Bleaching

Bleaching is a method often used for making teeth appear whiter. Bleaching can be done both externally and internally; external bleaching involves putting bleach onto the external surface of the tooth.

There are 3 main types of external bleaching; at home bleaching techniques often use a tray which is created by the dentist and based on the imprint of the patient’s teeth. The patient applies bleaching gel to the tray and inserts it for a period of time over a number of weeks. Dentists also use laser or power bleaching to whiten teeth; this is done by applying bleaching gel to the surface of the teeth and then blasting them with an intense light ray; this usually takes up to two hours. Finally the dentist may recommend a combination of the two methods in order to produce faster results.

Internal bleaching involves placing a beaching substance inside the tooth; this can only be carried out in patients who have undergone surgery to treat the roots of their teeth. The dentist will drill a hole and insert the bleaching product; a filling will then be inserted to cover up the hole. After a period of time the filling will be removed and the tooth should be whiter.

The effects of bleaching differ in each individual but some may last several months; procedures performed by the dentists have been proven to be more effective than at home kits.

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