Tooth bleaching is offered purely for cosmetic purposes. Many individuals who have discolored enamel are not satisfied with the appearance of their teeth and go to great lengths to achieve the perfect smile.

Tooth bleaching can be a solution. This can be done by a dentist in the dental clinic or any person considering using home bleaching products can do it at home after taking advice from a dentist.

This visit is crucial as home bleaching treatments may not be effective or preferable for every individual. For the best and safest results, the individual should be monitored by the dentist throughout either home bleaching or professionally applied treatments.

What is Bleaching?

Lightening or changing the colour of your natural teeth to a lighter / whiter colour can be achieved by a process known as bleaching. The procedure normally uses a chemical like peroxide wich penetratees the surface of the tooth thereby changing the colour of the tooth.

Which teeth are suitable for whitening?

• Teeth that have darkened/yellowed with age.
• Moderately discoloured teeth or stained.
• Teeth that have tetracycline stains.
• Naturally present yellow teeth. Bleaching is the most preferred treatment for whitening the teeth for cosmetic reasons or in other words many people believe that whiter teeth make them look younger & more attractive.

What are the available techniques for bleaching ?

There are two available techniques :

• Home Bleaching
• Office Bleaching

Home Bleaching

Home Bleaching can be successfull, but office bleach is more controlled therefore preferred.

This technique involves the use of mouth trays. These trays are custom made as per the patient.

These teeth fit firmly over the teeth. These trays are to be filled with a gel containing the bleach as provided by the dentist. After filled with the gel the trays are to be worn for a period of 2 to 6 hours as recomended depending on the concentration of the bleaching agent.

This is to be done for a period of 7-10 days. You can stop for a period of 7-10 days . You can stop the treatment when you are satisfied wih the colour of teeth.

This is relatively simple procedure.

Office Bleaching

In this case the whitening / bleaching agent is applied on the teeth by the dentist & a curing light/ laser is used to activate the bleaching process.

As it is performed by the dentist the procedure is more controlled therefore preferred. The procedure ivolves application of a concentrated bleaching agent on the teeth to be bleached & activating this bleaching process by a U.V. light. Each cycle requires around 20 - 30 minutes & is performed by the dentist with extreme caution.

However this procedure has to be followed by maintenance programme. This maintenance requires the use of mouth trays (custom made to the patients jaw size) along with the bleaching gel to be worn by the patient everyday for atleast an hour for 5 - 7 days at his / her convenience. This helps stabilise the lighter colour we have achieved by the office bleach.

Is Bleaching a painful procedure?

No, it is not a painful procedure. But however bleaching does lead to some sensivity in the teeth. This sensivity is totally reversible & stops once the procedure is completed. However we recommend the use of Desensivity paste for the period while the bleaching is done to minimise discomfort.