Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure designed to lighten teeth and enhance smiles by removing stains and discolouration. People choose to whiten for aesthetic reasons or due to staining from smoking, ageing, or consuming certain foods and beverages.
The treatment may use a combination of a whitening teeth gel and laser teeth whitening to enhance the whitening process. The gel often contains a hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide solution, which helps break down stains and discolouration on the surface of the teeth.
Usually, a special light or laser may be used to activate the whitening gel. This light or laser helps to accelerate the whitening process by enhancing the effectiveness of the bleaching agent.
There are many types of teeth whitening (KL) in Kuala Lumpur provided by us in Hello Dental Clinic.
A quicker and more affordable option of whitening that is done after the regular scaling and polishing treatment by just adding on 10 minutes of light activated whitening procedure.
Results are usually immediately visible, usually up to 3–5 shades in shade improvement; and does not cause much sensitivity due to the low percentage of peroxide and shorter contact time.
Limitations: Due to its lower concentration, the whitening effect is lower in efficiency and less lasting compared to the conventional high concentration whitening procedures.
Whitening treatment that can be performed by individuals in the comfort of their own homes. Special trays that are custom fabricated for each individual will be provided by the dentist, along with the whitening gels that contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide.
These gels are then placed into the tray, which would be required to be worn over the teeth for a specified period of time, usually daily for a few weeks.
Limitations: Highly dependent on compliance of patients to ensure its efficiency Not immediate, but gradual results.
Professional dental teeth whitening done chair side by the dentist, which typically involves stronger bleaching agents. Protection of the gums and soft tissues by application of barriers are usually required to prevent the whitening gel from chemically burning the gums.
The gel typically contains higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, and light or laser activation to follow. It would typically require 3–4 cycles, 15 minutes each cycle to achieve the best results.
This is usually the pick for patients who want obvious and immediate results right after treatment; and generally will last 1–3 years depending on lifestyle.
Limitations: Typically higher chance of sensitivity due to its higher concentration of the chemical used May cause some gum irritation due to seepage of the whitening gel into the gums during the procedure.
This is a dental technique used to whiten a tooth that has become discoloured intrinsically. The discolouration often happens as a result of trauma, root canal treated tooth or certain medications. Unlike the external stains, this affects the inner layer of the tooth.
Therefore, it is necessary to apply the whitening agent in the pulp chamber of the tooth to whiten the tooth from inside out, after root canal has been performed on the tooth.
After teeth whitening, it is essential to take some steps to maintain our newly brighter smile and minimise the risk of staining. Here are some of the tips on what to do after teeth whitening:
Whitening generally only involves the application of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide on the surface of the teeth, which helps in breaking down stains and discolouration on the surface of teeth; therefore whitening the teeth. No trimming or thinning of teeth will happen in this procedure.