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Whitening of the teeth is performed for patients who desire a brighter smile. Tooth whitening can be performed to reduce discoloration and staining, or simply to provide the patient with whiter, brighter teeth.
We've prepared a primer on teeth whitening to help improve your understanding of what teeth whitening can and do for a patient. Just click on the next page graphic below to get started. Or, if you want to jump to a specific topic, use the links below.
How white your teeth can become from bleaching and whitening is a common question with a very subjective answer. Some whitening procedures claim they can whiten your teeth by up to nine shades, but that is highly unlikely. Just a change of two or three shades will make a significant difference in just about anyone's smile. There is no one standard system in the dental field to measure and determine tooth color. The most often heard about, however, is the Vita shade guide. This guide divides tooth color into four basic shade ranges:
A (reddish brown)
B (reddish yellow)
C (gray)
D (reddish gray).
In the A range there are five levels of darkness. Ranges B, C and D, each have four levels.
Not all of your teeth are the same natural color. Usually your eye teeth tend to be darker than the others, your front teeth are typically the whitest, and molars tend to be a shade between the two. The goal for everyone is to achieve their individual optimum whiteness while still looking natural. During your first consultation for tooth whitening, your dentist will go over what you personally can expect for your specific smile. How white teeth will become from a given procedure will vary from person to person. The structure of your teeth and the type of procedure implemented will affect the outcome.
The following chart will give you some idea of how to compare the two most popular methods for tooth whitening. As everyone's circumstances are different, both options should be further discussed with your cosmetic dentist prior to making a decision.
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Teeth enamel discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical damage to teeth. Some of the more common causes of teeth discoloration are medications, coffee, tea or cigarettes. People who drink significant amounts of cola soft drinks can experience similar staining.
Aside from staining, there are other factors that can affect the color of an individual's teeth. Genetics can play a role. Some people have naturally brighter enamel than others. Disease can also be a factor and certain medications can cause a discoloration of the teeth. If you suspect that there is an underlying medical cause for your teeth discoloration, be sure to inform your cosmetic dentist.
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A custom fitted tray is worn over your teeth. A small amount of the bleaching gel is placed in the tray and worn for a brief amount of time each day. This is the most common technique because it's easy to use and costs less. Impressions are taken of your mouth and a thin custom made plastic tray is made which you take home and wear for about one to two hours per day. While some results may be seen in a couple days, it usually takes one to two weeks to see the full whitening of your teeth. This procedure is sometimes used in conjunction with the in-office laser bleaching if you have severe discoloration (dark grey or purple) or internal teeth staining.
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The majority of our patients experience no pain or sensitivity after treatment. A very small percentage of patients may experience a minor dull "ache" following use of the trays. Taking an over-the-counter analgesic like Tylenol™ or aspirin almost always resolves the feeling. In moderate cases, a clear dentist dispensed fluoride rinse my help as well. It is best to avoid very hot or very cold drinks for the first 24 hours if there is any tooth sensitivity.
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Yes. Our procedure will not soften enamel or existing fillings. The primary ingredient in our is hydrogen peroxide, which has been safely used in teeth whitening for over 100 years and is recognized as an effective whitening ingredient by the dental community. The percentage of hydrogen peroxide used in BriteSmile's proprietary gel is only 15%, much lower than other whitening gels that often contain 35%-50% hydrogen peroxide Before moving forward with the procedure, your dentist examines your mouth and gums to ensure they are healthy. If any potential problems are detected, a recommendation is made to correct the problems before proceeding with our whitening process.
At home or in-office tray systems for whitening teeth with carbamide peroxide under the supervision of a dentist has been shown to safe for teeth and gums. Some patients have experienced increased tooth sensitivity and some temporary discomfort of their gums. These symptoms tend to disappear within 1-3 days after stopping the process. Usually after the sensitivity disappears the whitening process can be started again and usually the sensitivity does not return. In any case, any reaction should be reported immediately to your dentist or hygienist for their special instructions. Over-the-counter quick bleaching kits may cause problems that you may be unaware of such as irritation of the gums and surrounding soft tissue. Over zealous use of over-the-counter home bleaching can wear away tooth enamel, especially due to the fact that these solutions have a very high acid content. We can’t over emphasize that these types of procedures are best controlled at your dentist’s office. Your progress will be monitored carefully which will certainly reduce most secondary effects. Only a dentist can make your teeth their whitest.
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Whitening should be done prior to the placement of composites, bonding, veneers, and crowns in order to achieve a close match of your new tooth color. If you have tooth-colored filling materials on your front teeth, the fillings will stay the same color – dental restorations do not change color when tooth whitener is applied. New cosmetic procedures such as bonding or crowns should be delayed a minimum of two weeks after the whitening procedure, so that the new tooth shade can stabilize itself.
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Again, you may experience sensitivity form the use of carbamide peroxide-based tooth whitening systems (which are prevalent in home tray systems) and this should be reported to your dental office as soon as possible. As of this time, these products are not recommended for patients that are pregnant or lactating. Patients with moderate to severe periodontal disease, patients with marked gingival recession, and patients that have defective dental restorations should consult with their dentist prior to using a tooth whitening system. Patients that are allergic to hydrogen peroxide should refrain from this process. Heavy smokers should be aware that results would be limited unless they are willing to refrain from tobacco during the process. It is also important to remove any excess material from the gums when inserting the mouth trays to avoid any other reaction.
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