Dental whitening involves soaking teeth in a liquid that dissolves everything not part of the tooth crystal. Teeth are made of salt crystals like table salt. Everyone's done the experiment where hanging some yarn in a glass of salt water and crystals form on the yarn as the water evaporates. What makes teeth yellow is the stuff that gets stuck inside the salt.
The first step is ensure that there's nothing wrong with your teeth. A comprehensive examination is done with x-rays prior to begining your dental whitening. Impressions are taken of the upper and lower teeth and plaster statues are made that are exactly the same as the patient's mouth. Very precise clear rubber covers are then made that fit to the patient's teeth extremely well. The dentist then checks the fit of these covers and provides the patient with detailed instructions on how to use the covers and tooth whitening gel. The patient then places a small amount of the gel in the covers and wears them for approximately 4 hours per day for 2 days. If there are no problems the patient then wears the covers for eight hours while sleeping for one week.
The primary problem that might result from dental whitening is tooth sensitivity to hot and cold. If this happens we desensitize the patient's teeth for 2 weeks using a professional strength fluoride gel. The procedure is again resumed with a 4 hour per day schedule. It's a relatively safe procedure that usually results in a nice white smile. Many patients want to have it done but are often too embarrassed to ask or feel that they are being vain in having bleaching done. However, it really benefits everyone. Your beautiful white smile will please many people and perhaps help make you feel more comfortable in situations and places that you might have previously been concerned about.
Dental whitening is not permanent. Your teeth can naturally stain again. However, the method used at the Atlanta Dental Group PC allows you to later again whiten the color of teeth. The covers can be used again with fresh bleaching gel if you have the desire to freshen up your teeth. If you are interested in bleaching and would like to speak with an atlanta cosmetic dentist, please consider scheduling a free cosmetic consultation by calling 404-874-7428.