you tired of hiding your teeth every time you smile? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a big, bright, beautiful smile? Well, tooth whitening isn't just for the movie stars, and tooth whitening isn't just for one day. Millions of people have had their teeth bleached, and probably millions more are thinking about it. Tooth Whitening will safely lighten the color of the teeth, reduce discoloration and staining and give you a brighter smile which will last for up to five years.

The term "teeth whitening" can refer to a number of techniques to improve the brightness of the patient's teeth. Among them are chemical whitening, mild acid whitening, abrasive teeth brightening and the newest technique, laser teeth whitening.

Why have my teeth lost there whiteness?
How white will my teeth be after teeth whitening treatment?

Are there different methods to choose from?

Advantages & Disadvantages of Teeth Whitening in General

Before and After Teeth Whitening treatment

Why have my teeth lost there whiteness?
There are many causes. The most common include genetics, aging, consumption of staining substances (smoking, coffee, tea, and sweet drinks), tetracycline (antibiotic) staining, excessive fluoride, and old fillings.

Staining is not the only factor that can affect the color of an individual's teeth. Some people just have naturally brighter enamel than others. There can also be medical reasons for any change in the color of your teeth. This may be a side-effect of the medication or in some cases discoloration may be caused by the disease itself. If you suspect that there is an underlying medical cause for your teeth discoloration, be sure to inform your cosmetic dentist.


How white will my teeth be after treatment?
Some whitening procedures claim they can whiten your teeth by up to nine shades, but that is highly unlikely. However, a change of two or three shades will make a significant difference in just about anyone's smile. There is no one standard system in the dental field to measure and determine tooth color. The most often heard about, however, is the Vita shade guide. This guide divides tooth color into four basic shade ranges:

A) Reddish Brown

B) Reddish Yellow

C) Gray

D) Reddish Gray

In the A range there are five levels of darkness. Ranges B, C and D, each have four levels.

Not many people are aware that your teeth are not all the same natural color. Usually your eye teeth tend to be darker than the others, your front teeth are typically the whitest, and molars tend to be a shade between the two. Your dentist will try to give you the whitest smile possible while trying to ensure that your look remains natural. During your first consultation for tooth whitening, your dentist will go over what you personally can expect for your specific smile. The final outcome will be determined not only by the structure of your teeth but by the type of procedure you and your dentist decide to follow.


Are there different methods to choose from?
‘Tooth Whitening’ is a chemical process used to lighten the color of the patient's teeth. The procedure can be performed entirely in the cosmetic dentist's office or it can be performed by the patient in their home, using materials provided by the dentist. However, bleaching is not the only option. Many people are opting for a process called Laser Tooth Whitening.

Whitening toothpaste can remove a stain that is on the outside of the teeth. Dentists call this extrinsic staining. However, whitening toothpaste and professional dental cleanings will not change the color or intrinsic staining of the teeth. That is why bleaching is so popular.

Bleaching is much cheaper than crowns or veneers and research indicates that it is completely effective in more than 90% of people.

Disadvantages :
Some people experience discomfort from wearing the mouth guard. Your mouth should adjust in time but if you suspect that there is a problem with the fit of your mouth tray, call your dentist's office. It is possible to make small adjustments that would minimize or eliminate any discomfort.

Although bleaching is very effective, there can be short term disadvantages, such as sore gums or teeth from the bleach. This will disappear when the treatment is discontinued. Some individuals are more chemically sensitive. If you have had problems with this in the past, inform your cosmetic dentist so that you can be tested for sensitivity to the solution.

Despite all the recent advances in bleaching, there are times when it is not possible to whiten a person’s teeth, either because there are large fillings, or veneers or crowns in place. Bleaching does not lighten artificial materials such as resins, silicants, or porcelains. Certain drugs taken in childhood, tetracyclines for instance, can leave dark colors that cannot be changed by chemical bleaching. In these cases, porcelain veneers or crowns can be used. They do have the advantage that teeth can be reshaped and repositioned in a very easy way, and the color change is permanent.

There are also times when bleaching is not considered the best choice. In cases of severe discoloration veneers or crowns may be the superior choice. Teeth darkened with the color of yellow, brown or orange respond better to lightening. If you have very sensitive teeth, periodontal disease, or teeth with worn enamel, your dentist may discourage bleaching.

No one can really predict how much lighter your teeth will become as every case is different. The success rate depends upon the type of stain involved and your compliance.