TEETH WHITENING – FROM A DENTIST’S PERSPECTIVE
Various factors like smoking, increased consumption of tea/coffee or other colored food products and even aging can lead to the discoloration of a teeth. Teeth whitening/bleaching can be done for the removal of stains and to restore the natural shade of the teeth. Most of the patients choose this treatment procedure for cosmetic reasons but fear that getting the teeth whitening done at the dentist’s office may cost them more as compared to the ‘At-Home’ variants. The question arises: “Is the process worthwhile?”
Firstly, there are two options available for the patients for tooth whitening:
- Professional tooth whitening or the ‘In-Office’ method
- The ‘At-Home’ method of tooth bleaching: The ‘At-Home’ products can be either prescribed by a dental professional or over-the-counter bleaching products readily available in the market can be used.
In either case, the active ingredient is carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide. The bleaching agent penetrates the outer layer of the tooth i.e. the enamel and removes the stains and improves the shade of the tooth. The ‘At-Home’ tooth bleaching products can be available in the form of whitening gels, pens, strips or even whitening toothpaste. In the chair-side method, we use professional tooth whitening kits and devices to achieve the optimum shade of the tooth.
Is teeth whitening at the dentist’s office cost-effective?
Although the cost of the chair-side tooth whitening procedure is more than the ‘At-Home’ products, they give quicker results, and also the chances of procedural error are minimized. After the visit to our office and the initial diagnosis, we can recommend and advise you on the correct treatment according to your individual circumstances and financial options. We may also prescribe you a bleaching gel along with a custom tray as the ‘At-Home’ tooth bleaching option.
Is teeth whitening beneficial?
The biggest benefit of tooth whitening is that a person who hides his teeth while smiling starts laughing out loud; the latter ultimately boosting the self-esteem of the person. The overall quality of life is improved. Also, as the discoloration due to aging process can be reversed by this technique, this can give you a young and dynamic look.
In today’s world of selfies, each one of us wants a perfect picture. So, what are you waiting for? Smile freeley by getting your teeth bleached.
