Who can get veneers?

Not everyone is a good candidate for veneers. Here are some reasons why your dentist may suggest treatments other than veneers:

• If a tooth has decay or is in an area that has periodontal disease (gum disease). These problems must be treated first.
• If a tooth has little enamel left, a veneer will not stick to it properly.
• If too much of the tooth is missing, a crown may be another option.
• If a person grinds or clenches his or her teeth. This habit is called bruxism and can chip or break porcelain veneers.

Agents

Various chemical and physical agents can be used to whiten teeth. Toothpaste typically has small particles of silica, aluminum oxide, calcium carbonate, or calcium phosphate to grind off stains formed by colored molecules that have adsorbed onto the teeth from food. Unlike bleaches, whitening toothpaste does not alter the intrinsic color of teeth.

Bleaching solutions contain peroxide, which bleaches the tooth enamel to change its color. Off-the-shelf products typically rely on a carbamide peroxide solution varying in concentration from 10% to 44%. Bleaching solutions may be applied directly to the teeth, embedded in a plastic strip that is placed on the teeth or use a gel held in place by a mouthguard.

The US FDA only approves gels that are under 6% hydrogen peroxide or 16% or under of carbamide peroxide. The Scientific Committee for Consumer Protection of the EU also consider gels containing higher concentrations than mentioned above to be unsafe.

Source :Wikipedia.org

Tooth whitening

Tooth whitening is quickly gaining in popularity. Among the most common techniques are:

• in-office whitening
• at-home whitening using trays
• over-the-counter whitening agents

Note that toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum and other whitening products do not change the colour of your teeth, but simply remove surface stains.

If you want a brighter smile, it is best to discuss it with your dentist during your next visit. He or she will begin by cleaning your teeth and carrying out a comprehensive examination to rule out the presence of cavities or defective restorations. Your dentist can also determine why your teeth have become discoloured, tell you whether you are a good candidate for this type of treatment, and recommend a product.

Some people get better whitening results than others. Teeth with yellow discoloration usually respond better than brownish teeth.

If your front teeth have crowns, veneers or small composite fillings, these restorations may have to be replaced after the whitening, to make sure that all your teeth are the same colour.

Current clinical studies indicate that most products are harmless if the instructions for application are followed to the letter and all warnings are obeyed. Undesirable side-effects vary from one patient to another, depending on the individual’s state of health. The most frequent side-effects are tooth sensitivity and possible irritation of soft tissues like gums.

Remember

The Order suggests that expectant or nursing women wait until after their pregnancy or nursing period before having their teeth whitened.  Children under age 12 should not use teeth whitening products.

Source : Ordre des dentistes du Québec