Whitening of teeth is performed for patients who desire a brighter smile. It can be done to reduce staining or discolouration or simply to provide the patient with a whiter set of teeth. 0
How can your teeth become white ?
How white your teeth would become is frequent question with a very subjective answer. Some
tooth whitening procedures claim they can whiten your teeth by upto nine shades but that is highly unlikely.
A change of 2 - 3 shades would make a significant difference in the overall appearance. The system of shade match and measure that is most frequently followed is the VITA guide.
This divides toth colour into 4 shades :
1. reddish brown
2. reddish yellow
3. gray
4. reddish gray
Not all your teeth have the same colour. Usually the front teeth are whiter than the rest.The goal of tooth whitening is to help patients achieve their individual optimum whiteness while still looking natural. At your first visit the doctor will explain what you should expect from the treatment and how many shades will your teeth change.
What causes tooth discolouration ?
Enamel, the outer layer of our teeth can get discoloured by staining, aging, chemical causes or physical injury to teeth.
Medications, coffee, tea, cola drinks, cigarettes etc. are some of the common causes.Apart from staining there are other factors that may affect the colour of teeth.Some people have naturally whiter enamel than others, some have a thinner layer of enamel so the underlying dentin shows through and lends a yellowish hue.
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Using a special whitening gel the
dentist bleaches your teeth in the dental office with the help of special light activating source. The length of time in the dental chair depends on the degree of discolouration you have but 2 hours is an average.
ADVANTAGES : One visit is all it takes so that also reduces the cost.
DISADVANTAGES :The sudden change in colour is likely to be noticed by others.
2) Custom-fit Tray Bleaching (Home Bleach)
A custom made tray is worn around the teeth. A small amount of gel is placed in the tray and worn for a short time each day (around 2-3 hours). It may take upto 2 weeks to see a noticeable change in the shade. This bleach system may be used as a follow-up after the office bleach.
ADVANTAGES : The whitening is gradual so the change is not too apparent to others DISADVANTAGES : May require more visits to the dental office thereby increasing the cost
Would there be any Ill-effects after bleaching ?
There are no documented long term ill-effects after bleaching but some people experience a slight sensitivity to the gel used, but this disappears after the treatment.
Pros and Cons of Teeth Whitening
Advantages:
People typically have their teeth whitened to improve their appearance. Whiter teeth are associated with beauty and a healthier lifestyle. When people have a brighter smile, they tend to smile more often and are less self-conscious.
In addition, a whiter smile tends to minimize the appearance of facial wrinkles, giving way to a more youthful and energetic appearance.
Finally, a whiter smile gives people to whom you are speaking a place to focus on and gives you a friendlier appearance.
Tooth Whitening procedures
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