What is cosmetic tooth bleaching?

Cosmetic tooth bleaching is a process that whitens stained teeth. 

Why do teeth stain in the first place?

There are many things that can stain teeth.  Prescription medication can do it.  Cigarettes, tea, and coffee will surely do it.  Some people also have a genetic predisposition to their teeth getting stained, and some people have teeth that seem to yellow with age. 

Can all of these people be helped?
Yes.

Can it be done in only one appointment?

Some dentists perform this service entirely in one visit by applying a gel and using a laser to activate it.  We have found that this creates undo tooth sensitivity.  We have also found that a special high intensity light can be used instead of a laser that produces the same results.  It simply takes two appointments total, plus some at-home care on the part of the patient.

What happens during the first tooth bleaching appointment?

The dentist applies a special tooth whitening gel to the patients teeth and hardens it with a high intensity light.  After about 2 hours, there is marked improvement in the appearance of the patients smile. 

What is the at-home treatment like?

The dentist will prepare for the patient special trays for home bleaching.  These trays are custom fitted to the mouth for maximum effectiveness and comfort.  The patient uses them, along with a special cosmetic tooth bleaching gel, each evening for about 20 minutes. 

What does the second tooth bleaching appointment consist of?

The dentist applies a special coating that seals the procedure and uses the high intensity light to harden it.

How does do-it-yourself tooth bleaching work?

It uses over the counter trays and bleaching agents.  We do not recommend that Houstonians use these products.  There are several reasons for this.  For one thing, the quality of the contents can be variable.  The gel may also be of a low viscosity, which will cause it to leak onto gums and irritate them. 

Also, there is no such thing as a one size fits all tooth whitening gel tray.  Most trays simply do not fit most peoples teeth like they should.  If the tray fits very poorly, a person might swallow the bleaching gel or damage the gums in an attempt to force the tray over the teeth.  Traumatized gums can then get infected and cause an entire litany of new problems.

What is so much better about having a dentist do it?
It is done in a controlled environment that protects the well-being of teeth and gums.  The trays are made from molds the dentist takes from an individuals teeth.  This causes the trays to precisely match the persons teeth with no stress to the gums.

Is the tooth bleach that is used by cosmetic dentists different than the bleach used in home whitening kits?

Yes.  The bleach used by cosmetic dentists has a higher hydrogen peroxide concentration than that which is found in over-the-counter kits.  This concentration may be low as 9 percent or as high as 40 percent, depending on the patient. 

Are there side effects to cosmetic tooth bleaching?

There are no side effects, other than very mild sensitivity to temperature, when professional tooth whitening is performed.  However, as previously mentioned, the use of over-the-counter whitening kits can cause all sorts of problems. 

Teeth typically stay white for six months to a year.  Sometimes they stay white for longer than that.  Of course, if a person does not alter diet and drop smoking, coffee, and certain teas, he or she is looking for results to last about six months at best.