Bleaching (Teeth Whitening):
What is the difference between teeth whitening and teeth scaling & polishing?
Teeth whitening is the process of lightening and brightening-up the color of your teeth internally and externally, while scaling and polishing is the process of removing the external factors that caused the teeth discoloration.
Why would I need my teeth whitened?
Everyone is different; and just as our hair and skin color vary, so do our teeth. A bright white smile is always the best signature for you.
Your teeth can also be stained on the surface by calculus, food and drinks, and by smoking. These stains begin as external stains, BUT, if they stay long enough on the surface of the teeth, they penetrate into the deeper layers, having them impossible to be removed by conventional cleaning and polishing.
Some people may have internal stains due to certain use of antibiotics, or due to presence of tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.
Does teeth whitening work with everyone?
Nearly more than 90% of the cases respond greatly with the bleaching process, but not all cases respond likewise. For example, some cases lighten up by 8 shades, while others lighten up by 4 or 5 shades depending on the nature of your teeth.
The only cases that show very low or no response are the cases suffering from antibiotic stains, and people having a natural grey teeth color which may be better candidates for another lightening option, such as veneers/laminates, bonding, or crowns.
Teeth whitening can only lighten your natural teeth. It will not work on any types of artificial teeth nor fillings.
Could I just use regular teeth whitening tooth paste, or over-the-counter bleaching kits to whiten my teeth?
“It’s better to be safe than sorry!” Whitening tooth paste do not affect the natural color of your teeth, they may be effective at removing very light superficial stains, but the problem is that it depends on the friction of some sand-like particles onto the surface of your teeth to remove only these surface stains. By time, these particles could cause roughness to the surface of your teeth as it abrades the tooth surface.
Over-the-counter bleaching kits might give some good results but they have two main problems; first, the process is not controlled as it should be like when having an expert controlling the procedure, and this could be very harmful to your gums. Second, the results are not long lasting, so you probably will need to repeat the procedure more than 10 times per year to maintain the degree of whitening.
Is it true that bleaching takes away part of the tooth surface… how does bleaching work?
No it is not true. Bleaching gels that we use in our dental office are extremely safe, guaranteeing that no tooth structure is being lost during the procedure. We have two types of bleaching procedures:
- Office Bleaching, where we use laser whitening or power light whitening. This is where a bleaching product is painted onto your teeth and then a light or laser is shone on them to activate the gel ingredients. This procedure takes about an hour.
- Home Bleaching, where our specialist takes an impression of your teeth to make a mouthguard. Then, using your mouthguard at home, you regularly apply the gel for a specified period of time depending on the instructions given by the operator.
Office bleaching and home bleaching could be used together for better results depending on the case.
What are the side effects?
Some people may find that their teeth become sensitive to cold during or after the treatment. Others may have discomfort in the gums, a sore throat or white patches on the gum line. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear within a few days of the procedure.
How long will my teeth stay whiter and how to look after it?
The effects of whitening are thought to last up from 18 months to three years. However, this will vary from person to another depending on personal habits, like smoking, or eating or drinking products that can stain your teeth.
Following proper oral hygiene measures, and, using maintenance-home-applied bleaching kits, given by your operator, every 3-4months, maintains your new bright smile for a longer period of time.
