Teeth whitening (bleaching) brightens teeth that are discolored or stained. Bleaching may be done completely in the dental office or the dentist may dispense a system for you to use at home. You may want to start by speaking with your dentist. He or she can tell you whether whitening procedures would be effective for you. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration. For example, yellow-ish hued teeth will probably bleach well, brownish-colored teeth may not bleach as well, and grayish-hued teeth may not bleach well at all. Likewise, bleaching may not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-colored fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not effect the color of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding. Here are a list of common teeth whitening questions: Am I An Ideal Patient?Tooth whitening procedures are most effective on yellow and brown stained teeth that have never been whitened before, but can be used for whitening most types of stains. Patients should be in good health and free of decay and calculus. Yellow staining from aging, tobacco, dark cola, tea, coffee and red wine will achieve the greatest success with this procedure. Any existing cosmetic dental work may need to be replaced to match the newly whitened teeth. What is In-Office Bleaching?If you are a candidate for bleaching, your dentist may suggest a procedure that can be done in his or her office. This procedure is called chairside bleaching and may require more than one office visit. Each visit may take from 30 minutes to one hour. During chair-side bleaching, the dentist will apply either a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the action of the agent. A number of in-office bleaching agents have the ADA Seal of Acceptance, your assurance that they have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness. Lasers have been used during tooth whitening procedures to enhance the action of the whitening agent. No whitening products using lasers currently are on the ADA list of Accepted products. How Can I Whiten My Teeth At Home?There are several at home whitening options available. Have your dentist recommend a brand that would be the best for you. Bleaching solutions: These products contain peroxide(s), which actually bleach the tooth enamel. These products typically rely on percent carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent, carbamide peroxide comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, 22%). Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and are placed in a mouthguard. Usage regimens vary. Some products are used for about twice a day for 2 weeks, and others are intended for overnight use for 1-2 weeks. If you obtain the bleaching solution from your dentist, he or she can make a custom-fitted mouthguard for you that will fit your teeth precisely. Currently, only dentist-dispensed home-use 10% carbamide peroxide tray-applied gels carry the ADA Seal. You also may want to speak with your dentist should any side effects become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive during the period when you are using the bleaching solution. In many cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience soft tissue irritation either from a tray that doesn't fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects, you should discuss them with your dentist. Toothpastes: All toothpastes help remove surface stain through the action of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpastes in the ADA Seal of Acceptance program have special chemical or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, these ADA Accepted products do not alter the intrinsic color of teeth. How Should I Choose A Whitening Product?When selecting a whitener or any dental product, be sure to look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance. This will assure that they have met ADA standards of safety and effectiveness.
INTRODUCING THE NEW BLOG FOR THE ATLANTA CENTER FOR RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY.BY DANIEL JENNINGS As a part of our commitment to providing the highest quality and most comprehensive care and information to our patients, the Atlanta Center for Restorative Dentistry is proud to announce that we will be starting a new blog. We hope to use this tool to provide our patients the latest information regarding their dental health as well as highlight key events and updates in our ongoing educational initiatives such as the Advanced Dental Implant Studies and the ADIS Summit. We hope you that you'll subscribe below and get notified of our upcoming posts. Thank you. |
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