Teeth Whitening Policies as per ADA

Teeth whitening is a treatment that removes both superficial and internal stains from the teeth. Stains or discoloration are either extrinsic (on the teeth surface) or intrinsic (inside the teeth).

The extrinsic stains mostly occur due to many factors such as poor oral hygiene, a diet rich in colors, various tobacco products, red wine, etc. The intrinsic stains could be due to various factors such as internal trauma, tetracycline, demineralization of enamel, hypo-mineralization of enamel, fluorosis, and genetics also play a vital role in determining the color of the teeth.

Generally, teeth whitening can be done in one of two ways: chemical or non-chemical. Chemical techniques include bleaching using peroxide solutions, while non-chemical methods include scaling, polishing, and various types of abrasives to remove stains from the surface of the teeth including abrasive kinds of toothpaste and charcoal.

In-office teeth whitening and take-home whitening kits are two options for professional teeth whitening. 

Teeth Whitening Procedure

American Dental Association provides strict guidelines regarding the whitening treatment procedure, whitening agents, and whitening methods. 

In-office teeth whitening: 

In-office teeth whitening is the best and most recommended method. In-office teeth whitening is the most reliable method for teeth whitening since it is performed in a controlled setting by a licensed dental practitioner. In this technique, after performing all of the essential initial evaluations, the gums and teeth are isolated. Because a high percentage of chemicals and gels (mainly peroxide) may irritate the gums and nearby soft tissues, isolation is required. After the application of the gels, it can be activated by light for better results.  

Only a certified cosmetic dental specialist can provide you guidance and the required shade of your choice. 

Professional take-home whitening kit: 

Professional take-home kits are patient-centered and personalized by a dental practitioner, these are also deemed reliable. To acquire the required shade, take-home kits are combined with peroxide gel (the amount of peroxide gel can be changed for each patient) that is applied for an hour (or as instructed by the dentist) to achieve the desired shade. The dentist will also show the patient how to use it and what precautions they should take.

Identifying and documenting existing tooth restorations as part of the dental checkup might assist in promoting and achieving a satisfactory tooth bleaching result. Tooth discoloration can also be caused by restorations: metallic and other restorative materials on the lingual or occlusal surfaces of the teeth can have a substantial impact on tooth color. Without addressing cosmetic concerns with current restorations, patient expectations may not be reached or maybe unrealistic. While over-the-counter whitening treatments are typically less expensive than at-home or in-office whitening, there is generally a time trade-off in that OTC products may take substantially longer to attain equal degrees of whitening than any of the other options. 

Conclusion

Teeth whitening is not a long-term solution for stained or discolored teeth, so keep that in mind. If you take a few simple measures, your teeth whitening benefits may stay longer (meticulous oral hygiene, healthy unstained diet and regular dental visits). These precautions not only aid in the retention of the treatment and the reduction of stains, but they also aid in the maintenance of good oral health.