What is teeth whitening ?
It involves a variety of procedures that aim to make your teeth look lighter and brighter.
Demand for whiter teeth has massively increased over the past decades due to increased media attention to dental health and cosmetic procedures.
How does teeth whitening actually work?
The whitening products available nowadays are based on a chemical called hydrogen peroxide which has the potential to degrade to free oxygen species. They then pass through tiny pores in the enamel and dentine and reach the stains causing the dark color of the tooth. The stains represent large units(molecules)that these oxygen species break down to smaller elements which leads to lighter appearance of the tooth.
When is teeth whitening required ?
It is used to lighten teeth which have darkened and therefore look unsightly . This could have happened naturally (insufficient calcium in the tooth structure)or due to smoking, drinking too much tea or coffee,antibiotic use(tetracycline staining),exposure to high level of fluoride(fluorosis).
Is it safe to have a teeth whitening procedure?
Bleaching products that you get from your dentist are safe to use but some side effects could occur. Some of the are:
1/ Increased sensivity to hot or cold
2/ Irritation to gums and other soft tissues in the mouth
3/Change in taste
4/Irritation to stomach
5/Changes to structure and translucency of the teeth
Can everyone have teeth whitening ?
No,there are certain limitations and considerations. This procedure is not suitable for:
1/Pregnant women and nursing mothers
2/Young individuals under the age of 18
3/People who are allergic to the components of the bleaching agents
4/Problematic teeth- caries,failing restorations or root infections
5/Existing restorations – they will not change their shade
6/Heavy smokers
Are there different ways for bleaching teeth ?
Yes and one way is to use over the-the counter products such as bleaching strips,paint-on gels or whitening toothpastes. The outcome of using this method is hard to predict and is outside your control.
The way that we,at Irby Dental Practice, recommend is for the whitening to be supervised by a dental professional. This is much safer as the treatment will be guided and monitored all along. The most popular techniques using this method are home bleaching and power (in-office)bleaching.
With the home bleaching based on impressions bleaching trays are manufactured and handed to patients to use at home alongside the bleaching gel. It usually takes longer to achieve a satisfactory outcome but control is better.
During the power bleaching high intensity light is in use. This comes from curing light or laser and speeds up the whitening process.It leads to faster results but patients have no control over the process.
Is it expensive to have teeth whitening?
It varies but home bleaching is generally cheaper . Here at Irby Dental Practice we charge £300 for this procedure but you can take advantage of our regular promotions.