Teeth Whitening Quest
Of all the cosmetic services that a dentist can offer
, "teeth whitening" is the #1 service of all. It's popular amongst both genders, and teeth bleaching treatments are wide and varied in type and cost. Some, like BriteSmile, can be accomplished in one hour, but will cost the most (ranging from $400-$800, depending on which location, and individual practice fees). Others, like Crest Strips, are much cheaper and available at your local pharmacy, but reportedly take 4-6 weeks to see results. Though popular, it's believed that only 15% of the population has attempted it.
"Teeth whitening" is effective for almost everyone. Other than temporary sensitivities, which occur more commonly in people with gum recession or significant cracks in their teeth, no major side effects are known to date. While most patients will see improvement in the whiteness of their teeth, it does require upkeep, usually needing touch-ups, or continued treatment to keep teeth white.
Scientifically speaking, and according to the FDA, "bleaching" is a term that can only be used when the process involves bleach (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, usually) and teeth can be whitened beyond their original whiteness. Teeth whitening procedures, on the other hand, involves removing all debris and stains and restoring surface color. "Whitening" is more often used than "bleaching", even when the product used involves bleach of some variety.
Tooth discoloration, or staining, happens in everyone for a multitude of reasons. There are extrinsic stains, which are stains that appear on the exterior of teeth, caused by what we eat (food and beverage including red wine, coffee, tea, carrots), tobacco, and routine wear and tear. These stains are normally tackled by dental cleanings, and are the stains that "teeth whitening" treats. Intrinsic stains are stains that occur to the interior of teeth, which usually involve trauma, exposure to particular minerals (i.e. tetracycline) or excessive exposure to fluoride. Intrinsic stains also develop naturally from aging; tooth transparency caused by aging is reportedly the only stain that teeth whitening procedures cannot treat.
TYPES OF SERVICES
In-Office Whitening: This is quickest way to whiten teeth, usually involving one hour in a dental office. The high concentration gel is applied carefully by a technician, assistant or dentist, and the gums are protected with a rubber dam.
Professional Take Home Kits: While some believe this to be the most effective procedure, it takes considerably longer and require patience and dedication to the program. Lower-concentration gel is involved, and the patient is required to apply gel into a tray and keep on for one hour daily, or even overnight, depending on the kit.
Over-the-Counter: By far, the cheapest of all, especially since you do not need a dental office visit to acquire this product. This involves a gel that is lowest in concentration, and can be applied via tray, strips, or a gel that is painted onto teeth. While financial benefits exists, it is believed to be the least effective of all, and many patients lose interest in the procedure after awhile due to not seeing visible results.
RESULTS
All results of teeth whitening are truly subjective, depending on and varying by each individual person. Many are impressed with one treatment, and others are disappointed after a full treatment of teeth whitening, having expected whiter teeth than was achieved. Particularly with in-office teeth whitening procedures, it is important to consult a doctor on the expected shade result, and to keep expectations realistic.
Achieving a smile that celebrities attained through veneers is usually impossible utilizing solely teeth whitening services. Most offices use a shade guide with 16 shades of common teeth color to indicate where a person begins in tooth shade, and then explains where a person can expect to end with teeth whitening treatment. The average shade improvement is usually two to seven shades, but some have achieved as much as a nine shade improvement with teeth whitening procedures. Everyone's results will vary, but improvements are guaranteed through teeth whitening, so it's worth giving it a shot.
KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Keep expectations realistic: you will see improvement, but how much depends on your teeth less than which teeth whitening procedure you chose. Consider the shade guide and understand where, at best, you will end up. Also, teeth can continue to whiten for up to 24 hours after an in-office teeth whitening treatment, but will settle over the course of two weeks to the actual shade achieved by the treatment.
- After teeth whitening, all dark-colored food and staining foods/drinks should be avoided for up to 48 hours. Due to the bleaching process, your teeth will be like sponges, absorbing any and all colors. This includes using colored toothpastes, so be sure to use a white toothpaste at least for 48 hours
- If you have any kind of fillings, porcelain veneers or crowns on your teeth, it is crucial that you remember that man-made restorations such as these WILL NOT BLEACH. You must plan to replace these restorations, opt out of teeth whitening altogether, or understand that these particular teeth will remain a different color for a considerable amount of time until your teeth return back to their original shade over time.
- Recessed gums will often show the yellowish roots. Teeth whitening does not seem to be effective on improving this area, and you may end up with whiter teeth that make the root area's yellowness more visible than before teeth whitening.
- Pregnant or nursing women are advised to hold off on as the side effects of swallowing bleach during pregnancy, however minute, are not yet known.
Teeth Whitening Quest
By: Helena Adams
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