Bleaching

Bleaching uses a chemical agent to lighten the colour of teeth and remove discolouration. Most types of stains and discolourations can now be removed from teeth using cosmetic bleaching techniques. Teeth that have been discoloured due to food or tobacco stains, root canal treatment, or even the normal darkening that comes with age can be lightened by bleaching.
There are two types of cosmetic bleaching:

1. Non-vital Bleaching. Sometimes teeth that have had root canal treatment turn dark either before or after the procedure. Non-vital bleaching lightens the tooth from the inside out after the root canal treatment has been completed.
2. Vital Bleaching. This type of bleaching is used for all teeth other than those that have had root canal treatment. For this, we will ask you to wear a custom-fitted mouth guard filled with bleaching solution for a certain amount of time each day. Vital bleaching is painless and should cost less than bonding or crowns.

Things to Consider

Cosmetic dental procedures and orthodontics aren't for everyone. Here are a few things to consider before you go ahead with bonding bleaching, or orthodontics:

Success and Durability:

• Bleaching may not remove all stains. Discolouration caused by the antibiotic tetracycline taken during childhood can be resistant to bleaching.
• Bleached teeth may require repeat treatments one to three times a year.

Time:

• Bleaching usually takes several visits (about ½ hour each) before teeth are lightened.

Discomfort and After-Effects:

• Bleaching may sometimes affect tooth pulp (the soft tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels and runs through the centre or root canal of a tooth). In serious cases, you may eventually require root canal treatment.

Eating, Drinking, and Smoking:

• Tobacco, coffee, tea, blueberries, grape juice, cherries, and red wine can stain bleached teeth as well as natural teeth.

Cost:

• Cosmetic dental procedures might not be covered by dental benefit plans. If you have your teeth bleached or bonded, you may have to cover the costs yourself