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Cosmetic
/ Esthetic Dentistry
| Cosmetic
dentistry is the name given to a group
of procedures that are performed to create a more
aesthetically pleasing smile. A
cosmetic dentist can whiten
teeth, replace missing teeth,
and repair chipped teeth through
a variety of cosmetic dentistry options, including
tooth bleaching, porcelain veneers, bonding, porcelain
crowns, and dental bridges, etc. |
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Teeth Whitening /Bleaching/
Teeth whitening is one of the quickest and easiest ways
to make over a smile. You can take your teeth from dull
to dazzling in no time.
Tooth whitening is a popular and conservative method of
removing dental stains and whitening teeth. Tooth enamel
discoloration can be caused by staining, aging, or chemical
damage to teeth. Some of the more common causes of tooth
discoloration are medications, coffee, tea or cigarettes.
People who drink significant amounts of cola soft drinks
can experience similar staining. Damage to the root may
also contribute to discoloration of a tooth (non-vital
tooth).
It is believed that teeth bleaching is a result of the
oxidation of chromogenic materials by free radicals of
the peroxide.
There are two principal ways of
teeth bleaching:
1. Professional teeth bleaching at home
This is a more common way of bleaching teeth. We believe
in the „take home whitening trays“ for the
most predictable results. It involves custom-made bleaching
trays and syringes containing a safe bleaching gel. Teeth
bleaching gels for home use are usually of thick viscosity,
pleasant-tasting, and contain carbamide peroxide at different
concentrations. Tooth whitening involves two short office
visits. The first one is for taking impressions for the
custom-fabricated trays and the second one to pick up
the trays and the bleaching agent. One needs to wear the
gel-containing trays only two or more hours for a few
days. The teeth bleaching results on yellow/brown teeth
are most dramatic. The whitening process is gradual; therefore,
you control the level of whiteness achieved.
2. Power bleaching
The most common teeth bleaching agent for power bleaching
is hydrogen peroxide at highconcentrations of about 30
to 35%. Due to their caustic nature, these tooth whitening
materials have the potential to cause soft tissue injuries,
which usually heal uneventfully within 1 to 2 weeks. Therefore
this way of teeth bleaching is performed only in the dental
office with appropriate protection of the oral soft tissues.
Some patients may experience some sensitivity which usually
diminishes during the course of treatment.
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