Dentists in Memphis
Teeth Whitening - Tooth Bleaching
There are multiple ways to whiten your teeth: Bonding, Porcelain Veneers (Laminates), Porcelain Crowns (Caps) and Bleaching (Whitening). Whitening visibly changes the color of the teeth without altering their physical structure. As a purely allegorical example: If you took Clorox bleach (this is NOT what we use) and put it on a blue shirt, the area it was applied to would turn white but the fabric would stay intact. [By the way, Clorox is toxic, can kill you, and will not bleach your teeth; it should NEVER be used to modify your tooth color!] Patients can bleach their teeth through home bleaching kits or professional office bleaching.
Home bleaching involves the use of fabricated plastic mouthpieces that look like mouthguards. Two to four hours a day for four to eight weeks the patient must wear these mouthpieces filled with hydrogen peroxide based bleach. Office bleaching is a little more expensive, however it is a lot simpler for patients.
Depending upon the tooth color desired, patients usually come in for one or more forty-five minute visits. A lip retractor pushes the lips away from the teeth, while the bleach is placed directly on the tooth surface. Any excess saliva is drained through gentle suction. There are no shots or drilling. During the procedure, patients will frequently relax with Nitrous Oxide gas and music. Substantial color changes can be seen after the first appointment.
Due to the quick results and simplicity, office bleaching is preferred over home bleaching. With office bleaching, the bleach is in full contact with the teeth for a longer period of time. This is because the home bleaching trays lose most of the bleach once the tray is inserted into the mouth (the rest is hopefully spit out and not swallowed). Consequently, the amount of bleach left in the tray is minimal, and what is left is mostly washed away with saliva. In the office, bleach is placed on the teeth in a careful and controlled manner. Throughout the duration of the visit the bleach is in direct contact with the teeth. We have been whitening teeth for many years and have found office bleaching to be not only very effective but very safe as well.
The concentration of the bleaching product, the length of time that it is in contact with the teeth, and the expertise of the dentist are the most crucial factors in whitening teeth. Many companies untruthfully market their own unique brand of light and/or laser light as a product that enhances teeth bleaching, however scientific research actually illustrates no added benefit. It is much more important to find a skilled cosmetic dentist to bleach your teeth than to get drawn in by advertisements or be treated by newly graduated dental students.
Bleaching only affects the natural tooth structure so if you have bonding or porcelain on your teeth those areas will NOT bleach. It is important to take this into account before getting your teeth whitened because old bonding and/or porcelain may look yellow in comparison to the much whiter teeth.
--Dr. Jeffrey Dorfman, Director
NYCdentist.com
Find a dentist in Memphis 
