Fifty shades of white or why do I need teeth whitening

It’s a well-known fact that whiter teeth are perceived as cleaner, and healthier and can make your smile appear younger.  Teeth colour is a very personal choice and is one of the most commonly asked questions in our clinic. 

Let’s say you need a filling or a crown on the front tooth. The important thing to remember is that dental materials don’t change their colour once the restorations are placed; however, composite resin tends to discolour over time due to its surface porosity while ceramic doesn’t. 

As cosmetic dentists, we can recommend the colour we think will look good within your facial aesthetics; however, it’s your teeth and your smile, and we are satisfied if you are happy. 

Simply put, there is no better time to do teeth whitening than before you commit to a new restoration.

FAQ and answers:

Will I have to maintain whitening in the future? 

Answer: Maintenance is a part of life; in most cases, your teeth will become yellow naturally as you age due to the continuous dentine formation inside the pulp chamber. Even if we can match the colour perfectly to your existing dentition now, we can not guarantee that it will stay the same in the future. Hence patients should be informed and be prepared for future maintenance regardless. 

Why teeth whitening is recommended before veneers/crowns. Would not the ceramic veneer/crown cover the natural tooth anyway? 

The answer is a “yes” and a “no.” Veneers can improve colour exceptionally well. However, if we want to achieve a dramatic change in the shade with veneers only, we will have to resort to using a more opaque ceramic material, decreasing the overall translucency of the final restoration. Hence doing teeth whitening to lighten the underlining tooth structure before veneers are placed is a prudent step to achieve the most natural outcome. 

Is teeth whitening safe for my teeth, and is there any contraindications?

Teeth whitening is one of the most common procedures we do in modern cosmetic dentistry. Teeth whitening treatment is considered very safe if done by trained professionals. 

However, below are some contraindications:

*Existing decay lesions

*Active gum disease

*Exposed dentine due to significant loss of enamel as a result of erosion or attrition 

*Existing leaky restorations

*During pregnancy and lactation period

*Not recommended for patients under 18 years old.

What are the side effects of teeth whitening? 

The most common side effect is increased tooth sensitivity. Ask your dental clinicians about the best way to manage it. There is a ray of products available to safely and effectively control the sensitivity. 

For more information on the types of teeth whitening available in our clinic and how to achieve “white teeth for life,” click on the link below.