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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, tooth 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 has become popular in today's society and
tooth bleaching can be the answer.
Tooth
bleaching safely lightens the color of the teeth and can last
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,
although it may not be an option for everyone.
Tooth
bleaching is effective for teeth darkened from extrinsic
stains such as aging, coffee, tea or smoking. Teeth darkened
by intrinsic stains caused by fluorosis, tetracycline, or
other medications and by congenital abnormalities won't
respond well to bleaching.
Teeth
darkened with the color of yellow, brown or orange respond
better to lightening than gray staining. If you have very
sensitive teeth, periodontal disease or teeth with worn
enamel, your dentist may discourage bleaching.
What's
involved?
First, the
dentist must determine whether you are a candidate for tooth
bleaching and what type of bleaching system would give you the
best results.
If you're
in a hurry for whiter teeth, you may decide to have your teeth
whitened immediately. Your dentist will use either an
in-office bleaching system or laser bleaching while you sit in
the dental chair.
However,
most patients choose dentist-supervised, at-home bleaching,
which is more economical and provides the same results.
At the
next appointment, if you don't choose laser bleaching, the
dentist or hygienist will make impressions of your teeth to
fabricate a mouth guard appliance for you. (The mouth guard is
used to hold the bleaching solution against your teeth.)
The mouth
guard is custom-made for your mouth. It can be worn
comfortably while you are awake or sleeping.
The mouth
guard is so thin that you should even be able to talk and work
while wearing it. Along with the mouth guard, you'll receive
the bleaching solution and instructions on how to wear the
mouth guard.
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
to 14 days completing.
How long
does it last?
Lightness
should last from one to five years, depending on your personal
habits such as smoking and drinking coffee or 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 mouth
guard. The treatment 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, also known as urea peroxide. When water
contacts this white crystal, the release of hydrogen peroxide
lightens the teeth, bleaching out the porous surface of the
enamel.
The higher
the strength of carbamide peroxide and the quicker the
bleaching process is carried out, the greater the chances for
sensitivity.
Is it
safe?
Several
studies during the past five years have proven bleaching to be
safe and effective. The American Dental Association has
granted its seal of approval to some tooth-bleaching products.
Some patients may experience slight gum irritation or tooth
sensitivity, which will resolve when the treatment ends.
What are
realistic expectations?
No one can
really predict how much lighter your teeth will become, but
the key is to have a realistic expectation before starting the
process. Every case is different.
Typically,
there is a two-shade improvement as seen on a dentist shade
guide. The success rate depends on 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 white fillings
(resins) or porcelains. So if you are considering bleaching,
it would be best to bleach before resin fillings or porcelain
crowns, onlays or inlays are placed, to allow for the shade to
be matched.
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