Dental Bleaching
Office-type dental bleaching, also known as in-office teeth whitening or professional teeth whitening, is a cosmetic dental procedure carried out by a dentist to whiten and brighten the natural color of the teeth. This procedure is generally more effective and faster than at-home teeth whitening treatments.
In-office dental bleaching involves the following steps:
- Patient assessment: The dentist first evaluates the patient's dental history, overall oral health, and any existing dental work. They will determine the type and severity of teeth discoloration to ensure that the patient is a suitable candidate for dental bleaching.
- Cleaning and preparation: Before the whitening process begins, the dentist will perform a thorough dental cleaning to remove any plaque or tartar from the teeth's surface. The dentist may also take photographs of the initial tooth color to track progress
- Protection of gums and soft tissues: The dentist will place a protective barrier such as a dental dam or gel on the patient's gums and soft tissues to prevent irritation from the whitening agent.
- Application of whitening agent: A professional-grade teeth whitening agent, usually containing a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, is applied to the patient's teeth. This can be done using custom trays or by directly applying the gel to the teeth's surface.
- Activation of bleaching agent: In some cases, the dentist may use a special light or laser to activate or accelerate the teeth whitening process. By doing so, the peroxide compound can break down faster, which allows oxygen to enter the enamel and break up stains more effectively
- Removal of the whitening agent: After leaving the whitening agent on the teeth for a pre-determined period, usually between 30-60 minutes, the dentist will remove the bleaching agent and the protective barrier.
- Evaluation and post-treatment instructions: The dentist will evaluate the results, comparing the before and after tooth color. They may recommend additional sessions based on the patient's goals and the level of discoloration. Patients will be provided with post-treatment instructions to maintain the results, including practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding stain-causing foods and beverages, and scheduling regular dental check-ups