Summer brings out in all of us the need to renew and improve some imperfections. During this period, many patients look for ways to enhance their smile since a brighter smile cheers us up and makes us more confident! Although our tooth enamel endures some hardship from various sources, there are many ways to obtain a whiter and brighter smile.
Tooth whitening at home
The dentist takes impressions to produce 2 soft, custom-made clear splints that will receive the whitening agent. The patient then fills the splints with the whitening gel that is supplied by the dentist and wears the splints for 2-4 hours daily. In most cases the desired results are achieved within 1-2 weeks. Often, the combination of home and office bleaching produces the best results.
Tooth whitening at the dental office
Whitening at the dental office lasts between 60-90 minutes and depending on the type of discoloration, it is usually completed in one or two meetings. The dentist applies a special protective gel on the gums and then the whitening agent. The whitening agents are usually activated with special frequency light sources. (led, plasma, laser). If the patient has available whitening splints, the whitening process may be completed with the application of a special whitening agent in a total of 3-4, 45’ sessions while seated comfortably in the waiting room of the office.
Whitening of an endodontically treated tooth
The improvement of the appearance of an endodontically treated tooth requires the application of a slightly different technique through which the tooth is whitened from within. The dentist applies the whitening gel on the tooth and then blocks it up with a temporary filling, allowing the material to work for a few days. This procedure might be effective with the use of only one application, or it might be necessary to be repeated until the tooth acquires the desired color. As soon as the desired effect is reached, the dentist concludes with the application of the permanent filling.
It is vital that during the whitening process and for the next 24 hours, regardless of the whitening method, that patients avoid smoking, the consumption of beverages that could create tooth staining such as: tea, coffee, red wine, coke, beets, cherries and others.
Resin Veneers
Most problems in the appearance of teeth can be permanently solved with resin veneers. It is a completely conservative method, better known as tooth sculpting which is completed with total safety without hardly any effect on the tooth’s surface.
This method uses the latest technology resins, which are applied on the surface of the teeth to give the desired color and shape. The whole procedure is completed directly by the dentist without the help of a dental technician, nor in most cases the use of a topic anesthetic.
Resin veneers may be applied to only a single tooth or in all front teeth and the therapy may be completed in one or two meetings.
It is considered an ideal solution for the following cases:
- Gapped teeth
- Slightly crowded front teeth
- Cases of multiple cavities on the front teeth that affect the tooth’s appearance.
- Discoloration that does not respond to bleaching
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of porcelain (thickness: 0.5mm) that are cemented on the front surface of your teeth. They can improve not only the color, but the size of teeth. In addition, since porcelain doesn’t stain like resins, it offers an excellent lost lasting result.
Porcelain veneers without any drilling
Modern technology of ceramic materials allows us to use these ultrathin veneers, which literally resemble contact lens. Although they are very thin, they are extremely durable and since light goes through them, they have a very natural look.
Veneers, whether resin or porcelain, require the same special care as our natural teeth. Consequently, we must not neglect our dental hygiene.
The right care includes brushing twice or three times daily and the cleaning between teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes. It is important to avoid soft drinks, alcohol, and sugar. In addition, it is vital that we drink a lot of water to keep our body hydrated.
