The quickest and easiest way to whiten teeth is in-office bleaching or whitening. As its name implies, this is done in a dental clinic under the supervision of a dentist who uses a higher concentration of peroxide.
The whitening agent is applied directly to the teeth and exposed to heat, a special light or a laser to speed up the whitening process. Teeth become three to eight shades whiter with just one 30- to 60-minute treatment while dramatic results can be achieved instantly with laser-enhanced bleaching. Results can last for one to five years.
But these benefits come with a price. In-office bleaching can cost over P8,000 per arch or as high as P40,000 for the entire mouth. While over-the-counter bleaching systems that I discussed earlier are less expensive, the lack of dental supervision in these methods can be risky for some.
"Dentist-supervised at-home bleaching and in-office treatments offer additional benefits compared with over-the-counter procedures. First, your dentist can perform an oral examination and consider your complete medical history, which can be helpful in determining how your teeth became discolored and if bleaching is an appropriate course of treatment based on your type, the extent of stains, and type, number and location of restorations. Your dentist can then better match the type of stain with the best treatment, if appropriate, to lighten those stains," explained WebMD and the Cleveland Clinic Department of Dentistry.
"With dentist-supervised bleaching procedures, your dentist will likely want to see you a couple of times to ensure you are following directions, to make sure the customized tray is fitting properly, to inspect your gums for signs of irritation, and to generally check on how the teeth whitening process is proceeding. With over-the-counter bleaching products, you are on your own," they added.
Another option for people with discolored teeth is dental bonding. Here a tough plastic material that resembles the color of the teeth is applied and hardened with a special light. This helps the material bond to the teeth and improves the latter's appearance.
Aside from whitening teeth, bonding can also repair decayed or chipped teeth, close spaces between the teeth and change the shape of the teeth. Among cosmetic dental procedures, bonding is the easiest and less expensive. Anesthesia is seldom required and this can be done in one office visit in about 30 to 60 minutes unless several teeth are involved. The bonding material lasts for about three to 10 years.
"The surface of the tooth will be roughened and a conditioning liquid applied. These procedures help the bonding material adhere to the tooth. The tooth-colored, puttylike resin is then applied, molded and smoothed to the desired shape. An ultraviolet light or laser is then used to harden the material. After the material is hardened, your dentist will further trim and shape it, and polish it to match the sheen of the rest of the tooth surface," said WebMD.
But like all good things, bonding doesn't last. The material can chip and crack if you bite your fingernails, bite your pen or chew ice or other hard foods or objects. For this reason, it is often used to correct minor cosmetic defects or in front teeth that have very low bite pressure.
"Although the material used in dental bonding is somewhat stain resistant, it does not resist stains as well as crowns. Another disadvantage is that the bonding materials do not last as long nor are as strong as other restorative procedures, such as crowns, veneers, or fillings. Additionally, bonding materials can chip and break off the tooth," revealed WebMD. (Next: Dental veneers for whiter teeth?)
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com
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