Non-Vital Whitening
Vital whitening may not improve the appearance of a tooth that has had root-canal treatment. If this is the case, your dentist will use a different procedure that whitens the tooth from the inside. He or she will place a whitening agent inside the tooth and will place a temporary filling. It will be left this way for several days. You may need this done only once, or it can be repeated until the tooth reaches the desired shade.
Vital Whitening
The most common type of vital tooth whitening involves placing a gel-like whitening solution, which usually contains hydrogen peroxides, in a tray that resembles a night guard or mouth guard. The tray is then placed over the teeth for a certain period of time — anywhere from an hour or two to overnight.
Tooth whitening can be done in the dentist's office or at home. In-office whitening (also called chairside whitening) has the advantage of allowing your dentist to supervise the process — and your progress — more closely.
In-office whitening usually takes between 30 and 90 minutes and can require up to three appointments with your dentist. The number of visits required will depend on the type of discoloration and how white you want your teeth to be.
Your dentist will start by asking about your medical history to learn how your teeth became discolored. Different types of stains will respond differently to the treatment.
Your dentist will apply a special gel to the gums to protect them from the whitening agent. Then the whitening agent is applied. The most common substance used for chairside whitening is hydrogen peroxide.
Some whitening agents are activated by special lights or by heat. After the whitening agent is applied, the dentist will shine the light on your teeth for a short time. Some dentists have started to use lasers as a high-speed alternative to conventional whitening procedures. Consumers like the high-tech aspects of laser treatments, but the technology is still too new — and too expensive — to justify its general use. The American Dental Association states that while the technique may be safe, it has not seen published data on the safety or effectiveness of using lasers for tooth whitening.
If your teeth are badly discolored, you may need more extensive whitening than can be done in the office. Or you may decide you would prefer to whiten your teeth at home.
For in-home whitening, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and will make one or two custom mouthpieces to fit you, depending on if you are having both upper and lower teeth whitened. It is important that the mouthpiece fit well so that the whitening agent remains in contact with your teeth and doesn't irritate your gums. Over-the-counter mouthpieces are unlikely to fit correctly and can cause gum irritation if the whitening agent seeps out.
At home, you will fill each mouthpiece with a whitening gel your dentist provides, and wear the mouthpiece for several hours every day. Many people achieve the amount of whitening they want within a week or two, but you may need to wear the mouthpiece for four weeks or longer.
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