What It’s Used For The outer layer of a tooth is called the enamel. The color of natural teeth is created by the reflection and scattering of light off the enamel, combined with the color of the dentin under it. Your genes affect the thickness and smoothness of the enamel. Thinner enamel allows more of the color of the dentin to show through. Having smoother or rougher enamel also affects the reflection of light and therefore the color.

Every day, a thin coating (pellicle) forms on the enamel and picks up stains. Tooth enamel also contains pores that can hold stains. The most common reasons for teeth to get yellow or stained are:

• Using tobacco

• Drinking dark-colored liquids such as coffee, cola, tea and red wine

• Not taking good care of your teeth Aging also makes teeth less bright as the enamel gets thinner and the dentin becomes darker.

It is also possible to have stains inside the tooth. These are called intrinsic stains. For example, intrinsic stains can be caused by exposure to too much fluoride as a child while teeth are developing. Other causes include tetracycline antibiotics. They can stain a child’s teeth if taken by a mother during the second half of pregnancy or by a child who is 8 years old or younger.

Teeth are still developing during these years. Trauma may also darken a tooth. Tooth whitening is most effective on surface (extrinsic) stains.

Indications

1. Discoloration caused by extrinsic factors like consumption of tea, coffee, colas, tobacco, smoking.

2. Discoloration due to aging.

3. Teeth that have darkened in shades of yellow, orange, light brown respond better to bleaching.

4. Discoloration due to fluorosis and tetracycline can be lightened to some extent.

Advantages

1. Simple procedure

2. Improves overall aesthetics

3. Non-invasive and safe

4. Relatively inexpensive.

Instructions to Patients

1. Minor sensitivity to cold is to be expected.

2. No smoking or chewing tobacco during and preferably after treatment.

3. Slight reversal of color is to be expected within the first few weeks.

4. Periodic touch-up is required.

Procedure

A dental check-up is a must to determine whether you are a candidate for bleaching. The next step is to decide whether to go for office bleach or the home bleach technique. Procedure In the home bleach technique the dentist takes impressions of your teeth to fabricate a mouthguard appliance which is to be worn after being loaded with the bleaching material for the time period that is specified by the dentist depending upon the case. Usually, the bleaching trays are too worn in the night for about four to five nights to notice visible changes.

Home Bleach: This is done at home by the patient

Office Bleach: This procedure is done in the dental office and carried out by the dental surgeon. Office bleach usually requires 1 – 2 sittings.

Procedure: The bleaching agent is applied on the tooth surface. The tooth is then exposed to rays of a special light. These rays penetrate the bleaching agent and the process is activated. Time taken to bleach each tooth is 5 – 10 min. Usually 1 – 2 sittings complete the entire procedure.