An Overview of Teeth Whitening Procedure

Teeth form a crucial part of a body that aids speech, chewing, and determines facial attractiveness. Another critical contribution of this part is smiling, as it has a significant impact on society. So, when it gets diminished by dental conditions, individuals experience damage to their self-esteem and mental health. Consequences such as these produce profound negative emotions. Teeth discoloration is one such condition caused by the deposition of pigments in its surface or structure. This issue varies in etiology, severity, and in types. So, such cases beget the need for a valid cosmetic dental treatment. 

Teeth Whitening Procedure

A Closer Look 

Discolorations are considered as a severe cosmetic problem, as many people not only demands a healthy smile, but also an attractive one. In most people, such concerns towards their appearance are increasing. The color of a tooth ranges in different shades, and it is affected by various factors, such as age, exposure to medications, and dietary habits. One root cause of yellowish shade is caused by consumptions of substances like tobacco, coffee, red wine, carrot, and some herbs. The chromogenic materials from these foods are deposited into dentin and enamel; thus, affects its color. 

As per medical studies, this condition is divided into two types, such as intrinsic and extrinsic. The former case involves high exposure to fluoride or similar drugs, inherited disorders, or due to a trauma caused during development stages. Latter one, however, mostly occurs due to dietary habits and lack of good oral hygiene. Apart from these, differences in shades are also caused due to advancing age, and such conditions are highly prone to individual variations. 

Considerable Consequences

Physical appearance plays a critical role in human social interactions. A major contributor to this aspect is smile. It serves as a primary means of expressing emotions, and whiter shade enhances facial aesthetics. Thus, the difference in shade generally affects people’s ability to smile confidently and limits their participation in social and personal activities. It also has a significant impact on psychological development, as ideal aesthetics and attractiveness enhances general well-being. Therefore, they want to rectify such issues and this translated into the development of clinical bleaching procedures to people dissatisfied with their appearance that provide a proper remedy to improve their confidence and self-esteem. This treatment, along with cosmetic enhancement, also reduces plaque and calculus buildup, which can lead to more detrimental complications.

Involved Phases 

The clinical teeth whitening process starts with a consultation. Dentists, during this appointment, will assess the severity of a case, along with its causes. Not everyone is a suitable candidate for this procedure, so patients with restorations of any kind are generally excluded, as their ceramic or metal restorations will not react to bleaching.  

Following this is the actual process, in which practitioners will insert a lip retractor to get easy access to a feature. Then, they will apply a gel called gingival barrier and hardens it using a special light. This protects a patient’s gums from the bleaching chemicals applied. Such preventives measures are necessary to minimize risks. 

A bleaching solution contains a definite proportion of hydrogen peroxide that can penetrate the enamel to incite a chemical reaction called oxidation, which will remove stain pigments. Depending on its application, specialists might use a high-powered light to expedite reaction to achieve faster results. 

Most cases require several layers of bleaching solution, and during this, dentists will rinse off a coating to reapply a new one every forty minutes. Once complete, patients can experience an immediate difference in their dentin shade and achieve three to six shades of whitening in a single session. It is also normal to experience gum or tooth sensitivity, as these effects are transient.

Practitioners suggest their patients using a customized tray and reapply a lower coating of peroxide on enamel after a procedure to maintain the results. They even recommend to change their diet and avoid habits like smoking or tobacco use. 

Other Options 

Individuals also have access to other teeth whitening options as well. Such as a special dentifrice with the ADA seal of acceptance for stain removal. All toothpaste has some level of abrasives, but stain removal dentifrices have additional polishing agents to provide more effective brightening. But these are suitable for only intrinsic discoloration, but not for extrinsic or severe cases.

Dentists also provide at-home kits for patients seeking for more convenience. It is a custom-made tray with a peroxide solution that requires thirty to forty minutes of application. This kit comes with a set of instructions to provide guidance. Although a reliable solution, it can take several weeks to work and are less effective than clinical procedures.

Teeth Whitening Procedure

There are some over-the-counter products available in the market such as brightening strips and mouth trays. These products offer the same results as at-home kits and contain lower concentrations of peroxide than office materials. People should discuss these options with their practitioners and choose the products with the ADA acceptance seal to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Obtained Benefits 

The most obvious advantage of teeth whitening is an enhancement in appearance. As cited earlier, most people have concerns regarding their looks due to some dental conditions. Discoloration, in particular, can cause an obnoxious smile, thus evokes psychological distress in people. Performing clinical brightening restores whiter shade to a feature and helps patients to regain their confidence and attractive smile.  

In comparison to in-office brightening, over-the-counter products are not customizable. Practitioners conduct a preliminary evaluation prior to a process and formulate a suitable course of action. This gives the precise amount of whiteness and helps achieve the desired results expected by each individual. 

Some market solutions can cause allergic reactions in patients. Such risks are prevented when it is performed by professionals. They have the training and experience to conduct this procedure devoid of any complication. It can also give faster results, and bleaching solutions used in a clinical setup removes adverse plaques and calculus for added protection.

Author Bio 

Country Isles Dental is the premier dental care service provider in Florida. Our professionals offer general, family, cosmetic, and reconstructive dentistry services to fulfill all your dental needs.