The next step will be for the dentist to make a record of the shade/colour of the teeth before the procedure to show the patient the difference achieved after the whitening. This is either recoded using a tooth coloured shade guide/chart or by taking a digital photograph of your teeth.
The area is then prepared for the procedure. The bleaching compound usually contains a high concentration of peroxide (15-50%) and so the dentist will usually place some form of protection around the gums so that only the teeth are exposed to the compound. This may involve covering the gums with rolls of cotton or a protective gel material that hardens once applied to the gums.
A cheek retractor is used to keep the lips and cheeks away from the teeth. Eye protection is also provided to prevent any damage to the eyes from the laser used or any accidental splashes of the peroxide. Many cosmetic practices now offer DVD glasses so that the patient can watch a movie during their treatment!
The whitening gel is then applied to the surface of the teeth and exposed to a light or laser for approximately 1 hour, which activates it and speeds up the whole process making the whitening more effective. Some systems do not use an activating laser and many dentists argue that the laser is not required for activation of the bleaching compound. The dentist will finally wash off the whitening gel and remove any gum protection before evaluating the final result by taking a photograph or using a shade chart. The results are usually quite dramatic. A kit for whitening at home is also provided which is supplied with custom trays and whitening gel. The gel used in the home kits tend to have a lower concentration of peroxide (3-10%) than that used in the dental clinic.
Many patients’ teeth are quite sensitive immediately following this procedure and it is advised to try and avoid hot or cold drinks for a while. Some dentists offer fluoride treatment following teeth whitening to reduce this effect on sensitivity.
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