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Tooth whitening is one of the most popular dental processes and it helps in lightening your teeth as well as removing stains along with discoloration. Even though a lot of dental professionals can carry out the procedure, it is best carried out by a competent teeth whitening dentist near me. It is not a one-time process as you will be required to go for repeated treatments in order to maintain the results.
Why Discoloration
The tooth enamel has pores that easily hold stains and a thin coating is formed on the enamel every day which accumulates stains. As a result of this, your teeth can be stained or discolored when you smoke, drink red wine, coffee, tea, and cola. They can also become less bright due to aging and if you don’t take proper care of them.
Stains can also occur in the interior part of your teeth and this is known as intrinsic staining. Intrinsic staining can be brought about by overexposure to fluoride when you were a child since the teeth were just developing at that stage. Tetracycline can also cause staining especially when taken by a child who is 8 years old or younger, or by a pregnant woman who is at the second half of her pregnancy. It also possible for discoloration to be caused by trauma. It is very important to note that stains in the surface of the teeth (extrinsic stains) are easily removed with a whitening procedure.
How To Get Prepared
Before you can go through a whitening process, it must be established that you don’t have any underlying disease that may hinder the result or aggravate your discomfort. As a result of this, it is very essential for you to go for a dental checkup so that it can be established that you are fit for the process. For instance, if you have cavities, they must be fixed before the process so that the whitening gel will not touch the inner part of your tooth which can lead to tooth sensitivity. In addition, if you have receding gums or tooth decay, whitening may not be an option for you as it can lead to severe sensitivity. It is also important for you to note that porcelain crowns, veneers, and ceramic cannot be made to go through the whitening process.
Teeth Whitening Dentist Procedure
Whitening can be carried out in the dental office or, better still, at home. When you go for office bleaching, your teeth whitening dentist near me will first take a photograph of your teeth. So that the progress of the treatment will be properly monitored. He/she will then clean your mouth. In order to get rid of plaques and debris that have built up on the teeth before the real bleaching process will start.
Home Teeth Whitening Dentist Near Me
Your teeth whitening dentist near me will create trays that will precisely fit your mouth. So that the whitening gel can be properly held in place. You may need to apply gel every day for about three weeks. There are other over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whitening products that can be used at home. But it is very important to seek your dentist’s advice before using any of them. So that you don’t damage your mouth.
Major Types of Teeth Whitening Dentist Whitening
There are two major types of whitening – vital and non-vital whitening. Vital whitening is carried out on teeth with live nerves. While non-vital whitening is performed on teeth without live nerves due to root canal treatment.
Vital Whitening
The popular method of vital whitening involves the application of gel directly to the surface of the teeth. The gel usually contains hydrogen peroxide which is a bleaching agent. The concentration of the bleaching agent in gels used for office whitening is higher than those used for home whitening. That is why office bleaching, usually with the aid of laser or specialized light, will provide better results over the home option.
In-office bleaching does not take much time as everything can be done within 30 minutes. And if it is very extensive, it may last for about 90 minutes. In addition, you may need to go through more than one session. Depending on the severity of your stain and the bleaching method used. Stains don’t respond the same way to treatment. Hence, you should be very realistic with your expectations. Your teeth whitening dentist near me will protect your gum before the bleaching gel is applied If the home whitening option is chosen. Your teeth whitening dentist near me will take the design of your lower and upper teeth. And this will be used to produce mouthpieces with the right fitting. When you get home, you will have to fill the mouthpieces with the bleaching gel provided for you by your dentist. You will be required to put on the mouthpieces for many hours daily. Depending on the level of your discoloration, you may need to put on these mouthpieces for about two weeks or more.
Over the Counter Products
OTC whitening products can also be used at home. But they have a weaker concentration of bleaching agent compared to what you will get from your dental practitioner. In addition, it may take a longer period before your desired result will be achieved. OTC mouthpieces do not fit well into your mouth. Because the impression of your mouth is not taken before it is produced. And you cannot compare this to the mouthpiece that is specifically created for you by your dentist.
Non-Vital Whitening
If your tooth has gone through root canal treatment. The process of whitening your teeth will be done from the inside. The bleaching agent will be placed inside your tooth before a temporary filling is applied to it. This scenario is maintained for some days. And you may need one or more sessions until the desired result is achieved.
On A Final Note
In order to avoid complications associated with whitening. It is advisable for you to choose a proficient teeth whitening dentist near me. This will ensure that you get the highly recommended treatment that will boost your oral health.