Dental Bleaching

Dental bleaching is a common procedure in modern dental science and is used to lighten the shade of teeth affected by discoloration or staining. It involves the use of a bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to lift the discoloration from the surface of a tooth. This procedure is often done both in-office, called power bleaching, and at-home using trays and whitening gel. The most common cause of tooth discoloration is due to staining from food and beverages, tobacco use, and some medications. Although regular brushing and flossing helps prevent such staining, even good oral hygiene may not be enough and discoloration may still occur. Dental bleaching is a safe, simple, and relatively inexpensive way to enhance the brightness of your teeth and give your smile that extra dazzle. Furthermore, bleach-resistant stains, such as those from tetracycline antibiotics, may require extended or more frequent bleaching sessions to achieve desired results. Power bleaching is administered by a dentist in a single office visit and typically takes about an hour to complete. This type of procedure uses powerful lights, lasers, or other specialized equipment in combination with a chemical agent to break down, or oxidize, the molecules that make up the stain or discoloration. The entire process is done under the supervision of a qualified and experienced dentist to ensure that the bleaching agent is properly applied and safe to use. At-home bleaching is a process of using trays filled with a bleaching agent to lighten the shade of teeth over a period of a few weeks. While the results of at-home bleaching are not as dramatic as with power bleaching, this approach is often more cost effective and can still leave you with noticeably whiter teeth. Whichever method is chosen, it is important to note that dental bleaching is not a permanent solution for tooth discoloration. Treating the underlying cause, such as by changing lifestyle choices and habits, is the only way to ensure that the brightness of your smile is sustained over time. Furthermore, periodic maintenance bleaching may be necessary to keep your teeth looking their best.