Cosmetic Whitening
Regardless of how well you care for your teeth, it is
inevitable that, over time, some yellowing or discoloration
will occur. This gradual change can be caused by aging,
substances that stain your teeth (such as coffee and
tobacco), excessive fluoride, or the deterioration of
a tooth's nerve. A tooth whitening treatment can be
performed either as an at-home, dentist-supervised process
or in the dentist's chair. While neither of these methods
stops future discoloration, these treatments bring about
whiter teeth and help create a more vibrant smile.
Cosmetic
Bonding Composite bonding is
one of the most conservative, affordable ways
to esthetically restore a multitude of dental
cases. Using a synthetic material the dentist
can restore chipped, fractured, and unsightly
teeth.
The synthetic material will integrate or mesh
with the tooth and they become as one. The tooth
actually becomes stronger than a healthy tooth
with no filling. Bonding material is chosen to
match your natural tooth color and sometimes enhances
the color to a white shade. Teeth can be restored
to their original beauty with advances in tooth-colored
materials.
Composite bonding is fast and the results are
immediate. The bonding process can usually be
completed in one appointment.
At-home Whitening The
most popular method of whitening teeth is the
at-home, dentist-supervised option. During your
visit to the dentist, he or she takes a mold of
your teeth and creates a comfortable, customized
mouthtray. The mouthtray holds a mild solution
whose main ingredient is carbamide peroxide, a
substance that reacts with water to release a
non-toxic bleaching element (hydrogen peroxide).
The mouthtray is placed inside the mouth, and
sits only against the teeth, thereby avoiding
contact with the gums. Patients can choose either
to wear the mouthtray throughout the night or
for stretches that last from two to four hours.
When the mouthtray is worn throughout the night,
the treatment lasts one to two weeks. Patients
with more sensitive teeth may opt for the latter
approach, which lasts three to five weeks.
Laser Whitening The alternative method for
teeth whitening is a laser procedure, performed
at the dentist's office. This treatment involves
coating the teeth with a paste-like form of carbamide
peroxide. When the laser is applied to this paste,
the tooth's enamel takes on a whiter appearance.
This technique lasts approximately one hour in
the dentist's chair. For continued optimal whitening
it is recommended that take home mouthtrays be
used as well.
