Teeth whitening or bleaching can be a treatment of choice for stained or discoloured teeth that have not responded sufficiently to professional cleaning. It is a safe procedure when done by a qualified dentist. Bleaching may not be appropriate for patients with some oral symptoms or diseases.
Your dentist will take an impression of your teeth so that a custom-made mouth tray can be made. This holds the bleaching gel close to your teeth. The gums do not normally come into contact with the bleach.
Wearing the tray for 30 minutes to two hours every day will gradually lighten the teeth. Some bleaching agents can be used all night, although this may cause irritation of gums and the mouth in some people. Most mouth trays are light enough to permit talking and working with them in place. Good results usually occur within two weeks. The daily bleaching process can be continued until you are happy with the appearance of your teeth. However, it is not always possible to achieve completely snow-white teeth. We will advise you on how long you should use the mouth tray each day and the duration of the treatment.
Porcelain veneers are thin shells that are carefully crafted to bond to and cover the front of unsightly teeth and to match the colour of your other teeth. They are a more conservative treatment than an artificial crown and can often be used as an alternative if the underlying tooth is strong and healthy.
Veneers are excellent for treating chipped, discoloured, slightly misaligned teeth or gaps between the teeth, especially if these defects affect the front teeth. A tooth that is too small or has irregularities can be successfully treated with a veneer. Two or three visits to your dentist will usually be required to prepare the teeth and fit the veneers.
To prepare each tooth, we will remove a thin layer, about the thickness of a fingernail, from the surface of the tooth. This allows room for the veneer to be glued into place later. An impression is taken of your teeth and sent to a dental ceramist, who manufactures the veneers to fit your teeth.
Cementing of the new veneers occurs at the next appointment when the teeth are cleaned with a chemical that helps bond the veneer to the tooth. At this point the colour can be altered by using varying shades of cement, so it is important that you discuss any changes you require before the final cementing is done. After a cement is placed between the veneer and your tooth, a special light beam activates the cement to bond the veneer firmly. After the veneer has been bonded, it is trimmed and polished to fit your bite.
Bonding is the application of a tooth-colored composite resin to repair a decayed, chipped, fractured or discolored tooth. Unlike veneers, which are made in a dental lab and require a customized mold to achieve a proper fit, bonding can be done in a single visit. The procedure is called bonding because the material bonds to the tooth.
Most often, bonding is used for smaller tooth irregularities for cosmetic purposes to improve the appearance of a discolored or chipped tooth. It also can be used to close spaces between teeth, to make teeth look longer or to change the shape or color of teeth.
The tooth is prepared by etching its surface with a gel. The surface is then painted with a bonding liquid that sets firmly when a special ultraviolet light is applied. A putty-like resin is moulded onto the tooth and shaped. The light is again used to harden it. Finally, the set resin is trimmed and polished.
Dental bonding may not be as durable as veneers or crowns. Discuss with us which treatment is best for you.
