Whitening
Whitening is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures because it can significantly improve the appearance of your teeth at much less cost and inconvenience than other techniques. Tooth whitening lightens teeth and helps to remove stains and improve discolouration. Tooth discolouration can be divided into two groups;
1. Extrinsic (surface) Staining: Everyday, a thin coating of bacteria and protein forms on your teeth and it picks up stains. The outer layer of teeth, called the enamel, contains tubules that can also hold stains. This remains on the surface of your teeth and is generally not too difficult to remove.
The most common reasons for yellowing or stained teeth are smoking, drinking tea and coffee, red wine and some foods such as dark berries and some mouth rinses.
2. Intrinsic (internal) Staining: This refers to the pigments that have become incorporated into the internal structure of the tooth. As we age, so do our teeth and the inner layer of teeth, dentine, becomes more yellow and visible. There are other reasons that our inner teeth may discolour such as a childhood sickness or taking a lot of antibiotics while the teeth are forming. These stains are not so easily removed, whitening might lighten the teeth but other methods of cosmetic improvement, such as porcelain veneers or crowns might be required to correct the shade of the teeth.
It has been reported in the media that using cheap over the counter products to remove stains and improve tooth colour can have a detrimental effect, as these products are highly abrasive and high in hydrogen peroxide content. This is why we suggest that whitening be done under the supervision of a dentist.
Whitening is not a one-time treatment. Top up applications may be required in order to maintain the brighter colour. For a personalised smile analysis please contact us.