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Bleaching, Teeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening Cosmetic Dentistry – Information
Teeth Whitening Cosmetic Dentistry – Benefits
Teeth Whitening Cosmetic Dentistry – Costs
South Africa - Cape Town, Port Elizabeth,Johannesburg, Durban
United Kingdom ( UK ), Harley Street, London
BodyContours Healthcare South Africa
Tooth whitening can be a highly effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth’s surface. It works by bleaching the enamel and the underlying dentin though the release of oxygen, which then removes all the stains. The oxygen is released from carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide gel, which is applied to the teeth.
BodyContours Healthcare South Africa, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban
Professional bleaching is the most common form of tooth whitening, and can be done in two ways:
Where to go in South Africa
Cosmetic surgeons are available in the four major cities in South Africa, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban. BodyContours Healthcare South Africa is the only company that is an independent facilitator of cosmetic procedures in all the four major cities, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban.
We understand this is your choice, and your journey.
Professional Home Bleaching
With professional home bleaching, the dentist needs to takes an impression of the teeth to manufacture a close fitting splint into which the bleaching gel is dispensed. The patient then has to wear the splint for two to four weeks for a prescribed period of time every day. Usually this period is an hour per day or overnight, depending on the type of bleaching gel used. After the prescribed period of bleaching, the teeth will be the desired colour and the treatment is completed.
BodyContours Healthcare South Africa, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban
Professional In-Office Bleaching
A much quicker way to attain similar results is to opt for the in-office bleaching procedure. In this method the patient comes into the dental office and has a light-activated bleaching gel applied to his/her teeth. A LED light is the used to activate the bleaching solution and after 1 hour (3 consecutive 20-minute applications) the teeth are an average of 9 shades whiter.
It is very important to note that there are certain criteria of suitability with regards to bleaching procedures. Dark tetracycline stained teeth cannot be bleached to attain a natural appearance, and porcelain veneers or porcelain laminates should rather be considered.
Also, if you already have one or more crowns or veneers on your teeth and you want to have all the teeth lightened – including the crowns – be sure to bleach the natural teeth surrounding the crowns first. It’s much easier for your dentist to match the shade of your crowns or veneers to your new natural teeth than it is to bleach the natural teeth to match the shade of a porcelain crown.
The exact shade to which natural teeth lighten is always less predictable, and thus more difficult to control. Healthy gums are also a pre-requisite for bleaching.
Tooth whitening should last for approximately 18 months to 3 years. The length of time depends on your eating, drinking and smoking habits: tea, coffee, red wine and smoking cause teeth to discolour more.
BodyContours Healthcare South Africa, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban
Bleaching non-vital teeth
Teeth can be bleached even if their nerves have been removed, as is the case with root canal therapy. In fact, such teeth – referred to by dentists as nonliving, non-vital, or pulpless teeth – are actually easier to bleach than vital teeth.
One method of bleaching these teeth involves reopening the canal, which previously housed the nerve, placing a bleaching solution inside, and resealing the canal with a temporary filling. The bleaching process continues until the agent is removed and can be repeated until satisfactory lightening takes place. The process sometimes can be accelerated by the use of heat and/or light at the dental office.
Care should be taken to monitor the tooth closely to make sure it doesn’t become too light. However, consider going one shade lighter than you think is appropriate, because these teeth tend to darken slightly over time. Call your dentist when you believe you have obtained the color you want. Also be sure to contact your dentist if the temporary filling loosens or falls out.
BodyContours Healthcare South Africa, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban
Advantages
Safe procedure
Painless to adults
No tooth reduction required
No anesthetic necessary
Least expensive of treatment alternatives
Disadvantages
Normal tooth colour may not be restored
Bleaching can cause discomfort in children because of their large pulps
Only 75 percent effective in selected cases
Extended treatment time may be necessary
BodyContours Healthcare South Africa, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Durban