred from inside of the teeth. Such stains are not removable by brushing and flossing and will need professional teeth bleaching or whitening. An injured tooth is more prone to intrinsic stains also certain medications like tetracycline which if taken during tooth formation period or excess fluoride administered during teeth formation stage.

Extrinsic or External Stain

Tooth surface staining is known as extrinsic staining and smoking cigarettes, cigars, tea, coffee or foods with lots of spices are few reasons for tooth surface staining. Good tooth brushing habits can sometimes get rid of extrinsic stains.

Certain stains may need different solutions and hence it is important to have consultation with a dentist.

A few number of people have an experience of discomfort during the bleaching or tooth whitening treatment which can be in the form of gum or sensitive tooth. Within few days of treatment the symptoms associated with it starts disappearing. Always follow the manufacturers directions strictly and contact your dentist as soon as you find the results or symptoms are not in consonance with what is written on the label of the tooth bleaching product.

Since the time mirror was invented people have been looking ways and means to get their teeth whitened. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits definitely help in removing the stains and deposits except for those patients with dark, yellow, brown or other internal discolorations to their teeth.

a whiter, bright smile freshens up you as well as the atmosphere. The toothpastes available at the chemist's store are not capable of giving you the whitest possible smile, only your dentist can give you that smile makeover.  Teeth whitening which is a bleaching process lightens discolorations and helps in removing stains from teeth enamel and dentin. A solution filled in a clear plastic shell tray filled with bleaching agent and worn over you teeth while sleeping or during the course of the day is the process of teeth bleaching or whitening and this may take several days or weeks to show results.  However this bleaching agent does not harm your teeth fillings, bonding, caps or other work done on your teeth. The process takes from several days to a couple of weeks and will not harm fillings, bonding, caps, or other dental work.

Instructions For At Home Tooth Whitening

Instructions for Tooth Whitening or bleaching process:

1. A thorough Brushing and flossing of teeth required before placing the bleaching tray in mouth.
2. Place small drop of gel in tray at each tooth site where whitening is desired.
3. Seat tray completely and firmly onto teeth.
4. Wipe off excess gel with toothbrush or clean finger.
5. Trays are to be worn overnight.
6. When trays are removed, rinse with cool water and remove residual material and store in case. Keep your trays out of the sunlight and heat. Excessive heat can melt the trays. Do not store them in your car during the warm summer months.
7. Brush and rinse remaining gel from teeth after Bleaching.
8. Remove tray prior to eating.
9. You will have enough material to bleach both upper and lower teeth for 2-3 weeks.

BLEACHING - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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, teeth bleaching isn't just for the movie stars, and it isn't just 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.

Is bleaching for you?

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.

What's involved?

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. However, most patients choose dentist-supervised at-home bleaching, which is more economical and provides the same results. The dentist will make impressions of your teeth to fabricate a custom-fitted tray for you. The tray is custom made for your mouth and is lightweight so that it can be worn comfortably while you are awake or sleeping. It is so thin that you should even be able to talk and work while wearing it. Along with the custom-fitted tray, you'll receive the bleaching materials. You'll be given instructions on how to wear the tray.

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.

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.

How does it work?

The active ingredient in most of the whitening agents is 10 percent carbamide peroxide (CH4N2O2), also known as urea peroxide; when water contacts this white crystal, the release of hydrogen peroxide lightens the teeth.

Why Aren't My Teeth Whitening Evenly?

Sometimes the biting edges and the sides of the teeth whiten more quickly than the rest of the teeth. This occurs because your enamel is thicker in these areas and responds faster to the whitening process. As you continue to use the tooth-whitening system, the rest of your teeth will catch up and the color will even out.

Is it safe? Any side effects?

Several studies, during the past six years, have proven bleaching under the supervision of a dentist to be safe and effective. Some patients may experience slight gum irritation or tooth sensitivity, which will resolve when the treatment ends. To date, there has been no testing done on the effects of using a professional tooth-whitening system during pregnancy. Therefore, we do not recommend that you use it if you are pregnant or lactating.

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.