How do teeth whitening appointments work? The whitening agent acts on the surface of the tooth (enamel) and the dentin (located under the enamel). It never reaches the pulp (inner part of the tooth) because it is not strong enough to have an effect on this part of the tooth. A professional Cosmetic Dentist in Tacoma WA is the best person to see when whitening is desired.
Products used
The most frequently used products for tooth whitening are:
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Carbamide peroxide
* Urea peroxide
Peroxide is able to “attack” the dark molecules that have accumulated on the tooth enamel and dentin, thus, breaking them down with the oxygen it contains.
Dental whitening
This chemical reaction “brightens” teeth in one or more shades. In fact, some dentists use the term “dental lightening” to refer to tooth whitening procedures. Since teeth have a porous surface, the peroxide is able to break the bonds that anchor the stains to the tooth. A Cosmetic Dentist in Tacoma WA should be the only person to determine what percentage of peroxide to use and for how long.
Supervision is necessary
The effect of bleaching is directly proportional to the concentration of whitening product used. In theory, the higher the concentration, the more effective the product will be. A dentist must also supervise a process when the concentration of the whitening agent exceeds a certain percentage.
The duration of the treatment also depends on the color of the teeth and the reason for the procedure. For example, the darker the teeth, the longer it takes to whiten them. The dentist remains the only specialist able to recommend the dosage of the whitening agent used.
Some products can be applied for a few minutes and others, up to 90 minutes, once or twice a day. There are also products that must be used all night because they act more slowly.
Things to know
Regardless of the whitening technique used, a person who wants to whiten their teeth, even with over-the-counter whitening products, should consult their general dentist beforehand. The latter will be able to help each patient maximize the quality of their results.
