Brighten Your Smile – Questions About Tooth Whitening
There are many causes of tooth staining. Certain medications, dental trauma, root fillings, and foods and beverages can cause your teeth to stain over time. Some discolorations are superficial while others are internal. Both types can be effectively treated by a dentist. Professional whitening is the best option to safely whiten discolored teeth.
1. How Does Tooth Whitening Work?
Dental journals reveal that the tooth whitening process is possible due to the ability of the carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide to freely pass through enamel and dentin and to permeate to all parts of the tooth. These peroxides break down into free oxygen radicals that migrate between the enamel prisms, breaking down any colored molecules that result in tooth discoloration. The structure of the tooth is not altered; the internal tooth color is simply made whiter.
Bleaching agents break down into tiny molecules and move in all directions so even if the entire tooth is not covered with bleach, the entire tooth is whitened.
Numerous studies have proven the effectiveness of peroxides in whitening teeth. Enamel, dentin, existing fillings, and bonding materials are not affected or harmed in any way by these whitening agents.
2. Will Tooth Whitening Affect Bond Strength?
Even though bleaching agents release a great amount of oxygen into the tooth, existing bonds are not weakened.
However, if you are whitening your teeth prior to cosmetic bonding procedures, you must allow a period of 7-10 days after whitening, as the high concentration of oxygen in the tooth could significantly and adversely affect the polymerization of the resins.
3. How Long Does Tooth Whitening Last?
Tooth whitening results are very stable, but depending on the patient’s diet and lifestyle habits, the procedure may need to be redone periodically. The whitening agents are very safe and should not concern the patient.
4. Will Tooth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?
Dental sensitivity is a relatively common side effect of tooth whitening. If sensitivity occurs, it is transient and will disappear after the completion of bleaching. Most Opalescence products include PF (potassium nitrate and fluoride) desensitizing agents for additional comfort. Research has shown that just as hydrogen peroxide penetrates through the enamel and dentin and to the pulp, so does potassium nitrate. Potassium nitrate acts more like an analgesic or anesthetic by keeping the nerve from repolarizing after it has depolarized in the pain cycle. Fluoride acts primarily as a tubular blocker, plugging the holes and slowing down the fluid flow that causes the sensitivity.
5. Will Tooth Whitening Weaken the Tooth’s Enamel?
Findings on the Opalescence PF product line present at the American Association of Dental Research confirm that tooth whitening with Opalescence PF will actually minimize sensitivity, provide anti-caries benefits, increase enamel microhardness, and improve overall enamel health.
Important: Dentist Supervision is the Best Way to Whiten Your Teeth!
Tooth whitening treatments today are effective and safe if they are used appropriately and with the correct materials. This includes an initial diagnosis, professional dental cleaning, briefing on the chosen whitening process and monitoring of the patient during the treatment phase. Self-treatment by the patient with over-the-counter (OTC) products often does not provide the results desired. All products of the Opalescence system are medical products and are dispensed or released only by licensed dental professionals.
