Teeth Whitening
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Teeth whitening is, by far, the most popular cosmetic dental procedure. Dental Whitening procedures fit within almost any budget and the results are quick. Technically, there is a difference between teeth whitening and teeth bleaching.

Whitening means to brighten your teeth by removing stain caused from staining foods and beverages (berries, coffee, wine, tea, etc).

This stain removal whitens teeth back to their naturally white stage. Bleaching refers to lightening a tooth from the inside-out. Bleaching brightens the inside (dentin) of the tooth, thereby making the whole natural tooth whiter.

Who is a good candidate for teeth whitening?

Almost everyone is a candidate for teeth whitening or teeth bleaching. However, some dark teeth are much more resistant to the dental whitening procedures. Teeth that are discolored with dark gray or reddish shades are the most resistant to teeth whitening; an example of this type of dark shade appears in teeth affected by tetracycline. Still, even these dark teeth will whiten to some degree with long-term compliance. Depending on the results you desire, whitening may be an option for dark (gray/red) teeth. Otherwise porcelain veneers are an excellent option and allow you to choose how white you want your smile to be.

Whitening removes stains, via polishing of the surface of the tooth (this is why some over-the-counter toothpastes can claim “whitening”, while bleaching sends peroxide into the tooth to whiten the organic material inside.

What is the material used for teeth whitening?

Peroxide (either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) is the agent used in professional dental whitening procedures. The peroxide enters the teeth and whitens the inside layers (dentin) of the teeth.

What types of professional whitening systems are the best?

we pride ourselves on staying at the forefront of cosmetic dentistry — this includes whitening technology. We offer several different systems, including professional-grade strips, custom trays, and in-office whitening.
  • 1-Hour In-Office Whitening: In-office procedure is done by your cosmetic dentist using a light or laser on professional grade gel with higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. For this popular power-whitening cosmetic dentistry treatment procedure, your dentist at Tyagi Dental Clinic first protects your gums, and then applies a concentrated whitening agent. The oxidizing agent triggers the gel and produces good results.
  • Custom Trays: “Take-Home Trays” :- Whitening with custom trays is the system that has been most widely used over time. It is considered the gold standard for teeth whitening. We make models of your teeth and fabricate a clear plastic tray that fits perfectly. You are given syringes of whitening gel to place in your trays. Then you wear your trays with the gel in them for an hour each day or — if you are able — at night while you sleep. The peroxide gel enters your teeth and, though the same process as other professional whitening systems, whitens your teeth from the inside-out. One of the benefits of having these trays is that when you run out of gel, you only need to purchase more gel syringes- not a whole new system. So, it’s great for touch-ups (say after a month of heavy Starbucks).
  • Are over-the-counter (OTC) products effective? :- They use a low concentration peroxide gel. Because they are a lower concentration gel than you get from the dentist, they do not work as well as a professional system.
  • How long do whitening results last? :- The best answer to this question is: it depends. Some people smoke. Some people drink coffee, tea and red wine every single day. Some people drink only an occasional coffee drink. We refer to these foods, beverages and habits because they stain your teeth. A good rule of thumb is that if it will stain a white shirt, it will stain your teeth. So, if you never do things that stain your teeth, then your whitening results will last a long time. And, if you do, the results will more quickly fade over time. The bright side (no pun intended) is that after a teeth whitening procedure, the insides of your teeth will not likely ever return to the dark shade where they began.
  • How long will it take to whiten my teeth? :- The answer depends on which system you are using, how dark your teeth are to start with, and how white you want to get your teeth. If you are using an at-home system, the typical systems require you to whiten every day for 10 days to 2 weeks. If your teeth are very dark to begin with, it may take several weeks of wearing trays while you sleep. Finally, if you are using an in-office system, it takes – on average – 3 procedures to reach maximum brightness. Sometimes, patients will use the in-office dental whitening procedure as a jump-start to an at-home teeth whitening procedure in order to maximize the results.
  • How white will my teeth get? :- Teeth whitening have long lasting effects. For an optimum result, following up maintenance and touch ups are necessary to preserve the whiter teeth that you have achieved. Brushing and flossing regularly can help in safeguarding the results of teeth whitening. Refraining or cutting down on food and drinks that causes staining are also essential in maintaining the effects of the whitening procedure.