Dental aesthetics play a very important role in one’s physical appearance and boosting self-confidence. Your smile is dependent on the shape, size, arrangement and color of your teeth. No one likes teeth which are yellow or discolored as teeth are naturally supposed to be white/off white because of the color of the enamel. When natural light falls on the teeth it gets reflected and scattered, if the surface of the enamel is smooth and thicker it also prevents reflection and scattering of light and the teeth appear brighter. In the present age of advanced aesthetics, teeth whitening is mainly done to enhance the oral aesthetics.
When is a tooth whitening procedure advised ?
A tooth/teeth whitening procedure is advised in individuals who have teeth which are stained yellow or brown or even darker. The stains on the teeth could be caused due to numerous factors which could be either extrinsic or intrinsic. The extrinsic factors include improper maintenance of oral hygiene, tea and coffee consumption, smoking, using certain drugs such as antipsychotic drugs/antihypertensive drugs, tobacco and paan chewing.
Intrinsic factors causing yellowness or brownish discoloration of teeth can be because of toxicity during birth/ prenatal term because of use of drugs like tetracycline (teratogenic drugs) by the expecting mother, excess of fluoride in water and certain blood diseases. Tooth whitening has been proven to improve the discoloration caused due to extrinsic factors but intrinsic factors are hard to remove.
When is a tooth whitening procedure not advised ?
A tooth/teeth whitening procedure may cause sensitivity and is not usually advise din children below 15years of age as the pulp horns are very high in children. Tooth whitening procedures are also not advised in pregnant women. People who have tooth wear and tear problems such as attrition, abrasion and erosion are also abstained from any tooth whitening procedures as they may cause severe tooth sensitivity problems. Tooth/teeth whitening procedures are not performed on artificial teeth such as crowns, veneers and laminates as it may abrade and distort the artificial tooth.
What are the types of tooth whitening techniques ?
Broadly tooth whitening can be classified as vital and non-vital tooth whitening procedures when in the former procedure tooth whitening is done on teeth which have a vital pulp and the latter procedure is done in a tooth which is root canal treated and does not have a vital pulp.Tooth whitening can be done in the dentist’s office or at home with the home bleach kit.The procedures performed by a professional/ trained dentist/ aesthetic dentist have far better and quicker results as compared to at home bleaching kits and whitening tooth paste and mouth rinses.
How do you prepare for a tooth whitening procedure ?
If you wish to get your teeth whitened it is advised that you seek consultation with a dentist who is trained in performing tooth/teeth whitening procedures. The dentist can examine your overall health and suggest which type of bleaching technique will be more suitable for you. You don’t need special preparation for an in-office bleaching process.
What does these tooth whitening procedure kits include ?
The tooth whitening kits are usually composed of either hydrogen peroxide or cabamide peroxide. The percentage of hydrogen peroxide can range anywhere between 15-40 % depending upon the requirement and the commercial product.
How is tooth whitening procedure performed ?
Tooth/teeth whitening is performed by either the vital method or non-vital technique. The vital whitening technique is a multi-sitting procedure and you may require about 2-4 sittings each of 30-90 minutes. The in-office whitening procedure is performed once your dentist isolates your gums and soft tissues with the help of a rubber dam or other isolation aids (as the bleaching agent may affect the gums and soft tissues). Visible results can be identified after two sittings. In-office whitening is the most preferred method of tooth whitening.
For the non-vital tooth whitening, the tooth or teeth which need whitening are opened up and the canal is filled with tooth whitening paste and the cavity is closed and the whitening paste is left in the can be canal for a few days. You have to visit your dentist to remove the whitening paste from the canal as advised.
At home teeth whitening treatments are also available as kits. You need to visit your dentist which will take impressions of upper and lower jaws to make custom trays for at home whitening procedure. The treating dentist will ask you to wear the custom trays loaded with whitening material for required number of hours every day for certain weeks till results are visible.
What care needs to be taken after the tooth whitening procedure procedure ?
Your doctor might advise you to abstain from eating hot, cold fluids for certain period of time to avoid sensitivity of teeth. You will be advised to strictly follow the right brushing and flossing habits and abstain from any habits of smoking and tobacco chewing to maintain the effect of the whitening.
What are the risks associated with whitening of teeth ?
Whitening of teeth can cause sensitivity of teeth and of the soft tissues which could trouble the patient. Also, the exact risks of bleaching teeth on pregnant women are not validated hence the same should be avoided until the child is born.
What are the recent advances in the field of tooth whitening ?
The in-office tooth/teeth whitening procedures are the most accurate in observing visible results but they require numerous settings which could be problem for the patient. Nowadays, with the advent of laser and use of specialized bleaching lights the duration and number of sittings required can be reduced to a larger extent.
Are the tooth whitening products available over the counter ?
Yes, a lot of brands are endorsing tooth whitening pastes and mouth rinses which are available over the counter. The results with such toothpastes and mouth rinses take a very long time and are not advised when one seeks the best results in a shorter span of time.
How to find dental surgeons for tooth whitening procedure ?
Now you can find dental surgeons for tooth whitening procedure from different dental clinics, hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple dental surgeons , get approximate cost for tooth whitening procedure from different dental clinics and hospitals, compare things and then choose a dental surgeon for tooth whitening procedure.
Find and choose a dental surgeon for tooth whitening procedure on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
