Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Tooth bleaching
I have only one dark tooth. Is it possible to whiten it?
Yes. The darkening of only one tooth is due to some trauma. Usually these teeth have already undergone a root canal procedure. In such cases, we use Walking Bleach technique, which involves the removal of the restoration from the access done for root canal treatment and placement of bleaching material inside the tooth crown. This procedure is repeated as many times as required until the dark tooth equals to the surrounding teeth. If the darkened tooth has not canal treatment, we use the home whitening technique only in the particular tooth with plastic trays.
I have done tooth bleaching twice. Can I do it again?
Yes, you can whiten your teeth as often as necessary. The important is that the treatment is always supervised by your dentist. Most patients who have undergone a bleaching technique experience, after about three years, experience regression to the original color of the teeth. This is due to habits like smoking, drinking red wine, not attending the dental office frequently to clean the teeth, etc.
What is the best technique for home whitening treatment?
There are many options available; however, the most effective, scientifically proven is NiteWhite and DayWhite from company Discus.(Didier Dietschi/Sandrine Rossier/Ivo Krejci-Quintessence july/august 2006).
What is the best technique for clinical whitening treatment?
There are many options on the market, but the laser has not been shown to be a good option due to post-operative sensitivity and unsatisfactory results. Techniques using intense light sources provide better results. We use Zoom! Advanced Power, which has been recommended by several researchers worldwide from Esthetic Dentistry and we have obtained very satisfactory results. Almost 100% of patients leave the office with very clear teeth and with no post-operative sensitivity.
Which of the two whitening techniques works best? Clinical or home whitening?
Home whitening is more durable and the clinical whitening is faster. Home treatment is cheaper, but much longer. The patient must have the discipline to use the trays all night long for several weeks. It is a less expensive alternative and suitable for people with a high degree of sensitivity to light-induced bleaching. Clinical technique is not indicated for all patients, especially those under therapy with certain photoreactive antibiotics or who have worn teeth. It is better for patients who can not use trays, are in a hurry to whiten teeth and also for smokers. We should emphasize that the clinical bleaching with no use of trays for at least one week after treatment will show a very rapid relapse (3 to 4 months), this is because it only works in the enamel area, while home technique whitens the enamel and dentin (Didier Dietschi/Sandrine Rossier/Ivo Krejci_Quintessence july-august 2006).
What is home whitening (bleaching)?
This method is done by the patient at home with plastic trays. We use the material from Night White ACP, considered the most safe and effective according to the latest studies.
What is clinical whitening?
This is performed in the dental office in just one session. A higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide activated by high density light is used to accelerate the whitening process. It lasts about an hour, but a prior consultation and complete X-ray are required to asssess whether the patient really needs clinical whitening.It is also important to note that clinical whitening without using trays at home will provide a recurrence of color in a short time (3 to 4 months).
Why do teeth get darken?
There are basically two types of color changes: those caused by extrinsic factors and those caused by intrinsic factors. Those caused by extrinsic factors are common and usually result from the level of teeth surface staining, caused mostly by excessive consumption of coffee, tea, mate, red wine, soft drinks containing cola, the presence of dyes in food and tobacco. The intensity of this type of stain worse when there is a defect in the enamel surface. In this case, the dentin is exposed or there is recession exposing the root surface. These irregularities allow the stain to penetrate into the tooth to depths that make their removal virtually impossible. Discoloration caused by intrinsic factors are much more complicated and difficult to treat. It may involve the enamel or dentin, and congenital or acquired causes that are incorporated into the tooth structure are only removed through tooth whitening or using even more extreme procedures involving the wearing of the teeth and the tooth restoration (porcelain laminates). The congenital color changes include those of tooth malformation, such as dentinogenesis imperfecta and fluorosis. Those acquired are classified as pre- or post-irruptive. The pre-irruptive ones, for example, include color change due to trauma or other causes (aging, physiological wear, amalgam or metal restorations, remnants of necrotic pulp, etc).
How to whiten your teeth?
A prophylaxis with ultrasound, bicarbonate streams or abrasive paste may be sufficient. However, when the stains are in high concentrations, more extreme measures for whitening might be required, such as scraping and systematic corono radicular strengthening and even dental whitening per se. If the teeth continue with unwanted coloring, the only solution will be restorations with porcelain plates.