Have you considered teeth whitening yet?

It is important to know what teeth whitening products and methods and avoid unprofessional methods of tooth whitening which are for sale on the high street and may seriously damage your teeth.

The whitest natural colour of human teeth is labelled B1. The whitest available is a BL1HT (bleaching shade with high translucency). This is 4 shades whiter than the whitest possible natural shade and is increasingly favoured by models, actors, and others in the entertainment industry.

There are three main types of tooth whitening procedures:

1. THE HOME KIT

This method involves taking impressions of your teeth and producing thin plastic trays to fit onto them. These trays fit your upper and lower teeth like a glove. Bleaching gel is then placed in the tray and when the tray is worn the bleach dispersers on the tooth surface. This is left in contact for 4-7hours during the day or at night for 3-7 days.

Advantages

• Relatively cheap

• Good efficiency

• The trays are yours to keep and may be used indefinitely.

• With already sensitive teeth, you may pace the bleaching load by skipping 1-2days in between bleaching so as to give the teeth a break. During those days you may also place desensitizing gel instead of bleach in the tray to alleviate any sensitivity.

Disadvantages

• Excessive bleach may leave the tray and irritate the gums.

• The trays may be uncomfortable for the patient to wear.

• Must repeat the procedure every now and again to maintain their bleaching colour.

• Since everyone’s teeth react slightly different to bleaching, there is always some uncertainty as to what the final colour will look like.

2. CLINICAL LASER TOOTH WHITENING

This method of whitening your teeth utilizes a laser/light system. It’s very simple: you lie in the dental chair with a light fixed on to your dentition The mouth and gums are isolated with cotton-wool and isolation dam material respectively, whilst the skin and lips are protected with sun-cream. The eyes are also protected with special safety glasses to prevent any damage. Bleaching gel is placed on the teeth and when the light is switched on the synergistic effect of the lamp with the bleach causes the teeth to whiten.

Advantages

• Very quick provedure (45-60 minutes)

• Very good results

• No need to wear any bleaching trays

Disadvantages

• Slightly more expensive than the home-kit

• May be too strong for young patients

• Teeth may be sensitive for 24 hours after the procedure

• Must repeat the procedure every now and again to maintain their bleaching colour.

• Uncertain what tooth colour the teeth will whiten to.

The laser tooth whitening is done to achieve the whitest natural result and then maintained with bleaching trays as described in the home kit section. This is the most effective cost-efficient method.

3. VENEERING TOOTH WHITENING METHOD

The method of veneering your teeth is the only form of tooth whitening that does not require any maintenance whitening procedures. It is also the form where you are guaranteed to whiten your teeth to whichever your preferred degree of whiteness is; to whichever tooth colour you prefer. This method involves minimal tooth filing and fixing of very thin porcelain facets onto your teeth.

Advantages

• The colour is exactly your chosen one

• Simultaneous tooth straightening as well as the whitening.

• Colour doesn’t change, therefore no need for a maintenance program

Disadvantages

• Expensive

• Albeit minimal, it involves some tooth filing

• De-bonding or fracture of veneers

• Irreversible