Your smile becomes brighter, and your confidence goes higher after teeth whitening. This understanding is why you don’t want your whitening procedure messed up. Therefore, you need to enlist the services of a teeth whitening dentist with a solid reputation for revamping dentition colour.
The way to ensure you’re working with an expert dentist is by understanding the procedure for teeth whitening. When you know what to expect from teeth whitening at a dentist and how it works, your choice of a dental professional becomes easier.
Teeth whitening is commonly prescribed for persons who have discoloured teeth. Usually, the discolourations result from habits like smoking, chronic tea or coffee consumption, or negligence of oral care. However, it can also be a result of genetic issues.
Here, we’ll walk you through the procedures you’ll undergo when visiting a teeth whitening dentist. In addition, you’ll also understand what may happen after the operation. So, without wasting time, let’s get into it!
Procedure for Teeth Whitening at the Dentist
More Canadians now understand that dental procedures aren’t difficult. This notion explains the rise in dentist visits for issues like teeth whitening.
Teeth whitening has a structured process. Let’s get into detailed steps to in-office teeth whitening. These are the stages you’ll go through with a teeth whitening dentist.
Teeth Cleansing Comes First
Professional teeth whitening starts with your dentist intricately cleaning your dental framework. This fore procedure removes debris, discoloration, and tartar buildup from your teeth’s surface.
Furthermore, it’s even possible that this step alone can improve your teeth’s appearance. In fact, it can transform to the point where whitening treatments aren’t necessary.
Review Cleaning
Your dentist will apply a polishing paste to your teeth at the beginning of your whitening session. This action is to remove any accumulated stains or debris.
Pre-whitening Tooth Colour Determination
The second step is to determine what colour your teeth are before treatment. Your teeth whitening dentist will use a shade guide to record the colour of your teeth before treatment.
After your bleaching procedure, you and your dentist will be curious about this transformation. Your dentist will need to take a picture of your teeth’ colour before treatment. This action will significantly help to make before & after teeth whitening comparisons.
Engaging a Dental Color Guide
Your dentist will compare your teeth to the samples with a colour guide. A shade guide is a collection of tooth-shaped porcelain tabs with slight colour differences for clarity.
Afterwards, your teeth whitening dentist records this figure in your chart. And then, they’ll determine which sample best meets your needs.
Please take notice of the following:
- Your dentist may use electronic equipment to measure your teeth’s colour instead of using a shade guide.
- In some cases, your dentist may also take a picture of your smile with the selected tab visible to document your shade further.
- Consistency is more important than the approach utilized. Before and after measurements should be performed using the same procedure, with the same individuals, and under the same lighting circumstances.
Teeth Isolation Comes Next
The next step in this teeth whitening guide is isolating your teeth. Soft tissues may be irritated or damaged by the peroxide whiteners used with professional whitening solutions. In fact, your mouth isn’t just at risk; your face and eyes are also vulnerable — enter dental dams for protection.
As a precaution, your dentist will use a “dental dam” to keep surrounding tissues safe while working on your teeth. The common ones include liquid dams and rubber dams for teeth whitening at the dentist.
- Liquid Dam: In some cases, your dentist will administer this gel to the gum tissue around your teeth to provide a barrier. And the gel is usually shot out of a syringe.
Next, your teeth whitening dentist will beam their dental “curing” on the gel. This light further operates on the gel once it has been placed correctly. It triggers an enzyme in the gel, causing it to harden in seconds.
Afterwards, your teeth will be protected by a barrier that encircles each of them. It stops the whitener from penetrating the gums and contaminating them. Lastly, your dentist will easily remove the dam after treatment.
- Rubber Dam: Dentists call this type of dental dam a “rubber dam” since it’s a thin latex sheet.
The latex is drilled and administered, one for each tooth. It’s then positioned over the patient’s teeth and secured in place.
Latex sheets work as a barrier to protect the gums and lips from the whitener. As you know, whiteners are applied to apparent teeth.
The typical method of isolating teeth is using rubber dams. However, a newer and more convenient option is the use of liquid dams.
You may want to know how many teeth for which this procedure is planned. Here, speaking with your teeth whitening dentist is vital. Ensure you don’t have any shocks by asking your dentist ahead of time which teeth you’ll be whitening.
Some dentists are familiar with whitening the six or eight most visible teeth on each jaw. And this may simply be a matter of recurrence. Alternatively, they may follow a policy of treating whatever tooth they can get their hands on.
Therefore, you should look at your widest smile in the mirror and figure out what you value most. Then, make sure your dentist is prepared.
Furthermore, teeth whitening patients’ tissues can be protected by other techniques. In other words, dentists can use different isolation materials in addition to a dental dam. Among the most common are:
- Gauze and Cotton rolls: These objects are fitted under or inserted in your mouth for more protection and retraction.
- Cheek Retractor: They ensure that your lips and cheeks cause no obstructions during whitening procedures.
- A Face Bib: is nothing more than a piece of paper that covers your lips and keeps the rest of your face safe.
- Eye Shielding Shades: Wearing eye protection (glasses) is always a good idea for any dental operation. If a bleaching light is being used, you’ll want to wear sunglasses with a tint to protect your eyes.
Professional whiteners often contain hydrogen peroxide in concentrations ranging from 15% to 50%. On the other hand, the highest concentration of hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel available for use in bleaching trays is usually as high as 14%.
The above shows the degree of gum irritation induced by contact with the whitener is pretty minor when your teeth whitening dentist uses lower concentration in-office products. Although isolation of the teeth is less vital, it’s still necessary in some form.
Related Article: 11 Tips for Faster Recovery After a Tooth Extraction
Applying the Whitener is the Next Step
Here, your teeth whitening dentist will now apply the bleaching agent.
Most times, you’ll find thick paste or gel in professional-grade whiteners. These substances are then generously applied or spread on your teeth.
Whitener Activation (optional)
A bleaching light or laser may be used to “activate” the whitener in some in-office systems. And only a handful of systems recommend whitener activation by “light activation.”
The idea behind this step is that the light activates a chemical reaction in the whitener. And this reaction, in turn, enhances its efficacy.
Dentists and dental researchers disagree on the necessity of light activation. This discord is because it is omitted from some professional systems. Also, a host of others regard it as optional.
Additionally, several dental studies show that the usage of a bleaching light isn’t necessary for most systems. Therefore, we can conclude that light units appear to be used more to impress patients than produce outcomes.
The Whitener Is Allowed To Take Effect
Generally, in-office bleaching visits can be completed within 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the product utilized.
Multiple applications of the whitener can be made during the treatment session (up to 4).
There are instances the whitener is constantly “reawakened” by applying more throughout the bleaching process. And this is usually if only a single application is performed.
Sensitivity
Professional teeth whitening treatment may cause some sensitivity in the beginning. Here’s where you teeth whitening dentist’s expertise and discretion kick in.
Your dentist may decide to shorten your treatment period. Or they may miss one or more rounds of administering the whitener based on what happens.
It’s Time To Call It A Day On Your Bleaching Session
At this point, the teeth whitener has remained on your teeth for the recommended timeframe. Therefore, your teeth whitening dentist in Ontario can safely remove the whitening solution.
The dentist will do a final cleaning and rinsing step. It’s then possible to remove the dental dam and other isolation materials or devices in your mouth.
Your Dentist Will Measure the Final Colour of Your Teeth After Bleaching
Just like in the beginning, your dentist will do another hue analysis once the bleaching process is over. This evaluation will show the level of whitening that has happened.
But sometimes, this measurement may not be accurate. For example, a colour-change examination just after a whitening procedure isn’t considered a valid measurement by many professionals.
The above reason stands because teeth can become dehydrated when whitened. Therefore, they’re inevitably brighter than before. In other words, the lightning effects you notice after professional teeth whitening isn’t always a function of the whitener.
As such, it’s likely your teeth’s colour upon finishing your procedure won’t last. Instead, your teeth may darken a little as they rehydrate in some days or hours.
When it comes to dental research, the dehydration impact of bleaching is well-known. This position is why dentists typically wait at least two weeks before making a post-bleaching colour examination.
Fluoride Treatment (optional)
Your dentist may recommend receiving a fluoride treatment following your teeth-whitening procedure. There are good reasons:
- Fluoride treatment can lessen teeth sensitivity to extreme temperatures. For example, it reduces the reaction caused by very hot or cold food and beverages.
- Some teeth whiteners are moderately acidic and can remove minerals from the teeth’s surface. Fluoride can aid in the remineralization process in these dental regions.
For your information, fluoride isn’t the only option available for these objectives. Amorphous calcium phosphate and potassium nitrate are combinations of some other popular substitutes.
Potassium nitrate is used as a desensitizer for the teeth. Likewise, tooth remineralization is made easier with the help of calcium phosphate.
The in-office compound for this phase may be prescribed to you to use at home. So you don’t have to visit the dentist for its application constantly. You can use plastic trays or brushes on the gel to apply it.
What To Expect After Teeth Whitening Procedure
Your teeth whitening dentist will likely recommend you abstain from staining agents. These agents include tea, coffee and red wine.
It would help if you refrained from them for the first few hours following your bleaching session. Also, if you’re a smoker, you’ll need to avoid cigarettes for the first two hours.
There’s a thin protective coating known as “dental pellicle.” It covers the enamel surface of healthy teeth. Removal takes place during the bleaching procedure. Without it, teeth are more susceptible to discoloration.
Spit-derived substances produce the pellicle, which takes around two hours to reassemble naturally. Consequently, it’s crucial to avoid chromogenic substances like coke and coffee throughout this time.
Your teeth whitening dentist may also prescribe treatments you can continue from home.
In most situations, expert treatment gives you a headway to rapid change in teeth colour. But the at-home whitening methods prescribed by your dentist is what eventually get your teeth to “ultimate whiteness.”
Possible Side Effects After Teeth Whitening Procedure
Some likely side effects of teeth whitening include:
- You may feel discomfort if your teeth are naturally extra sensitive.
- It’s possible to feel extra contact with hot or cold edibles.
- You may feel some ticklish sensations.
- You may experience irritation.
The above are usually temporary feelings. However, you should contact your teeth whitening dentist if you feel it’s extending longer than expected. Or if you think it’s too intense.
Related Article: Dental Fillings: Materials – Gold, Ceramic, Amalgam, and More
Summary
You likely see now that visiting a teeth whitening dentist isn’t so scary. A competent dentist will consider your fears and help you settle in nicely.
Here at Osmine Denture, we follow a structured process for teeth whitening to meet the high standards set by the Canadian Dental Association. Contact us today to schedule a consultation session.