TEETH WHITENING


Teeth whitening treatment is one of the most common cosmetic dental treatments. Your teeth can potentially become eight shades lighter with an in-office treatment that takes just an hour, or you can opt for at-home treatment by wearing the teeth-whitening trays. There is another alternative for obtaining whitening treatments or products, which is to purchase them over the counter. These over-the-counter products include paint-on, toothpaste, strips and gels; however, most of the time, these products lead to disappointment. Carbamide or hydrogen peroxide is one of the main ingredients in the tooth whitening products. 

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In-office treatments usually produce quicker and more noticeable results, while at-home treatments provide teeth whitening at the convenience of the patient's own home. Patients are to obtain recommended treatments by consulting the dentist about their dental conditions.

Teeth whitening is safe and effective. While in-office treatments produce quicker and more visible results, at-home treatments provide convenience at the patient’s own premises. Over-the-counter products do not work for everyone, nor are they customised to everybody. Patients are advised to consult their dental practitioner for a proper diagnosis and personalised recommendations based on their individual conditions. 

Leading causes of discoloured teeth

 

  1. Medication or intrinsic staining - Certain medications, such as fluoride or tetracycline, can cause staining on the teeth. Children shouldn't take any tetracycline, especially during those formative years of tooth development before the age of 8. 

  2. Genetics - Everyone is born with different shades of teeth. Some are just born with teeth that are not as white as others.

  3. Trauma - Teeth that are broken, chipped or hit in an accident may discolour, which is often due to bleeding within the tooth. Root canal fillings, as well as silver and composite fillings, can help change the tooth colour.

  4. Tooth fillings - Fillings with silver and composite, or even root canal fillings, can discolour teeth

  5. External or extrinsic staining - Dietary preferences, such as smoking and consuming beverages like coffee, wine, or tea, can cause staining to the teeth, which can be polished off initially. However, if the stains accumulate over time, professional help is necessary.

  6. Ageing - As our teeth are porous, superficial stains penetrate the teeth and stain the actual tooth structure. Unlike skin and bone, human teeth stop growing after they are fully formed. The enamel layer will become thinner due to wear and tear, and the dentin layer will darken and become more intense over time. Eating food with high colours, such as coffee, red wine, cherries, and even soy sauce, will cause staining.

 

Patients with these pre-existing conditions may experience tooth sensitivity after tooth whitening treatments.

 

  • Patients below the age of 16. Patients in this age group tend to have a more active or larger pulp tissue (the nerves and blood vessels in the tooth)

  • Patients with exposed dentin at the neck of the tooth due to gum recession. The overconsumption of carbonated beverages will result in exposed dentin. 

 

These factors determine the final result of a teeth whitening process.

 

  1. Structure of the teeth (genetics) - It is comparatively quick and easy to whiten a tooth that has a thick enamel layer to achieve satisfactory results.

  2. Concentration of the whitening gel - The more concentrated the whitening gel, the more effective it is to whiten the teeth. While producing desired results, high-concentration whitening gel tends to also create teeth sensitivity among patients. It also means that though a lower concentration whitening gel takes a longer time to work its magic, it is also less uncomfortable. 

  3. Time - The duration of the whitening process determines the optimal results, where, most of the time, a longer whitening time yields more desirable results. 

 

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