Tooth
Whitening Systems
Note: Before
using any whitening procedure, ADHA recommends that you first be evaluated
by an oral health care professional to determine which application and
program are best for you.
Why do my teeth have stains and discolorations?
Most stains are caused by age, tobacco, coffee, or tea. Other types of
stains can be caused by antibiotics, such as tetracycline; or too much
fluoride.
What treatments are used for stained teeth?
Ask your oral health care professional about tooth-whitening options.
They include a number of over-the-counter whitening systems, whitening
toothpastes, and the latest high-tech option--laser tooth whitening. For
maximum whitening, experts agree that peroxide is usually the way to go.
Supervised bleaching procedures that are done in-office
and at-home have become among the most popular treatment options. In some
cases, the procedure is performed entirely in the office, using a light
or heat source to speed up the bleaching process. In other cases, an oral
health care professional gets the procedure started during an office visit
and then gives you what you need to complete it at home. Still another
popular procedure is one that you complete entirely at home.
At-home procedures, sometimes called nightguard
vital bleaching, consist of placing a bleaching solution, usually a peroxide
mixture, in a tray (nightguard) that has been custom fitted for your mouth
by an oral health care professional. The bleaching solutions may vary
in potency and may be worn for an hour, or throughout the night. Your
oral health care professional can advise you on the appropriate type of
application and the length of time needed to whiten your teeth, based
on the severity of tooth discoloration and your specific needs.
How effective are bleaching systems?
Bleaching is effective in lightning most stains caused by age, tobacco,
coffee, and tea. Based on clinical studies, 96 percent of patients with
these kinds of stains experience some lightening effect. Other types of
stains, such as those produced by tetracycline use or fluorosis (too much
fluoride), respond to bleaching less reliably. And one cosmetic dentist
points out that bleaching systems are not fully predictable. If you have
a tooth-color filling when your teeth are bleached, the filling will stay
yellowdental restorations do not change color when tooth whitener
is applied.
Are there any side
effects to tooth bleaching?
In some studies, patients have experienced uncomfortable short-term side
effects when having teeth bleached. Hydrogen peroxide can increase temperature
sensitivity in the teeth, particularly at higher concentrations, and nightguards
often cause gum irritation.
And overzealous use of over-the-counter home bleaching
products can wear away tooth enamel, especially with solutions that contain
acid. Therefore, bleaching is a procedure best done under the care of
an oral health care professional.
Still, the general health risks of bleaching systems
are minimal as far as your body is concerned. Applications are controlled
so that you don't swallow hydrogen peroxide.
What's Available?
While research continues into all types of bleaching systems, tooth bleaching
is sure to continue to grow in popularity. Here's a selection of what's
currently available.
At-home bleaching kitsthe
most popular whitening option. Mouth trays are usually made in one office
visit, and your oral health care professional will provide a whitening
brand suitable to your needs. Some trays are worn for an hour, others
through the night. Kits range in price from $300 to $500.
Bondinga
composite resin that is molded onto the teeth to change their color
and to reshape them. The resin material can stain and chip over time.
Bonding can usually be done in one office visit for $300-$700 per tooth.
Porcelain veneers
these shell-like facings can be bonded onto stained teeth. They are
used to reshape and/or lengthen teeth as well as to whiten. Veneers
require at least two office visits and cost $700 to $1,200 per tooth.
Whitening Toothpastes
While some whitening toothpastes effectively keep the teeth cleaner
and, therefore, looking whiter, some are more abrasive than others.
The stronger toothpastes rely on abrasion to remove external stains
as opposed to actually changing the color of teeth. The key is to study
a product's ingredients, look at your teeth to see if it changes their
color, and consult your oral health care professional for customized
advice.
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