What is Teeth Whitening?
This is whitening process that lightens discolouration of enamel and dentine. It is the most popular cosmetic dentistry procedure.
Types of Teeth Whitening
There are two main types of whitening treatment available:
* ‘Zoom’ laser whitening – done in the dentist chair – takes approximately 90 minutes
* Home whitening – done in your own time at home – takes 1 hour per day (10-14 days)
What Causes Teeth to Discolour?
There are many causes of teeth discolouration. The most common are ageing, consumption of tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco. Another cause of darkening of the teeth is nerve degeneration.
Who Would Benefit From Teeth Whitening?
Almost anyone can benefit, but you must remember that old fillings or porcelain crowns or veneers will not respond to the whitening process. A cosmetic dentist would be able to tell you if whitening would be an option for you.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Both treatments use oxygen releasing whitening gel placed against the surface of your teeth. As oxygen enters the enamel and dentine, it whitens the coloured substances. Only the teeth colour is made lighter, while the structure of the teeth remains unchanged.
Combined Whitening and Porcelain Veneers
In some cases a combination of laser whitening, home whitening and porcelain veneers could be a good way to keep to your budget, so that only the teeth that are causing disharmony would have to have porcelain veneers. Firstly the cosmetic dentist would lighten your teeth with ‘Zoom’ laser whitening in the practice and also give you a home whitening kit to use so that your teeth would go to the lightest possible shade. Then the teeth would be prepared for the porcelain veneers and would be made to match your new whiter colour.
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