Whitening teeth – Teeth Bleaching – Next Smile

Are white teeth healthier?

No, that is not a claim that can realistically be made. The tooth colour does not necessarily have anything to do with the health of the teeth. But the attractiveness of your smile will definitely be affected by the colour of your teeth. Studies say that bright, white teeth is very much part of a beauty ideal. Of course, ideals are relative, and the perception of beauty is subjective, but it is a fact that more and more patients are consulting their dentist not only for fixing their teeth, but for purely aesthetic reasons, so teeth aesthetics are obviously becoming increasingly important.

Which leads us to ask – what are the causes of teeth discolouration?
The causes of tooth discolouration can be intrinsic and/or extrinsic. Extrinsic discoloration is due to substances that are deposited on the tooth surface. It could be something as simple as tea, coffee or a glass of red wine. The tannins or polyphenols in these can cause discolouration. Mouth washes that contain chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride can also stain your teeth. Long-term smoking is notorious for causing nicotine discoloration of the teeth enamel that even professional cleaning may not be able to remove.

In the case of colour-changes happening in the tooth structure itself, we speak of intrinsic discolouration. These originate inside the tooth, for example blood breakdown products of necrotic pulp inside a diseased tooth, or structural malformation due to genetically determined factors like amelogenesis imperfecta. Certain medications like antihistamines, some antibiotics and various other drugs can also cause teeth discoloration. Dyes present in various substances that penetrate directly into the tooth enamel.

HOW CAN I GET THOSE RADIANT AND BEAUTIFULLY WHITE TEETH?

So how can I get those radiant and beautifully white teeth?
Teeth whitening through bleaching can help. Professional whitening, which is done by the dentist, is gentle on your teeth and gums, and completely pain free. The common active ingredient for whitening is carbamide peroxide, the effect of which was discovered purely coincidentally. The drug was initially just used as an antiseptic to treat gingivitis. Then it was noticed that it did not only result in helping with the inflammation, but also had a whitening effect on the teeth.

The process works by the whitening agent, which can be either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, penetrating the tooth enamel to reach the discoloured molecules inside the enamel. The oxygen molecules from the whitening agent then reacts with the discoloured molecules and breaks the bonds that hold them together, thus whitening the teeth. It is quite a complex process but in short, the
bleaching agent causes an oxidation of the inorganic dye molecules that cause the discolouration.

Recently science and research have made great strides in adhesive technology. Many innovative materials have been clinically proven which gives dentists the confidence to use this technology in their practices.

CAN I BLEACH MY TEETH MYSELF?

There are four ways in which teeth bleaching is normally carried out:

• Chairside whitening that is done in the dental practice. First the gums are covered to protect them, then highly concentrated bleaching gel is applied to the teeth. Lasers or halogen lamps are then used for catalysis. After the therapy the teeth are polished and treated with fluoride. The patient remains in the dentist’s chair during treatment.

• Chairside whitening that is done in the dental practice. First the gums are covered to protect them, then highly concentrated bleaching gel is applied to the teeth. Lasers or halogen lamps are then used for catalysis. After the therapy the teeth are polished and treated with fluoride. The patient remains in the dentist’s chair during treatment.

• In-office whitening in the dental practice that is recommended for very severe discolouration. This professional bleaching method is carried out under dental observation and is indicated for severe discoloration. The bleaching agent is applied in a vacuum-formed splint, and takes about 30 – 60 minutes, during which time the patient stays in the dentist’s waiting room.

• Home whitening under the care of the dentist. The patient is instructed in the practice and independently puts the bleach into an individually made plastic rail that he or she wears during a given exposure time. The application can be repeated until the desired level of whitening has been achieved.

• Over-the-counter whitening products can be used without input from a dentist, and usually contain a hydrogen peroxide concentration below 0.1%. The process involves whitening strips or rails that are assembled.

SIDE EFFECTS OF TEETH BLEACHING

Whitening under dental care is usually gentle, but possible side effects can occur, such as tooth sensitivity or irritation of the mucous membrane. In this regard, the client’s medical history is important. Teeth with damaged tooth enamel carry a higher risk of being damaged. Bleaching agents can soften the surface of fillings in the teeth. Amalgam fillings should not be exposed to bleaching as there is a danger of an increased release of mercury.

THE COST OF TEETH BLEACHING

Unless you have supplementary dental insurance, teeth whitening is normally not covered by your health insurance, so you will have to pay for it yourself. The process will be thoroughly discussed with you and you’ll be given a full breakdown of the costs before you start the treatment. Remember our experts are always available to answer any questions that you may have!

ADDITIONAL READS

Dental Material Compendium – Zirconia