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Health and Fitness, Teeth Whitening - Tuesday, June 17, 2008 11:08 - 0 Comments
Cosmetic Teeth Whitening
Cosmetic dentistry is one of the latest fashions. More and more people (not just artists) are into this new trend which includes among other procedures teeth whitening. There is more than just one way to improve your smile. Teeth whitening options include: whitening toothpaste, at-home bleaching and in-office bleaching.
This kind of cosmetic dentistry is recommended for people with healthy teeth without fillings, crowns or other dental work and with healthy gums. Specialists advice against using such teeth whitening procedures if the person is under 16 (these procedures can and will irritate the pulp because the tooth hasn’t reached maturity yet), pregnant or lactating, has sensitive teeth or allergies (in case of an allergy to hydrogen peroxide the person should not use a bleaching product), gum disease, worn enamel, cavities or exposed roots. Exposed roots do not have the enamel layer teeth normally have and so the bleaching products do not work.
It is essential for any dental problem to be treated before undergoing a teeth whitening procedure. For example the penetration of any bleaching product into an existing cavity can cause sensitivity, a sensation of disconfort. Any whitening procedure should be taken before dental work is done (such as fillings, crowns, bonding or veneers) in order to match the degree of whitening to your new tooth color. Cosmetic dentistry works hand in hand with the treatment of oral disease. Smokers should also be informed that teeth whitening procedures, in their case, will have a limited effect which can be increased should they refrain from smoking especially during the treatment.
Bleaching, and cosmetic dentistry in general, helps people with yellowish tones to have a brighter smile. Still, patients with other tones such as brown, grey or purple are likely not to have spectacular results. A special case is the one of teeth stained by tetracycline with a blue-grey tone that may require up to 6 month of teeth whitening treatment with no surprising results. However, people with stained teeth are better candidates than the ones with veneers or crowns for cosmetic dentistry.
Teeth whitening procedures include whitening toothpaste. The surface stains as well as the deep ones on your teeth are easily removed through the daily use of a professional whitening product. This kind of whitening procedure is the combined result of the action of mild abrasives and hydrogen peroxide, a bleaching substance. At-home bleaching refers to whitening gels and strips applied to the surface of the teeth. They contain a bleaching agent and have to be used 2 times a day for 14 days. Results can be seen in 1 month and last up to 4 months.
These do-it-at-home teeth whitening procedures are less effective than in-office procedures, the degree of whitening being much lower, but they are a lot less expensive. Still, they require the supervision of the dentist to check the progress of your teeth and if there are any signs of gum irritation. That is why more and more people go for a supervised whitening system. Cosmetic dentistry is no easy job. Such a system of cosmetic dentistry includes tray-based tooth whitening procedures. It can be done at home or in a dentist’s office. A tray is filled with a whitening solution (gel) which contains hydrogen peroxide (a bleaching agent). This tray is placed over the teeth and is worn for a couple of hours a day or at night (much more comfortable). Specialists recommend wearing this for 4 weeks depending on the gravity of the problem and the level of whitening you want to reach.
The advantages of this kind of cosmetic dentistry done in a dentist’s office are the following: before the use of a bleaching agent, a protective gel is applied to the teeth and the process is completed faster with the use of heat/laser light. Laser bleaching (Argon/Power bleaching) has become one of the most popular procedures of cosmetic dentistry. Teeth whitening removes stains and discoloration turning your teeth a few shades lighter. Cosmetic dentistry is followed by a very careful dental care: patients are advised to avoid products that may stain their teeth such as tea, coffee, to use a straw if possible and not forget to brush at least 2 times/day.
There are many reasons for undergoing a teeth whitening procedure such as: gaining confidence, self-esteem and a younger appearance all with the help of a brighter smile. The goal of cosmetic dentistry is to achieve individual optimum whiteness while still looking natural.
Teeth whitening is just one procedure included in the big family of cosmetic dentistry. Other treatments for a dazzling smile are: enamel shaping, bonding and veneers. They are recommended for people with chipped, cracked or misshapen teeth. Visiting a dental day spa will make you feel twenty years younger. They take care of you from head to toes and especially of your smile. Their primary focus is that through the use of cosmetic dentistry and especially teeth whitening procedures to improve the appearance of a patient’s oral cavity.
So, in a modern society driven by trends, cosmetic dentistry is one sure way to have a brighter smile. No matter if you decide for at-home bleaching or in-office treatment, your beautiful smile will dazzle everybody and make you feel better and most importantly healthy.