Tooth bleaching : naturally whiter teeth
"I told my dentist my teeth are going yellow. He told me to wear a brown tie"
- Rodney Dangerfield
Bright teeth have an incredibly positive and radiating power. Because it involves brightening natural teeth, bleaching is the least invasive and most cost-effective esthetic treatment.
TOOTH WHITENING OR BLEACHING - WHAT IS IT?
Tooth enamel is a porous substance made of crystals. Over the years, color molecules from food get imbedded in the pores, darkening the tooth. During whitening (or bleaching), a gel containing hydrogen peroxide is applied onto the tooth. This soaks into the tooth surface and changes the incorporated color molecules so that they become invisible. As a result, the teeth become whiter again.
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HOW DOES TOOTH WHITENING WORK?
There are different methods to lighten dark teeth. First of all, the teeth usually need to be professionally cleaned to remove all external staining, calculus etc. In addition, there must be no dental disease, i.e. no cavities, no gum inflammation, no sensitive necks, etc.
Then the whitening gel is applied. There are different possibilities to do this: It is possible to do it at home, by making so-called "trays" in which you will apply the gel during the night, this for about one week, depending on the degree of discoloration, the color you want to obtain etc. This method is called home-bleaching and is a very gentle procedure with a good thorough effect.
The other method is to whiten the teeth at our office ("in-office bleaching"). For this, we apply a similar, but more powerful gel, which acts on the teeth for an hour.
Ask us what is best for you and we will explain the whole procedure to you during a consultation.
IS BLEACHING DANGEROUS FOR MY TEETH?
Contrary to many rumors, teeth whitening is a very safe treatment. No matter what method is used, at home or in the office.
Problems usually occur when whitening is performed by unqualified personnel, without prior examination of teeth, gums, etc. Or when products are used that are not suitable. They can be too weak or too aggressive. If all the rules are followed, teeth whitening can easily achieve a very nice aesthetic improvement, and without harming your teeth.
The most common side effect is tooth sensitivity to cold. But this is only temporary for a few days.
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