A whiter smile can boost self-esteem, making you feel younger and more vibrant. It is a non-invasive procedure with no harmful side effects.
The process lightens your teeth by applying hydrogen peroxide combined with high-intensity light, such as LED, UV, or halogen. This treatment can be completed in one or two appointments. For professional help, contact Teeth Whitening Las Vegas.
There is a wide range of whitening products available to consumers, from over-the-counter whitening kits to professional bleaching treatments. Although the different products may have different claims, they all work on the same basic principle: the bleaching agent breaks down the stains that cause tooth discoloration. The most common whitening products use one of two chemical agents: hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. When these chemicals break down, they release oxygen that helps make teeth lighter.
The first step in any whitening treatment is to clean the teeth. Depending on the type of stains, this may involve a brushing with a gentle abrasive toothpaste or a dental prophylaxis (a professional cleaning). If a patient is planning to use over-the-counter touch-up whitening products at home, the dentist will typically instruct them to buy a toothpaste that contains a mild abrasive for polishing the teeth and to avoid using a highly abrasive product.
If a patient is scheduled for a professional whitening treatment, the dental team will prepare the mouth by covering the gums with a gel or rubber shield. This will prevent the whitening agent from touching any tissues that would be sensitive to hydrogen peroxide, such as the tongue, cheek or gums. The whitening product will then be applied directly to the surface of the teeth. Generally, a hydrogen peroxide-based product will be used, but in some cases, the dentist may recommend a carbamide peroxide-based whitening tray for at-home whitening.
Once the whitening product has been applied, it is usually left on for about an hour. During this time, the dental team will monitor the progress and make sure that it is working as expected. The current shade of the teeth will be measured against the whitening shade guides to determine how many shades lighter the teeth will be after the procedure.
During the whitening process, a person should be careful not to eat or drink anything that can stain the teeth. This is especially important during the first 24 hours after whitening, when the enamel is most vulnerable to staining. Ideally, the whitening product should be removed before eating or drinking anything that could stain.
It is not uncommon for teeth whitening to last up to a year, but this is dependent on the amount of chromogens, or stain-causing substances, a person consumes. Those who are regular coffee, tea or red wine drinkers will likely experience some re-staining within a month or two. Regular re-whitening treatment may be needed to keep the smile bright. Regardless of the whitening method, it is recommended that patients follow a rigorous oral hygiene routine and avoid foods and drinks that can stain the teeth. This will help to maintain the white, healthy appearance that they have achieved with whitening.
Preparation
Tooth whitening is an effective way to brighten the appearance of your smile and improve your confidence. It is a relatively easy procedure that requires little time to complete, but it is important to follow a few pre-whitening guidelines to ensure the best results and minimize any potential side effects.
The first step in preparing for teeth whitening is to visit your dentist for a checkup and professional cleaning. This will remove any plaque or tartar that may interfere with the whitening process and help to prevent any dental issues that could develop during treatment.
It is also a good idea to ask your dentist about any specific expectations you may have for the outcome of your whitening treatment. For example, you may want to achieve a certain shade of white or you might be worried about staining your restorations. Your dentist will be able to provide you with the most accurate information possible about your expected outcome so that you can decide whether this is the right procedure for you.
Once your dentist has assessed your teeth and gums, they will be able to determine whether or not you are a candidate for a whitening treatment. Depending on your current oral health and the type of whitening treatment you choose, you may need to undergo other treatments before proceeding with a whitening procedure. This is particularly true if you have a cavity or other dental problem that needs to be treated before you whiten your teeth. Trying to whiten your teeth with untreated dental problems can cause your stains to become more noticeable or can even damage the pulp of the tooth.
You should also avoid any foods or drinks that will stain your teeth for the first few days after your whitening treatment. This will give the whitening gel time to work and reduce the risk of new stains developing on your teeth.
During your whitening appointment, the dentist will apply a protective barrier to the soft tissues in your mouth and then place a whitening gel with a concentration of 25-38% hydrogen peroxide on the surface of your teeth. The whitening gel is then exposed to a light that activates the oxygen molecules in the hydrogen peroxide, causing your teeth to whiten.
Once your teeth have reached the desired shade, your dentist will rinse the whitening agent from your mouth and then apply fluoride to help protect your enamel. Your dentist will also discuss a post-whitening regimen that includes brushing with a whitening toothpaste and avoiding acidic or colorful foods to keep your teeth looking great. If you have sensitive teeth, your dentist can recommend a desensitizing toothpaste that contains potassium nitrate and strontium chloride to help block pain signals from the teeth to the nerve.
Treatment
In-office bleaching procedures can be performed quickly and produce a dramatic improvement in tooth shade. While teeth whitening treatments are safe for most patients, there are some conditions that may make it ill-advised to undergo a whitening treatment. Those who have sensitive teeth or gums, cavities, worn enamel, exposed roots and defective restorations should discuss their options with a dental professional prior to proceeding with a bleaching regimen. Anyone with allergies to peroxide should also avoid a bleaching treatment.
During a whitening treatment, the teeth are isolated with a resin-based barrier to prevent the whitening solution from coming into contact with the soft tissues of the mouth. Then, a whitening gel containing either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide is applied to the front surfaces of the teeth and left on for up to 60 minutes or until the desired shade has been reached. Many whitening products require the use of a light source to activate the whitening agent, such as LED, UV or halogen light. This allows the whitening gel to reach deeper parts of the enamel where the stains are located.
After the whitening procedure, the teeth are rinsed and fluoride is applied to protect the surface of the teeth. Then, the dentist checks the current tooth shade against a chart and determines how much lighter the smile can become. The whitening process can be repeated as often as necessary to achieve the desired result.
Once the teeth are whiter, the patient will be able to maintain their new smile with good oral hygiene habits and touch ups from over-the-counter whitening products. Reducing the consumption of foods and beverages that stain the teeth, such as coffee, red wine or cigarette smoke can help prolong the effect of a whitening regimen.
Tooth whitening treatments can remove stains from both intrinsic (inner) and extrinsic (outer) discoloration on the teeth. However, only natural teeth can be whitened; stained restorations like veneers and bonding are not eligible for a whitening treatment.
In general, a tooth-whitening regimen that is maintained over time can keep the teeth 1 to 2 shades lighter than their initial state. However, a patient who routinely exposes their teeth to chromogens (such as coffee, red wine or cigarette smoke) would likely experience re-staining within a month. A person who maintains a strict oral care regimen, refrains from consuming staining foods and drinks and utilizes over-the-counter touch-up products to maintain their whiter smile can expect to retain their brighter teeth for up to a year.
