Bleaching or teeth whitening is the process of making the teeth whiter and getting rid of the yellow teeth. Teeth whitening can be done by the dentist in the dental office or at home as recommended by the dentist. It is mainly for aesthetic purpose, as smile is an important social asset. Teeth whitening eliminates the discoloration of the teeth both extrinsic and intrinsic in origin.
Stains could be of different two different types intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic stains means stains from within the teeth, i.e. tetracycline stains and stains due to dental fluorosis (can be of varying grades- mild, moderate and severe). Extrinsic stains are the stains caused externally due to the intake of beverages (coffee, tea, wine) or mainly due to tobacco chewing and cigarette smoking.
The teeth whitening or Bleaching done in Dental office is of two types
- Internal Bleaching
- External bleaching
Internal Bleaching is usually performed for a single tooth discoloration. Root canal treatment is done with sodium perborate (material used for teeth whitening).
External bleaching- Application of substance outside the teeth.
At home technique
Impression of the patient’s teeth is taken and transparent mold of the patient’s teeth is made in a ferrule (flexible plastic structure) which conforms to the shape of the teeth. One for the upper teeth and another for the lower teeth. They are transparent. It gives the patient the two trays and whitening kit containing syringes with the bleaching product. Consistently for 20-30 days, in the wake of brushing a limited quantity is saved in the plate, at the tallness of every tooth brightening, and put in mouth for 3 hours. After the trays are removed from the mouth and cleaned with cold water to remove the residual product. Check Cost of Teeth Whitening Treatment in Bangalore
Dental Office Technique
A thorough scaling is done followed by proper isolation in order to prevent any injury to the gums. Bleaching material (hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide) is mixed and applied over the tooth surface using an applicator and this is then light cured for about 8 minutes and later washed off. Depending on the patients preference the bleaching could be repeated again after hours. This lasts for 4-5 weeks if properly maintained.
- Teeth whitening is usually not done in patients:
- Patients with high/unrealistic expectations
- Decay and active peri-apical pathology
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding
- Sensitivity/cracks/exposed dentine
Existing crowns / large restorations (anteriorly)
- Aged patients with obvious downturn and yellow (roots don’t dye as promptly as crowns)
- If patients cannot afford changing existing restorations post-bleaching
Advise to the patient that it will probably take about 2-6 weeks to achieve satisfactory result
- Nicotine stain 1-3 months
- Tetracycline stain 2-6 months, sometimes 12
- Further restorations may be required
