Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is not recommended for patients suffering from gingivitis or patients with susceptible gums. Patients with large cavities or who need extensive dental work should first perform these procedures before opting for dental bleaching. 

Alcohol users and very heavy smokers should generally avoid the procedure since hydrogen peroxide can hurt the tooth's enamel when combined with heavy smoking and alcohol use.

In some cases, patients who opted for different dental procedures such as bridges, veneers, or crowns may have to replace them once the dental bleaching procedure is over – this is in order to ensure that all teeth have the same look and translucency.

Patients need to stop smoking before the teeth whitening procedure and then quit altogether.

A teeth whitening procedure is a simple cosmetic dentistry treatment that can refurbish discolored teeth. The procedure is safe and straightforward, which minimal risks involved. 

The teeth whitening dentist will first apply a unique solution on the patient's gums – this is a chemical barrier that will protect the gums during the teeth whitening procedure. 

The teeth whitening dentist will then proceed to apply the whitening solution to the teeth – this is a bleach-based solution, specifically designed for dental work and dental restoration. 

Once the solution is applied, the teeth whitening dentist will use a combination of light and heat to activate it, effectively removing any stains from the teeth’s enamel. Once this part of the procedure is finished, the area is cleaned and repeated two more times. When the desired result is achieved, the teeth whitening dentist will remove the barrier applied to the gums and the patient may return home. 

Teeth that previously underwent root canal treatment may have the teeth whitening solution injected deep into the roots for a better result. 

The teeth whitening procedure does not require any recovery period. Patients may fly, drive, and resume normal activities immediately.

Teeth whitening complications can include one or more of the following: 

● Chemical burns from the whitening solution 

● Increased teeth sensitivity to hot or cold stimuli 

● Overbleaching 

● Pain 

● Bleachorexia – the patient, can become obsessed with whitening 

Complications following a teeth whitening procedure are rare and your teeth whitening dentist will provide you with instructions to help you avoid any complications after the treatment

Teeth whitening side effects can include one or more of the following: 

● Tooth sensitivity 

● Pain 

Teeth whitening reviews set the average dental bleaching success rate at around 74%.

Most individuals report feeling more confident and more comfortable in social settings after the procedure is done. It’s important to note that teeth whitening or dental bleaching does not offer permanent results. Patients will be required to avoid certain drinks or types of food after the treatment in order to maintain the results. Some individuals generally opt for another teeth whitening procedure around ten to twelve months after the first one.

Patients who consume plenty of staining foods such as sodas or coffee may require another procedure in just a couple of months. One of the biggest factors when it comes to staining teeth is smoking, as the tar found in cigarettes will stick to the tooth's enamel. It is this tar that darkens the teeth – brushing will not remove it either. As such, patients will have to alter their lifestyles in order to maintain their new smile for long periods of time.

Laser Teeth Whitening 

Laser Teeth Whitening, also known as light-accelerated bleaching uses different types of light energy such as plasma arc, LED or halogen in order to accelerate the bleaching process. While the addition of different energy sources makes the procedure faster, it does not improve the overall results by a great deal.

Nanoparticle Catalysts combined with hydrogen peroxide

While it is a relatively new technique, titanium oxide-based catalysts can be used with a solution with lower levels of hydrogen peroxide. This technique is mostly applied for patients with very sensitive teeth since it has the advantage of lowering overall side effects while maintaining great overall results.

Internal Bleaching

Teeth that had their nerves removed through a root canal treatment tend to get darker and darker as time passes. Internal bleaching can be applied to these teeth in order to maintain them the same color or shade as the patient's other teeth. This type of teeth whitening is performed by introducing the bleaching solution inside the teeth itself and regularly replacing it until the perfect color is achieved.

FAQ

Is dental bleaching painful? 

Not – patients don't feel a thing. 

Are teeth whitening safe? 

Teeth whitening does not affect the health of the patient’s teeth in any way. The procedure itself is very popular among patients as well as dentists.

Can dental bleaching damage fillings, crowns, or bridges? 

No, but they may need replacing for a more consistent look.

Do teeth whitening strips work?

Teeth whitening strips may work to some degree – it all depends on the type of staining the tooth has and its depth. That being said, teeth whitening strips do not offer the same results as a procedure performed by a professional dentist.