Most people who visit cosmetic dental teams want one very simple thing: whiter teeth. While there is nothing inherently wrong with having teeth that are not gleaming white, it has become a more popular treatment option in recent years due in part to the exposure to celebrities and influencers online.
But when you are looking for dental surgery to perform dental whitening, you will need to consider what this treatment is made-up of. For some people, this can be an extensive treatment option, especially for those with very stained teeth, which may last longer than the traditional 2 to 4 weeks. Hence why you need to find a trained cosmetic team to perform teeth whitening MacLeod.
So, with that in mind, what does a standard treatment for dental whitening look like with a cosmetic dental team?
The assessment
Firstly, you will need to attend an assessment with the cosmetic clinic of your choice. Once there, they will look at the condition of your teeth and gums to ensure that they are suitable and able to handle dental whitening. Primarily, your dental team will look for signs of tooth decay or gum disease, both of which will need to be treated before you undertake any whitening procedures.
During this appointment, it is also worth discussing with your dentist the shade of white that you want to have. This will allow them to assess how long the treatment is likely to take and how many visits you will need to have with their team.
Choosing the treatment
Another part of the assessment is looking at the staining or discolouration itself. When it comes to dental whitening, there are two types of staining: intrinsic and extrinsic. Factors such as drinking coffee or red wine can cause external stains on the teeth; these will be treated using a bleach-based treatment, where your dentist will simply paint bleach onto the teeth. Intrinsic staining is more deeply set and affects the enamel from the inside out; this can be caused by medications or ailments in childhood and will usually be resolved with abrasion-based whitening.
At-home treatments
When you have finished these initial treatments, your dentist will also usually provide you with trays to wear at home when you go to bed. In these trays, you will need to put a weakened version of the original dental gel used at the surgery to remove some of the deeper stains that could not be removed during the initial session. Once the two weeks are up, you will need to visit the dental surgery again to have the follow-up treatment performed, and after this, your teeth will be completely whitened.
Keeping them white
It’s important to note that when you have your teeth whitened, there are many things that you will need to avoid to prevent your teeth from re-staining. One of the core factors is smoking, as this can cause the enamel to discolour. Next, you will need to cut out food or drinks that are high in tannins and, of course, maintain regular check-ups with your dentist alongside dental hygiene.
DISCLAIMER
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
