Teeth whitening is perhaps one of the most common and famous orthodontic treatments that are widely available throughout the globe. Although there are a lot of over the counter treatments available such as toothpastes, trays, whitening serums, and bleach, it is always advisable to consult a professional dentist for effective results. So if you have been thinking about undergoing a teeth whitening treatment then let’s get you familiarized with the process and how it can do wonders to self-confidence and much more!
Consultation with your Dentist
Per My Dentist San Francisco’s website, the professional teeth whitening treatment begins with a consultation with your dentist. Once you have booked an appointment with a professional, your teeth will be analyzed and your dentist will be able to diagnose the right treatment for you, since a lot of times, not everyone is a good candidate for this particular process.
If you’ve previously undergone treatments like dental implants or dental crowns, then you might not be the ideal candidate for a teeth whitening procedure. The treatment is highly effective for teeth that have discolored into tints of yellow with signs of staining. However the process might not be that effective if you suffer from a grayish-brown decolorization. If you need a recommendation, you can consider deep teeth cleaning with dentists in syracuse NY.
Teeth Whitening Procedure
Post consultation, you’ll be given an appointment and the process of restoring your smile will shortly begin. Once you are seated in the chair your dentist will begin the procedure by placing a lip retractor on your mouth. The lip retractor is used to guide your lips out of the way so that the dentist has a clear view of your teeth and that they’re accessible for the treatment.
Hydrogen Peroxide based Gel
This is followed by the application of a gel like material on your gums, which is then hardened with a high powered light. The gel is applied in order to protect your gums from the bleaching agent during the teeth whitening process. Usually, the dentist will also apply an anti-sensitivity compound in order to prevent any tooth sensitivity issues that might happen during the process.
Application
The whitening process begins with the application of a gel that consists of 15 – 35% of Hydrogen Peroxide which acts as a bleaching agent. Hydrogen Peroxide penetrates the thin porous layers of your teeth and works against the stains, by effectively breaking them apart through a process called Oxidation. Once the gel has been applied, your dentist will then use a high powered Laser light to fasten up the whitening process.
Your dentist will rinse off the gel and bleaching agent and reapply for as many times as necessary. The fresh coat of the Hydrogen Peroxide based gel is reapplied and subjected to high powered lights to achieve the desired shade of white. Once you and your dentist are satisfied with the results, a final application would be processed and you’ll be ready to leave the office soon.
Time frame for the Treatment
Usually the teeth whitening process is achieved within a single sitting. However in cases of severe staining you might have to come over another day for some of the final touches. The teeth whitening treatment would help restore your smile and the effects usually last for about a year or two. The effectiveness depends on eating and smoking habits. If you are an avid smoker you might want to quit to help maintain and improve the health of your teeth.
Results
Some patients experience tooth sensitivity for a couple of days after they’ve undergone the Treatment. However, some of the stains might return due to various reasons such as drinking a lot of coffee/Tea, alcohol or smoking consistently. Your dentist might also advise you to apply home whitening kits. These kits are available at any drug store and should be applied for at least 2-4 hours a day to help prevent staining or decolorization.
Although there are a lot of home remedies and over the shelf treatments available to help resolve decolorization and staining, which usually come in cheap. It is usually recommended to undergo a professional teeth whitening treatment in order to achieve the best desired results. A professional teeth whitening treatment will help restore your beautiful smile and give a much needed boost of confidence.
Whiter teeth and wider smiles have been known to enhance day to day lives and improve confidence amongst a lot of people. So if you have been struggling with decolorization or staining then get an appointment today, restore that smile and boost your confidence!