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Dental
Treatments - Cosmetic Dentistry - Whitening
Everybody
loves a bright white smile, and there are a variety of products
and procedures available to help you improve the look of yours.
Many people are satisfied with the sparkle they get from brushing
twice daily with a fluoride-containing toothpaste, cleaning
between their teeth once a day and the regular cleanings at
your dentist's office. If you decide you would
like to go beyond this to make your smile look brighter, you
should investigate all of your options.
You can take several approaches to whiten your smile:
What is in-office bleaching?
If you are a candidate for bleaching, your dentist may suggest
a procedure that can be done in his or her office. This procedure
is called chairside bleaching and may require more than one
office visit. Each visit may take from 30 minutes to one hour.
During chairside bleaching, the dentist will apply either
a protective gel to your gums or a rubber shield to protect
the oral soft tissues. A bleaching agent is then applied to
the teeth, and a special light may be used to enhance the
action of the agent.
Lasers have been used during tooth whitening procedures to
enhance the action of the whitening agent.
What is at-home bleaching?
These products contain peroxide(s), which actually bleach
the tooth enamel. These products typically rely on percent
carbamide peroxide as the bleaching agent, carbamide peroxide
comes in several different concentrations (10%, 16%, 22%).
Peroxide-containing whiteners typically come in a gel and
are placed in a mouthguard. Usage regimens vary. Some products
are used for about twice a day for 2 weeks, and others are
intended for overnight use for 1-2 weeks. If you obtain the
bleaching solution from your dentist, he or she can make a
custom-fitted mouthguard for you that will fit your teeth
precisely. Currently, only dentist-dispensed home-use 10%
carbamide peroxide tray-applied gels carry the CDA Seal.
You also may want to speak with your dentist should any side
effects become bothersome. For example, teeth can become sensitive
during the period when you are using the bleaching solution.
In many cases, this sensitivity is temporary and should lessen
once the treatment is finished. Some people also experience
soft tissue irritation-either from a tray that doesn't
fit properly or from solution that may come in contact with
the tissues. If you have concerns about such side effects,
you should discuss them with your dentist.
Whitening toothpaste
All toothpaste help remove surface stain through the action
of mild abrasives. "Whitening" toothpaste have special chemical
or polishing agents that provide additional stain removal
effectiveness. Unlike bleaches, the products do not alter
the intrinsic color of teeth.
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11
- 2901 Eglinton Ave.
Mississauga, ON
L5M 6J3
905-569-6000 |
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