Please note: Results vary and the information below is given to assist you in making an informed decision. Neither dentist.net nor the manufacturers guarantee any particular results.

 


 
Q: What tooth whitening choices are there if I am interested in whitening my teeth?
A: There are a number of different ways to whiten teeth. There are two main choices. One is chairside bleaching or in-office bleaching and second is home bleaching.

What are Different ways to bleach teeth:

• Chair-side bleaching, which involves getting your teeth bleached in usually a single dental visit a
• At-home-tray whitening system
  • From moulds of your teeth a custom-made bleaching trays is fabricated by a dental lab, which you use at home. The trays are to be worn for a specified time as suggested by the dentist.

Chair-side /In-office Tooth Whitening - The dentist uses a bleaching agent in combination with a light/laser. A peroxide-based gel is applied after which a light may be applied to assist the whitening process. The gel is activated by the use of a light. The Light/ laser does NOT whiten teeth. It merely activates the bleaching gel and initiates the chemical reaction that produces the whitening effect (the light doesn't actually penetrate the teeth). The procedure takes about an hour and a half and offers immediate results.


Q: How safe is Beyond?
A: The Beyond cold whitening technique is absolutely safe. Because Beyond uses cold light at a low temperature, it cannot irritate the nerves of your teeth. Also, the whitening fluid is water based and does not come into contact with your gums, and will not damage your teeth or tooth enamel. The Beyond cold–light tooth whitening machine uses a narrow beam of high intensity blue light with a special optical process to remove the harmful infrared and ultraviolet light.


Q: How long does treatment take with Beyond? A: In only an hour, discoloration which has built up over the years will magically disappear. It takes no longer than the time it would for you to have a haircut or a manicure, or have a cup of coffee-it’s that simple!


Q: What is the difference between Beyond and other methods of whitening?
A: This technique whitens your teeth right away and has no side effects. It does not damage your teeth, and gives the best possible results.


Q: How long will the whitening last?
A: This varies from person to person and depends on your diet, but the effect should usually last for two years.


Q: How white could my teeth be?
A: test proves that, after whitening with Beyond, the teeth score from 5 to 14 points higher on the VITA scale. The results depends on how discolored the teeth were originally, but the end result will be white, shiny teeth


The at-home bleaching tray methods require a fitted mouth tray (bleaching tray) to hold the bleaching gel against the tooth either overnight or hourly depending on the strength of the bleach dispensed.

There are also tray-less over-the-counter options available for tooth whitening. These strips are more difficult to keep in place especially on the lower teeth while the paint on whitening needs be kept dryish to adhere and prevent wash-out.

No matter which method you choose, how white your teeth will get depends on what color they are to begin with and the source of the discoloration. Brown or yellow teeth (often the result of superficial staining caused by smoking, coffee, and tea) will usually get whiter. Gray teeth (caused not by stains but by pigment deep inside the tooth) will lighten less, sometimes not at all. Results cannot be guaranteed. To determine the initial color of your teeth, compare them to a sheet of bright white computer paper held up to your mouth.

Chairside bleaching is the fastest

This method also allows the dentist to treat teeth individually, which is ideal if you have veneers or teeth that vary in shade.

 
Q: Is bleaching safe or does it damage the tooth?
A: To our knowledge nothing detrimental has been documented
There is no literature that we have come across showing any structural changes or irreversible damage to the tooth structure whatsoever.

 
Q: What are the side effects of tooth whitening?
A: Bleaching gel may cause some degree of tooth sensitivity. This is sensitivity to cold/hot fluids and even air can cause discomfort.However this is transient and would dissipate in24-48 hrs

 
Q: How long will it take for teeth to become their whitest?
A: Results vary. Some teeth whiten dramatically in just a few days. The majority of people whiten within 2-3 weeks. The more yellow versus gray color you have in your teeth, the better the bleaching. Grey enamel similar to that of Tetracycline (antibiotic) staining is more difficult to bleach.

 
Q: How long the whitening will results last?
A: The whitening last for around 2 years .Again the results may vary

 
Q: Why it is not recommended to bleach your teeth while pregnant or nursing?
A: No research has been done into bleaching teeth while nursing or pregnant, so manufacturers for liability reasons recommend NOT to bleach while pregnant or nursing.

 
Q: Will bleaching gel whiten my veneers, caps (crowns) and bonding?
A: All bleaching agents used to whiten teeth will only work on natural tooth structure. This means that all dental work including but not limited to bonding, veneers, crowns (caps) and bridges will NOT bleach or whiten. All dental work would need to be replaced to match the newly whitened teeth.

 
Q: What do the different bleaching percentages mean?
A: The percentages (%’s) refer to the concentration of bleaching agent. It is generally accepted that the higher the % of bleaching agent, the stronger the bleach and the more effective it is at bleaching

 
Q: How many bleaching syringes do I need for home whitening procedure in order to whiten my teeth?
A: As brands of syringes vary in the amount of bleaching gel, it is easier to quantify by using the ml’s or cc’s (same thing) and NOT the number of syringes. It is generally accepted that each treatment requires approx 0.5 ml’s (cc’s) of bleaching gel per application. The average person with yellow teeth will therefore needs about 10-15ml’s (cc’s). Keep in mind that you may need to do touch-up's at a later date to maintain the whitening. Grayish colored teeth are more difficult to whiten and will require additional bleaching gel. Keep in mind that only a small droplet needs to be placed on the inside surface of the outer wall of your custom made whitening tray opposite each of the front 8 teeth. It is not necessary to whiten the teeth towards the back of your mouth as these teeth are not usually visible when you smile.

 
Q: What is the difference between carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel?
A: There are 2 main bleaching ingredients. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide . Comparatively, a 7.5% hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to a 16% carbamide peroxide while a 9.5% hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to a 26% carbamide peroxide.

Carbamide peroxide actually breaks down into hydrogen peroxide.

 
Q: How long I should refrain from coffee and red wine after bleaching?
A: It is recommended to avoid such during whitening and for 1 week after tooth bleaching.

 
Q: Will teeth whiten to the same degree on everyone?
A: No…Results vary. Some teeth whiten dramatically in just a few days, while others may take weeks to months to show a difference, if any. The more yellow versus gray color you have in your teeth, the better the bleaching result. Grey enamel similar to that of Tetracycline (antibiotic) staining is more difficult o bleach.

 
Q: The area of the teeth near the gums is still not as white as the rest of the tooth?
A: Make sure that the while using home bleaching, bleach covers the entire surface of the tooth and not just the bottom half. The average tooth will usually have a seamless whitening transition from whiter at the bottom of the tooth (biting surface) to less white towards the gum line. This is normal and an expected result. This is due to thinner enamel in this area allowing more show through of the tooth color. Very few cases have total uniform whiteness. With grayish teeth, the transition is occasionally somewhat more noticeable. One might see a demarcation area / line between the 2 areas. Keep in mind that whitening fades and the tooth will in most instances gradually blend. In some cases that are extremely resistant to bleaching, one might consider bonding or veneers as an alternative treatment.

 
Q: I just started home bleaching and it looks uneven with white spots and blotchiness. Should I continue bleaching or stop?
A: It is also normal that certain areas of the tooth such as areas of decalcification will respond more rapidly to bleaching resulting in blotchiness at first while the rest of the tooth catches up as one continues to bleach. The blotchiness is the first to fade after stopping resulting in a more uniform appearance.

 
Q: How long do you recommend using the bleaching gel?
A: The choice when to stop bleaching is really a personal one. Stop when you are pleased with the results. Teeth will gradually get whiter and within either a few days or 2 weeks in most cases reach a plateau where they will not get any whiter. This is the maximum amount of whitening you will reach and at that point do not bleach any further. It is normal for it to fade slightly and then stabilize after you have discontinued.

 
Q: I have tetracycline (grayish) stained teeth and want to whiten my teeth!
A: Tetracycline is difficult to whiten. Results vary and results, if any are not guaranteed. Bleaching tetracycline teeth can sometimes cause uneven whitening, horizontal tetracycline lines to become more prominent and even blotchiness. Tetracycline stained teeth may need to be bleached for a few months to show results. Veneers/ Laminates are a good option for tetracycline stained teeth

 
Q: My kids have white "spotty" teeth. Will whitening be help?
A: White spots commonly come from too much fluoride during tooth development. This condition is known as Fluorosis. Although it might look imperfect, these teeth are extremely resistant to cavities. White spots can also occur after orthodontic treatment in the area of the orthodontic brackets. This is decalcification as a result of inadequate hygiene and in these situations, these areas are more susceptible to cavities.

There has been no research conducted on bleaching and kids. There have been a few cases reported in the literature with no adverse effects besides temporary tooth sensitivity. We recommend to wait until all the teeth have FULLY erupted otherwise the un-erupted tooth portion will not be bleached. Bleaching is not advised below 18 years of age.