You may already be familiar with some of the basic approaches to
whitening your teeth - using over-the-counter products or professional
services from your dentist (in-office treatments or custom-fitted trays
for at-home use). However, what many people fail to understand is that
the results aren't going to be the same for everyone - even if the
dentist is the same, even if the whitening product being used is the
same.
Many people might assume that bleaching teeth is simply a
matter of applying repetitive or strong-enough whitening agents to the
teeth. That is simply not the case. When you whiten teeth, only the
outer shell of the tooth - the enamel - is affected. The enamel is a
translucent layer. That means it's not solid and it's not clear. Light
is somewhat scattered as it passes through the enamel, but the color of
the underlying tooth remains visible to some degree. That's one very
important reason why the tooth whitening process and the results you can
expect aren't the same from one person to the next. The color of the
core of the teeth can vary substantially from one person to the next.
The thickness of the teeth and the enamel, along with other factors, can
also influence the outcome.
How can I tell what color my teeth are?
Unfortunately,
you really need a trained eye to do that. Dentists, especially those
who are reputable cosmetic dentists, are well versed in "shade
management" of your teeth. Even when you see the components of their
shade management system, you would be unlikely to determine which of the
colors is closest to your own color - that's where the well-trained eye
becomes important. Understanding what shade your teeth actually are has
an influence on many aspects of cosmetic dentistry - not just tooth
whitening - so experience in shade management is important.
How does the dentist tell which shade my teeth are?
In
cosmetic dentistry, shade management continues to get more
sophisticated, with more systems continually emerging. We'll provide a
brief explanation of how the "classic" system (from Vita) might differ
from most people's assumptions. The basis of the classic system is a set
of 16 ceramic teeth in different shades. Instead of being the simple
light to dark scale that you might imagine, it is considerably more
complex. An untrained eye might even assume that some of the samples are
the same color. In the classic system, there are four different
categories of teeth (A, B, C, D), and four variations within each
category (A1, A2, A3, A4, etc.)
The four alphabetic categories
pertain to hues - the undertone of the tooth, with A being brown hues;
B, the yellow hues; C, the grey hues; and D, the reddish-grey hues. The
numbers within the alphabetic categories refer to the chroma - the
intensity of the hue. Cosmetic dentists often share this classic guide
(or a similar one) to help illustrate what color your teeth are, as well
as to help you understand what results you are likely to achieve with
their tooth whitening services.
Why is shade management and experience important?
Discussing
both the natural color of your teeth and your aspirations for your
smile are very important. What is possible to achieve in brightness may
be beyond your preference. It might result in an unnatural look that
doesn't suit your skin tone and hair color, for example. By the same
token, what you want to achieve may not be possible to achieve because
of the (underlying) shade of your teeth. For example, the C shades of
teeth are more difficult to whiten than others. Ask your cosmetic
dentist for an explanation, using a shade management guide that shows
the colors on ceramic teeth - not on paper. A cosmetic dentist can also
explain what other options besides tooth whitening might exist to help
you achieve the smile you want. Porcelain veneers are one option, and
shade management systems are used to determine the appropriate color of
those as well.
How fast can my teeth be whitened?
In-office
whitening procedures are faster than other methods, because stronger
whitening agents can be used. When using these products, as well as
potentially using ultraviolet light to accelerate the process, care
should be taken to protect your gum tissue. Otherwise, irritation and
long-term radiation damage could occur. While your goal may be whiter
teeth, you've probably encountered at least one person who had teeth
that were too white - perhaps almost a shade of blue. To avoid this, an
experienced cosmetic dentist will carefully control the speed of the
tooth whitening process if you are receiving an in-office treatment,
helping to ensure that you're not embarrassed by an unnatural
appearance. Many working professionals want to improve their smiles, but
don't want their bright, white teeth to become a point of discussion
during business meetings. Other professionals may want fast results -
perhaps for an all-important new job interview. Your dentist can work
with you to develop a plan that delivers results that are aligned to
your preferred timeframe.
Summary
This information provides
only the basics of why the results of tooth whitening can vary from
person to person. Shade management systems used by cosmetic dentists are
expanding in number and type, offering greater degrees of
sophistication. In addition to the color of your teeth, there can be
other factors about your teeth that influence whether you will be happy
with the outcome from the whitening process. An experienced and caring
cosmetic dentist will take the time to explain the color of your teeth,
the best process for your situation, and other cosmetic dentistry
options that are available to you. A discussion of your preferences is
an important part of the decision-making process. Never be afraid to ask
questions, including questions about the extent of the dentist's
experience with addressing situations similar to yours.
A leading Cosmetic Dentist
provided these general guidelines for selecting a teeth whitening
dentist in the United States. Practicing Cosmetic Dentistry in Raleigh,
North Carolina this dentist is committed to offering high quality dental
services and exceptional patient care. The practice provides a wide variety of dental treatments.
