Among various dental procedures, teeth whitening is very popular. A large percentage of the population across communities manages to retain their teeth in good condition into their 70s and beyond. Therefore, they are also keen to ensure that stunning smile always and teeth whitening ensures this. Surveys also point to cosmetic dentistry as the sought-after makeover procedure and teeth whitening Etobicoke is part of cosmetic dentistry. When it comes to questions about the perfect teeth whitening procedure to suit your individual circumstances, your dentist's office is the best place to get the answers you need. Your dentist can also evaluate your teeth and gums initially before recommending a procedure for teeth whitening. This way, he/she can also address any cavities or gum irritation that you may be suffering from.
Is teeth whitening your best option?
In some instances, even though you may be seeing your teeth whitening Etobicoke dentist, the ideal solution for you may be invisible braces or Invisalign treatment depending on the diagnosis by your dentist. This can happen when discoloration is not the singular issue with your teeth and your teeth need better cover to produce that sparkling smile.
What types of bleaching are available?
Generally, your dentist can use 3 different types of bleaching as detailed below:-
Custom tray
This is employed when the patient can do the bleaching at home using a bleaching gel that is milder. The patient will wear the tray for 2 weeks for approximately one hour every day. At the end of the two weeks, the individual can expect acceptable whiteness on his/her teeth. Compared to an in-office, the procedure is less expensive and the patient is in full control of the process which may be particularly beneficial for those suffering from sensitive teeth.
In-Office
As the term indicates, this Teeth whitening Etobicoke procedure is carried out in the office of your dentist. The patient occupies a special dentist chair and a bleaching gel is applied to the teeth. The dentist applies this gel with great care since the gel is stronger than what is used with the custom tray at home. This is essential to ensure the integrity of your gums and teeth itself. The gel stays for some 20 minutes after each application. In most situations, the procedure may be repeated at least 3 times, depending on the outcome of each round as well as taking into account the sensitivity after the first application. For the purpose of ‘touch-ups’ custom trays may be supplied for use at home after this procedure.
Bleaching toothpaste
This is your least expensive option, but the outcome is also significantly less effective. Most of us take under one minute to brush our teeth and teeth whitening is a process that consumes more time. Again, the toothpaste contains a small proportion of gel compared to what a dentist uses or prescribes for the custom tray. Some people also choose to visit a dentist’s office and use the bleaching toothpaste to enhance the results later.
Apart from the above, whitening strips and laser/light are also employed in certain cases. However, the outcome may not be what you expect and can be more challenging for individuals whose teeth are not aligned perfectly. Typically, this is the kind of situation wherein your dentist may advise invisible braces or Invisalign treatment instead of teeth whitening Etobicoke to achieve the end results that you are expecting.
Now that you know the different processes of teeth whitening and what you can expect from each of them, let us look at some of the other important questions that you should ask your dentist.
- Who would be carrying out the process
- What experience, training, and insurance does the person carrying out the process has
- There are different methods of tooth whitening, how effective are each of them
- How would the crowns, stained veneers, or dentures be matched to your natural teeth
- What are the attendant risks
- How much pain would you need to endure and for how long
- Is there an aftercare regimen and if yes, what does it involve
- If the outcome is not satisfactory, what are the remedies
- If you are an insured person, will the procedure be covered by your insurance
- What would be the estimated costs and whether it is fixed
Position yourself as an informed customer to ensure that you get the best results from your dentist.
