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Home Bleaching Information in Melbourne City/CBD area
Teeth whitening, also known as teeth bleaching, has become
extremely popular over the last several years, that it seems
like everyone is doing it. If you want to obtain a bright
and white smile, teeth whitening may be just what you are
looking for. Not only is teeth whitening effective, it can
also drastically change your smile and improve your
self-esteem at the same time. It's a great way to improve
your appearance, it's reasonably priced, non-surgical and
non-invasive.
Home bleaching is a process, which can
be done at home, involving a wearing of custom made
bleaching tray filled with mild bleaching solution. You have
to wear the bleaching-filled tray for 2-8 hours per day for
about 2-4 weeks to achieve maximum results, much depends on
how yellow your teeth are and how much whiter you like them
to be. The advantage of home bleaching includes using them
whenever it is convenient for you and possibly less cost.
The disadvantages include the bother of having to wear the
bleaching tray and the entire The teeth whitening system that is best
for you can depend on factors such as: the amount of time
you have available, your temperament, and how much money you
have to spend. rest of the procedure depends on your
routinely using bleaching.
Bleaching is a procedure which is
designed to lighten the colour of your teeth. When done
properly, bleaching will not harm your teeth or gums.
Significant lightening can be achieved in the vast majority
of cases, but the RESULTS CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. No two
people are alike and the procedure may work faster for one
person than another. RESULTS MAY VARY FROM PATIENTS TO
PATIENTS.
Appointment Procedure on Home Teeth / Tooth Bleaching
At the first appointment, the dentist
takes impressions of the patient's teeth and then creates a
perfectly fitted mouthpiece. This mouthpiece will allow the
patient to apply a bleaching solution to the teeth while
protecting the rest of the mouth from contact with the
bleaching chemicals.
How does teeth whitening work?
The peroxide ingredient in most teeth
whitening products is what actually bleaches the enamel and
makes your teeth whiter. The strength of the whitening
treatment typically depends on the strength of the peroxide
contained in the whitening product. The current percentages
of peroxide in teeth whitening products are 10, 16 and 22
percent. The higher the percentage of peroxide, the higher
the sensitivity and shorter wearing time.
The bleaching gel is usually hydrogen or
carbamide peroxide that breaks down into oxygen molecules.
The concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide
in the gel is not as strong as that used in power or laser
bleaching procedures. No strong light source or laser is
needed to activate the bleaching agent. Instead, it is
contact with something organic, in this case the teeth, that
causes the gel to release oxygen. These molecules go into
the tiny pores of the enamel and dentin, and break up the
stains that block out the light. As the stains are broken
into smaller and smaller pieces, more light passes through
the teeth and makes them look lighter. Stains that are
accumulated over time that are yellow to slightly brown
produce the best results. Teeth that are dark brown to
blue-gray are the most difficult to bleach because the stain
is deeply embedded into the tooth's structure. These types
of stains are usually caused by medications taken during the
development of the teeth such as tetracycline, and can take
a minimum of three weeks to see results, and as much as six
months for complete results.
Depending on the bleaching gel used and
the length of time it is worn, results can be seen within an
hour, overnight or within three to four days. Complete
results can be achieved in as little as a week or as much as
several months depending on the source of the stain and the
ability of the teeth or tooth to be bleached. The whitening
procedure may last for up to three years -- even longer in
some cases, depending on personal habits. To brighten the
color back up, a simple process of bleaching for one or two
nights with a single syringe is usually sufficient.
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Who Should Not Undergo Teeth Whitening or Bleaching?
It is not advisable
to undertake whitening procedures under these circumstances
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Age and
pregnancy issues. Here whitening is not available for
those under 16 years of age as the nerve of the teeth is
large at this stage of life. It could render the nerve
more sensitive or cause irritation. Pregnant or
lactating women are also not advised to use this method.
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Sensitive
teeth and allergies. Those having sensitive teeth or
gums, with receding or defective repairs need to see
their dentist before engaging a whitening process.
Allergies to peroxide will definitely not be favoured
with a bleaching product
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Gum
disease, damaged teeth, cavities, and exposed roots.
People with damaged teeth or worn enamel are not advised
to use any bleaching method. A bleaching agent might
enter any cavity and cause an inside damage. Hence it is
necessary to treat such defects before launching into a
whitening session. Bleaching does not work on roots also
since they do not have the enamel layer on which
bleaching acts.
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Fillings,
crowns and restored portions. Dental restorations
sometimes make use of colored fillings or resin based
products (crowns, veneers, bridges) and these do not
whiten with bleaching. So an unequal whitening pattern
may appear if bleaching is applied under these
conditions. It is better to proceed with whitening
before attempting any restoration exercise on the teeth.
Best on your individual needs, we will advise on the
method of treatment applicable in such cases, and
confirming whether any importance is to be given to the
bleaching or restoration exercise first.
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Those
expecting dramatic happenings may be disappointed with
results below their expectations. People using harmful
products like tobacco and wine need to be aware that the
result may not stay for longer periods if they do not
avoid such products. A more balanced expectation taking
into consideration one's own lifestyle and hygiene
pattern would give a more objective approach to the
results' appreciation. A good standard indication is
comparison of color of your teeth should be a little
whiter than that of your eyes.
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Heavily
stained teeth. A light yellowish tint will definitely
disappear under bleaching; less effective results would
appear on brown tinted ones where as grayish or purple
stained ones may not reveal any effect. Certain
blue-gray stains which, are normally caused by
tetracycline take even more time to whiten and require
around 6 month of intensive care at the dentist's.
Darker stains may be appropriately treated by other
methods, for example: veneers, crowns, bonding.
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Best
Candidates for Home Bleaching Procedure
Just about
anyone is candidate for bleaching. In general, the best
candidates for tooth bleaching are:
-
Mature
enough to fully understand the procedure o Experiencing
stained and marked teeth
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Knowledgeable about the procedure
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Wanting to
improve their appearance and/or comfort
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Realistic
in their expectations
Note, people
with dark yellow or yellow-brown teeth tend to bleach better
than people with grey or bluish -grey teeth. Multi-coloured
teeth, especially if stained is due to tetracycline, do not
bleach very well. In addition, teeth with many fillings,
cavities, chips etc are usually best treated by bonding,
porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.
Alternative Teeth Whitening Treatment:
In-Office
Bleaching -- In-office teeth whitening offers excellent
results. This procedure is performed in the dental office
and can be done very quickly, usually in a little over an
hour. In-office bleaching is expensive, but the time that
you save by having immediate results can make this option
appealing.
In addition to laser, power and home bleaching,
there are over-the-counter home bleaching kits available in
pharmacies and supermarkets. While these products are
growing in popularity, some dentists do not recommend using
them because of the increased risks. They are not as
effective, and can be more damaging to the gum tissue and
enamel. Teeth whitening toothpastes can make your teeth
appear a little lighter by removing stains, but they do not
actually bleach your teeth. Teeth whitening kits from the
dentist produce faster results because they contain a
stronger peroxide bleaching agent than those whitening kits
purchased over the counter. A dentist-supervised system is
backed by many safety tests and provides the patient with
assurance if questions or problems arise.
Patients
interested in whitening their teeth should consult a dentist
before taking on any form of treatment whatsoever. A
consultation with an experienced dentist will help you
understand the benefits and risks associated with each of
the options.
You're Responsibilities
1.
WEARING YOUR BLEACHING TRAY: It will only be effective if
you conscientiously wear the bleaching tray for the
prescribed number of hours per day.
2. COMMUNICATION: If you
experience any severe discomfort or other problems, contact
us immediately.
3. FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURERS INSTRUCTIONS of
the Bleaching gel provided.
4. It's a good idea to have a
dental cleaning prior to having your teeth whitened to
remove surface stains.
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Risks
Associated With Home Teeth Whitening/Bleaching
Bleaching, like
any other treatments, has some inherent risk and
limitations. These are seldom serious enough to discourage
you from having your teeth whitened.
In addition, there are variables, such as type of
discoloration that affects your teeth, the degree to which
you follow instructions, the overall condition of your
teeth, etc that can affect the outcome of treatment.
1. Sensitivity
in the teeth or some kind of irritation of the gums or other
tissues of the mouth. Sensitivity is noticed at the
beginning of bleaching process whereas irritation of soft
tissues mainly come from wrong fitting of trays rather that
from the bleaching agent itself. These effects disappear a
couple of days after the treatment ends. This sensitivity is
usually mild if your teeth are not normally sensitive
You can reduce an
sensitivity using the following methods:
-
Do not use
the tray for long periods. Shorten the use period if you
encounter sensitivity problems.
-
Stop the
whitening process for some days and let your teeth adapt
itself with the whitening system.
-
See your
dentist for a product with high-fluoride content. It
will restore the mineral level of your teeth if applied
to the tray for around 4 minutes before applying the
bleaching agent.
-
Use
toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth to brush. They
normally contain potassium nitrate, which will relieve
your nerve endings.
However, if
your teeth are abnormally sensitive, bleaching may make your
teeth much more sensitive for an extended period of time.
Under these circumstances, you may choose to delay bleaching
until we are able to complete desensitization procedures.
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How much discomfort
and sensitivity is there?
The amount of
discomfort experienced varies from person to person, and
depends on the method used. Most adults usually experience
little if any discomfort, however, the discomfort should
subside within 24 hours. If needed, an over-the-counter
anti-inflammatory may help. If the discomfort lasts for more
than 2 - 3 days, consult your dentist for more options.
Decreasing the sensitivity may be as easy as placing a gel
fluoride, under your dentist's instruction, in your
bleaching tray for an hour or so.
Other materials may be used to address the sensitivity you
may experience. Check with your dentist for the best options
for your paticular needs.
You should discuss your goals, budget, and pain tolerance
with your dentist in order to help him/her determine the
procedure, or combination of procedures, that will produce
the best results for you. If your teeth are sensitive after
bleaching, a mild analgesic will usually be effective to
make you more comfortable until your teeth return to normal.
2. GUM
IRRITATION: Temporary inflammation of your gums can be
caused by bleaching. This is the result of very small
amounts of bleach leaking over the tray. A burning sensation
in your gums may also occur. This is a minor problem and
will resolve by itself in a few days. Irritation can also
result from using the bleaching tray too many hours when you
first start bleaching or using the bleaching tray too many
hours in a row without a break: It may be necessary to
reduce the number of hours you are wearing the bleaching
tray or stop using it for a short time to resolve these gum
problems.
3. SORE THROAT:
If you overload the bleaching tray with home bleach, the
excess can go down your throat and cause soreness. This
soreness will also resolve in several days, assuming you
spit out the excess bleach instead of swallowing it.
4. LEAKING
FILLINGS OR CAVITIES: Most bleaching is indicated for the
outside of the teeth (unless you already had a root canal.
However, if you have any fillings that are leaking and allow
the bleach to get into the inside of the teeth, damage to
the nerves could result. In this case the filling needs to
be redone prior to the bleaching. In addition, open cavities
can also allow bleach to reach the nerves of the teeth. They
should also be filled before bleaching.
5. CERVICAL
ABRASION/EROSION: These conditions affect the roots of the
teeth when gums recede, these are grooves, notches or
depressions where the teeth meet the gums that look darker
than the rest of the teeth. They look darker because there
is no enamel in these areas. Even if these
areas-are-not-sensitive, bleach can be potcntially penetrate
the teeth and damage the nerves. Those areas should not be
bleached, but should be filled after the bleaching is
completed.
6. ROOT
RESORPTION: This is condition where the root of the tooth
starts to dissolved, either from the inside or outside.
Although the cause of the resorption has been determined,
studies have shown that its incidence is higher in teeth
that have had a root canal and are bleached.
7. EFFECT ON
FILLINGS: Even though open cavities should be filled or
badly leaking filling should be refilled prior to bleaching
can cause tooth coloured filling to become softer and make
them more susceptible to staining. Therefore, you should be
prepared to have any fillings in you front teeth replaced
after bleaching. In addition, since bleaching will normally
lighten teeth, but not fillings, you may need to have your
fillings replaced anyway, so that they will match your newly
whitened teeth.
TAKE NOTE:
Tooth colored fillings, crowns, bridges and veneers will not
lighten when your teeth are bleached.
COMPLETION
OF TREATMENT
1. LEVEL OF
LIGHTENING. There is no totally reliable way to predict how
lightening of teeth will reach. With home bleaching, 2-4
weeks of using the bleaching tray daily for 2-8 hours will
give you much lighter teeth. Additional bleaching may
provide slightly more bleaching affect but increases
side-effect may occur. We do not recommend home bleaching
for any longer than four weeks.
2. RELAPSE.
Following the completion of bleaching, there is a potential
of relapse of the teeth to go back to their original colour.
With home bleaching, you may choose to wear your bleaching
tray 6 monthly or yearly depending on how you like to
maintain the whitening and to keep relapse from occurring at
all. That is why its important to keep your bleaching tray
in the box provided, so you can used this for many years for
whitening maintenance treatment. All you need to do by this
time is purchase to us syringes of whitening solution.
What can I
expect after teeth whitening?
The results of
teeth whitening are somewhat variable, but most people are
happy with the results. After any bleaching treatment,
patients should avoid foods that stain, such as tobacco and
red wine for about a week. Keeping teeth clean with flossing
and brushing can maintain whiteness. Tooth bleaching lasts,
on average, about 1-3 years. If you are not a regular
tobacco user, and do not eat many foods that are known to
stain teeth, bleaching may last even longer.
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