Chairside tooth whitening is a light-activated whitening session in a dentist’s office It is sometimes called chairside-bleaching and results in instantly and often dramatically whiter teeth. The whitening agent is applied as a gel placed in a mouthpiece or as a strip that sticks to your teeth. Whitening toothpaste is sometimes used. They contain abrasives that remove stains on the enamel.
Chairside bleaching (whitening) refers to bleaching procedures that are not available over the counter. These bleaching techniques require appointments with your dentist and you should be aware that the treatment will not work on crowns, veneers, or bonding. For your information, bleaching procedures change your natural tooth colour, usually anywhere from five to seven shades brighter.
Before deciding on whether to undergo chairside teeth whitening you should be aware of what to expect as well as what it canโt do. It is important to know that tooth whitening is not always universally effective. Not all stains can be lightened by professional bleaching, and your dentist will be able to give you guidance. If you have sensitive teeth, gum disease or teeth with worn enamel, your dentist may discourage tooth whitening. Prior to initiating any form of tooth whitening, a proper examination should be performed to render a proper diagnosis of the cause of discoloration. Once the proper diagnosis and considerations are determined, then the dentist can advise the patient whether he or she is a good candidate for bleaching, which type of bleaching may work well, and what to expect from bleaching. In the examination, the clinician will evaluate both the functional considerations and the aesthetic considerations of the patient.
Speaking of aesthetics, the best aesthetic outcome is achieved when the colour of the teeth match the colour of the sclera of the eyes. Usually, you will have to follow-up the office treatment with some at- home applications.
Some patients worry that teeth whitening may harm their teeth in the long term. You donโt have to worry. Teeth whitening gel will NOT damage or harm your teeth or the tooth enamel. Enamel is considered the hardest tissue in the human body. But your teeth may experience temporary sensitivity after the procedure from the whitening products. This will dissipate.
Once your teeth have been whitened, be aware that after a year or so of eating and drinking normally (coffee, tea, red wine, soft -drinks), your teeth become slightly discoloured again and develop new stains. Tobacco products are also a big contributor as is something no one can control- aging. Over time, the teeth darken with a yellow, brown, green or grey cast (which may be due to heredity and/or eating habits). The good news is that yellowed teeth tend to whiten most readily.ย So, depending on your eating and drinking habits, additional chairside teeth whitening sessions should become a part of your regular regimen of dental hygiene. But, judging from results, itโs definitely worth it.ย In general, for most people, chairside tooth whitening will produce dramatic results resulting in a beautiful, confident smiling you. And, after all, isnโt that the goal of chairside teeth whitening?
