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Power Teeth Bleaching
with Brite Smile or Zoom
There are several in-office
techniques that dentists can use to whiten your teeth quickly. These involve
a bright light combined with an extra-strength bleaching gel.
It is a popular misconception that these
techniques will get your teeth whiter than other bleaching techniques. This
isn't true. In-office power bleaching and at-home dentist-supervised tray
bleaching are equally effective. Neither will get your teeth any whiter. But
power bleaching is faster.
Here's how it works:
The principal method of whitening is to place
a whitening gel or solution on your teeth and leave it there for enough time
for it to soak into your teeth. Teeth are slightly porous and will absorb
peroxide and other bleaching agents. If the bleach has enough time to
penetrate to the inner part of the teeth, usually about fifteen or twenty
minutes, it will permanently whiten your teeth. The longer it is on
your teeth, and the more times you apply it, the whiter your teeth get.
With power bleaching, an extra concentrated
peroxide is placed on your teeth, and a powerful light is shined
on your teeth. The light also warms your teeth and thus accelerates the
process with the light and the heat. In this
process, your gums need to be protected from the peroxide bleach. If
concentrated peroxide gets on your gums or your skin for too long, it
releases tiny oxygen bubbles inside the surface and will cause the tissue to
blanch and to experience a prickly sensation. There are two ways to protect
your gums. One is to confine the peroxide to a custom tray that is fitted to
cover only your teeth. The other way is to provide a protective covering
over the gums. A rubber
dam is a square of latex rubber, usually about six inches square. Holes are
punched in the dam and when your teeth are poked through the holes, the
rubber dam will serve as a protective barrier between your teeth and the
rest of your mouth.
There are also new protective coatings such as
GINGAguard that can be painted onto your gums and then later peeled off.
Advantages of power bleaching with Brite Smile
or Zoom:
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It's the quickest way to
whiten your teeth. |
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You don't have to fuss with
trays and gels at home. |
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You will leave the office with
a dazzling bright smile. |
Disadvantages of power
bleaching with Brite Smile or Zoom:
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The initial dazzling bright
smile you have when you leave the office will fade in a couple of days, and
you will require either several repeat treatments or follow-through at home
with trays and gel. |
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It's more expensive. |
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Power bleaching can leave your
teeth extra sensitive for a few hours, requiring you to take a pain
medication such as ibuprofen. |
Other teeth bleaching topics:
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