Among all the dental procedures in cosmetic dentistry being performed, teeth whitening ranks the highest. Whatever reasons they have in undergoing the procedure – self-conscious of their yellowed teeth or simply wanting to rid of the color – patients have been known to regain their confidence and self-esteem even right after the procedure.
What is teeth whitening?
What are the techniques?
Are there teeth whitening methods that can be done at home?
Whitening
Teeth whitening is simply a process that eliminates discoloration and stains on the teeth. The procedure also brightens the natural pigmentation of the teeth. The nature of the stains as well as the severity of the discoloration determines the degree of improvement after the treatment.
When your teeth become brown or yellow due to coffee, tea, or smoking, stains will generally lighten four to five shades. Gray teeth caused by natural pigmentation or use of antibiotics will lighten two to three shades.
Whatever is the outcome, your teeth is noticeably brighter after teeth whitening. While there may be a number of over-the-counter teeth whiteners, only a dental professional can recommend the most effective teeth whiteners.
Some techniques
Today, there are two effective whitening techniques available – the in-office laser teeth whitening and at-home teeth whitening with custom-fit trays. These two techniques should be best done under your dentist’s supervision to ensure safety.
Laser teeth whitening
The In-office teeth whitening are done with bleaching gel and laser light. A good method for teeth whitening for sensitive teeth, this process should be closely monitored by a cosmetic dentist.
The process begins when the teeth are carefully isolated from the lips and gums. Next, a bleaching gel is applied to the teeth. A laser is used with the gel in order to amplify the teeth whitening process.
At-home teeth whitening
For at-home teeth whitening, your cosmetic dentist can take imprints of your teeth and then make custom-fitted trays for your use to complete your teeth whitening process.
There are also a number of teeth bleaching kits available over the counter at drugstores. If instructions are followed to the letter, most of them are safe by general standards.
Whitening systems
Teeth whitening systems use in-office applications of gel to the teeth. Next, light is applied in order to activate the gel.
There are also a number of teeth whitening systems in the market. These also include a variety of whitening toothpastes and paint-on whitening products and whitening strips.
Side effects
However, there are a number of whitening materials that have some side effects. The gel in many whitening methods makes the teeth sensitive to hot and cold foods, drinks and air, although this is all temporary.
The trays used to bleach teeth also cause sensitivity to the gums, which makes this particular method to be recommended as best done in a dental office.
Some over the counter whitening products may wear down the teeth’s enamel if used too zealously. For this reason, it is recommended that it is best to undergo teeth whitening treatments under the supervision of a cosmetic dentist.
Costs
Teeth whitening costs varies according to the type of methods – at home or in-office. In-office services cost from $100 to $800 and at-home bleaching trays custom-fitted by a dentist cost from $300 to $2,000.
Have you been to a cosmetic dentist lately for a teeth whitening procedure?
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