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Bleaching of teeth is a very effective and safe means of removing accumulated, unsightly stains, which gradually darken teeth with age. Many patients experience remarkable improvement in the "whiteness" and brightness of teeth, which can be accomplished over a relatively short period of time (two to four weeks). The improvement in the appearance of the teeth will generally last for years depending upon eating and drinking habits, which may include stain-inducing foods or drink. The result of a light and bright shade of teeth will be a very vibrant and confident smile.

The process is easy: It begins with an exam, to determine the beginning shade of teeth and the need to replace fillings, which may detract from the end result. Gum tissue health is emphasized as this also enhances the resulting smile. A mold of your teeth is made and a custom splint is fabricated to fit your teeth. Each day you apply a bleaching agent in the splint, which is then placed on the teeth. The effective bleaching time is two hours, although some patients feel comfortable wearing the splint overnight. The first several days of bleaching usually show positive visible changes. Additional change continues and is monitored by the dentist to control the extent and uniformity of bleaching. The bleaching stint can be reused at a later time if no changes in the shape of teeth have occurred. The dentist should always be involved with the re-bleaching process to help attain optimum results.

There are a few potential drawbacks, which are usually reversible. They Include sensitivity, irregular bleaching, chalky appearance, or bluish gray or dark appearance. The sensitivity generally stops with skipping days between bleaching. Any irregular bleaching, chalky or gray appearances are controlled by close supervision of the dentist and staff to help your smile to become bright, while maintaining a natural look.

For the fee of less than half the cost of a crown, you can have a very attractive smile. Many patients have benefited from dental bleaching and have expressed excitement about the results. Feel free to ask about bleaching and the benefits you may achieve for your own smile.

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