COSMETIC DENTISTRY

A smile can be the most eye-catching feature of a face. With modern dentistry, you no longer have to settle for stained, chipped, or misshapen teeth. You now have choices that can help you smile with confidence. Even the most subtle change in your smile can make a tremendous difference in the way you look and feel about yourself.

Tooth Whitening - Stained, discolored or dull teeth (or even a single tooth) can be significantly 'whitened' using advanced modern materials. The treatment is also called 'bleaching' or 'brightening'. More often, tooth whitening is undertaken in a dental practice. If done at home, it should still follow dentist's instructions to ensure safe and effective results.

Need for a guiding hand

How many of us look at our teeth in the mirror and say "I wish they were whiter"?

Numerous products on the market from toothpastes to special creams, promise a 'whitening' effect. But most of them are either ineffective or potentially harmful.

If you want to whiten your teeth, you should do so with a dentist's supervision. Otherwise you risk burning or injuring delicate oral tissues. That is why whitening has become such popular option in dental practices today.

Harmless procedure

Tooth whitening is a dental treatment that can brighten the colour of your tooth enamel, as well as remove stains and discoloration. Changes in colour due to superficial staining caused by coffee, tea or smoking can lighten by four to five shades. When the gray colour is due to the pigmentation within teeth, it will lighten by two to three shades. The procedure itself is harmless and can be done at any age. However not every tooth can be whitened, so dental advice is required first.

Treatment options

Assuming that your natural teeth are amenable to whitening, you can undertake treatment either in the dental practice or at home.

In-surgery tooth whitening
This involves applying a concentrated oxidizing gel to the teeth. The gums around all the upper and lower teeth are covered with a special protective rubber material. The lips and the tongue are gently 'kept out the way' . A special light source applied to each tooth, or to all the teeth together, activates the bleaching process. The entire procedure takes one to one and a half hours. During this time you can listen to music or watch a DVD.

Usually, significant results can be achieved after one visit, but further visits may be requested to achieve the degree of whiteness that you desire.

At-home tooth whitening
The dentist constructs special fitting trays from individual models of the patient's upper and lower teeth. A small amount of oxidizing gel is placed on the inside surface of each tray by the patient and worn overnight for about eight nights.

Can all the teeth be whitened?

The whitening process can work on all natural teeth, although the degree of whitening will depend on age and the initial colour of the teeth. Any 'man made' material used on the teeth, such as crowns, veneers and fillings is not affected. In rare cases when teeth have been badly discoloured as a result of using antibiotics in childhood, whitening alone will be ineffective. More extensive cosmetic work will be required to achieve the effect.

How long will whitening last?
The effects will last up to three years, gradually diminishing over time. It is unlikely that your tooth colour will revert totally to its original shade. Of course, if you pay attention to oral hygiene, avoid heavily stained food and drinks as well as heavy smoking, you will prolong the effect.

Safety

Tooth whitening is safe. The active materials have been used for many years, with no indication of any harmful effects.