Perfect Teeth

Your smile is one of the most viewed parts of your body, so having perfect teeth is important. To do this means you need all of your teeth, you need them to be straight, and you need them to be white. To make this possible you may need to consider a number of possible treatments. To ensure you have teeth in all the right places and that these teeth are complete, you may need to consider dental implants, cost of veneers, cost of Lumineers, or even a dental bridge. If you have all your teeth, then ensuring they are straight with some orthodontic work or braces may make sense. And things such as Zoom whitening, tooth bleaching or even laser teeth whitening to get your teeth white.

Dental Work

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Tooth Bleaching

Written by Administrator. Posted in Dental Work

Tooth bleaching is now a mass market cosmetic dental procedure that is enhancing the smiles of millions of people across the world.

Because tooth bleaching is relatively cheap, compared to most cosmetic dentistry procedures, it has become the cosmetic dentistry procedure of choice amongst many and our tooth whitening or tooth bleaching guide below takes you through exactly what's involved ...

Name of procedure(s): Tooth whitening or dental whitening, laser tooth whitening, tooth bleaching.

Part(s) of body affected: Teeth

Condition addressed: Stained and discoloured teeth caused by diet and smoking, age, certain antibiotics, or natural pigmentation.

Teeth whitening benefits: Lightens the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surface.

Suitable for:
? Natural teeth ? not dentures, crowns or veneers.
? Superficial surface stains can be removed using a whitening tooth paste or professional scale and polish with your dentist. For tougher stains a prophyflex or airflow stain removal can be used ? a jet of compressed air, water and sodium bicarbonate particles is fired under pressure at the tooth surface.
? Deep stains which have worked their way into your tooth structure require professional teeth whitening using peroxide.
? Some discolorations are inherited or occur as your teeth develop. In severe cases porcelain veneers or cosmetic bonding may be the only option. Link to cosmetic dentistry section?

Teeth whitening procedures:
In-surgery teeth whitening ? a rubber shield or gel is applied to your gums for protection, then the peroxide-based whitening product is applied to your teeth using a custom-made tray which fits like a gum shield.

Laser teeth whitening ? teeth are painted with a hydrogen peroxide gel and then a strong light or laser is aimed at your teeth to accelerate the teeth whitening process.

Home teeth bleaching kits ? provided by your dentist who will custom-make a mouthguard for you. Hydrogen peroxide gel is applied to the mouthguard, which is worn each night for a few weeks.

On the day:
In-surgery teeth whitening ? The total treatment can usually be done within three to four weeks. First, you will need two or three visits to the dentist who will initially make a mouthguard and take impressions.
Once your dentist has started treatment you?ll need to continue at home by applying the teeth whitening product over two to four weeks, for 30 minutes to one hour at a time.
Laser whitening ? Once your dentist has assessed your teeth and agrees you are suitable for the treatment, the procedure usually takes about one hour.

Results: This really depends on your particular teeth and what system you?ve used. Your dentist will be able to indicate how your teeth will respond to specific treatments.

Potential risks or side effects: You may experience sensitivity with your teeth either during and/or after dental whitening treatment, have gum discomfort, a sore throat or white patches on your gum line. These symptoms are temporary and should settle down after a day or two. Try to avoid hot or cold food and drinks during the first 48 hours after your treatment.

Length of benefit: The home teeth or dental whitening kits provide more permanent results over a longer time scale whereas laser whitening offers immediate results. You can help to prolong the effect by staying away from food/drinks that stain, as well as cigarettes. While whitening toothpastes don?t affect the natural colour of your teeth, only tackling surface staining, they may help the effect last once your teeth have been professionally whitened.

Over-the-counter teeth whitening kits: Over the counter teeth whitening kits are not effective as they usually contain only a small concentration of the whitening product hydrogen peroxide.

The legal limit in the UK is 0.1% of hydrogen peroxide and effective bleaching products need to have about 3.6%. So this type of home kit won?t make a noticeable difference to your teeth.

Also, some contain mild acids or are abrasive, which can cause ulcers and damage to the gums if not used properly. Speak to your dentist before attempting any treatments yourself.

>> Find a good cosmetic dentist near you