Laser Tooth Whitening
Why would I need my teeth whitening?
There are lots of reasons why people feel they need to whiten their teeth, most of which are for cosmetic purposes – there aren’t many instances where whitening is necessary for health reasons. Badly stained enamel is at the top of that list, this means exposing the white surface of your teeth to food and drink that can leave a residue behind that soaks into the porous enamel and leaves it’s colour behind, usually coupled with a sloppy approach to oral hygiene.
Antibiotics have been blamed for leaving teeth an unattractive yellow colour, especially if they are taken for long periods of time. Smokers are also noticeable by their discoloured teeth; the nicotine and other chemicals are very bad for the enamel, the gums, the lips, the tongue, generally every area of the mouth and the rest of the body.
Of course, for some people the colour of their teeth is completely out of their hands – whether it’s all in the DNA, or the passing of time has had a darkening effect on the outer mineral layers. As we age, the enamel on the outside of our teeth becomes more absorbent and can’t fight staining as well as when we were younger. Unfortunately, this is likely to be something we all suffer with as we get older, but lazer teeth whitening can help bring back the brighter smile we remember.
How does it work?
Lazer tooth whitening aims to break down the layers of staining that can build up over time, by using a small amount of bleach and a curing light to leave the enamel a natural white colour. Although the treatment is generally referred to as ‘Lazer’ whitening, it doesn’t actually use a lazer anymore, the equipment is far more advanced and effective than it was when it first entered surgeries a few decades ago.
Professional tooth whitening procedures are very simple and practically painless, they can also be performed in under an hour inmost cases. After an initial check-up by your dentist, just to make sure the condition of your teeth doesn’t prohibit the treatment, you will have bleaching gel applied in a generous layer to the surface of your teeth. Whilst this is underway, your gums should be protected from the gel with either cotton wool or a shielding agent. Then your mouth is exposed to the curing blue light, which heats the components in the get and maximises the bleaching process. Even though the light reacts with the gel, it won’t heat your gums or face, it will only activate the bleach to break through the stains on your teeth. After about fifteen minutes the gel will be removed and then another layer reapplied to get the best result possible. After a third session with the curing light, the treatment is complete and you should be left with a radiant, bright smile. Some patients find the best course of action is to return for another round of bleaching after their first one, but this is not always necessary, it’s possible to be in and out within the hour. Your dentist at the Pearl Dental Clinic will be able to advise you on what action to take after your procedure; it’s generally advisable to return for a follow-up appointment if it’s your first experience with tooth whitening.
What results can I expect?
That is mostly dependent on what condition your teeth where in when you approached your dentist for treatment. People with deep staining that has built up over years from heavy smoking or drinking will probably need more than one treatment, and even then the results might not be what they were looking for. Most other patients who have some light stains or darker teeth as a result of ageing can expect to see a dramatic effect after the whitening procedure. In general, the bleaching process can lighten teeth by eight shades or more, not something you can accomplish at home with DIY kits. If you come out of the surgery worrying that your teeth are now unnaturally white, be aware that there is a period where the enamel tends to lapse back slightly through the shade chart, this is because they are dehydrated during the whitening treatment and they will start to rehydrate when it is over, causing them to darken again to some degree. For some patients this is not what they were hoping for, but a repeat visit should put the problem straight.
Does it hurt?
The worst you will feel after a tooth whitening procedure is some tenderness or sensitivity, many people won’t experience any discomfort at all. The treatment is non-invasive and doesn’t require a long recovery time, any stitches, needles or anaesthetics. If you’re worried or nervous about the process, talk it through with your dentist beforehand, they’ll be happy to tell you that it’s a very low risk treatment, with minimal side effects.
The only real complication may come from the bleach leaking away from the teeth and onto the gums, irritating the soft tissue, however, the gel used in most reputable surgeries has a very high level of viscosity, meaning it stays on the teeth where it belongs. Even if you do find some of the gel has touched your gums, you should find the only evidence is a slightly discoloured gum line or some irritation that won’t last more than a few days.
Some patients find that they should stay away from hot or cold drinks in the hours after treatment, it won’t effect the colour of the teeth, but there can be a certain amount of discomfort from exposure to extreme temperatures – this is due to the sensitivity of the teeth and should only be a problem for a day, two at the most. If you feel you are experiencing painful or excessive side effects from your treatment, call your dentist right away and they will be able to advise you on the best course of action – for out of hours concerns, contact an emergency clinic.