Step
1
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Prior to considering bleaching of your teeth, the
best step to take first is to get an examination by
a dentist to determine if you are a good candidate
for bleaching, or if there are any contraindications
for tooth bleaching.
In addition to examining your teeth, the dentist
will examine your smile. There is a special form on
this website to see the types of questions that will
be addressed during this examination (see Smile
Analysis Form here).
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Step
2
Generally the examination includes
xrays of the teeth. Xrays (radiographs) and the examination
are the only way to determine if a dark tooth is related
to an abcess, decay, or some internal dissolving problem
which needs a different treatment from bleaching.
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Step
3
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The dentist will determine the current color or
shade of your tooth using a series of different colored
artifical teeth to determine a color match. Other
color measuring devices may be used.
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Step
4
The dentist will discuss your tooth discoloration, and
what you might expect as an outcome of bleaching. Often
only the top teeth are treated first in order to see the
amount of color change when compared to the bottom teeth.
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Step
5
If you are a good candidate for bleaching, then the dentist
may take photographs of your teeth prior to treatment.
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Step 6
In addition to photographs of your smile, the dentist may
take photographs of your teeth with your cheeks retracted
so the entire tooth is exposed.
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Step
7
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By far the most popular bleaching technique is Nightguard
vital bleaching, or at-home bleaching using a custom-fitted
carrying tray and carbamide peroxide. The traditional
steps for making a tray involve first making an alginate
impression of the teeth to be bleached.
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Step 8
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From this impression, and cast or model of the teeth
is developed.
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Step
9
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The bleaching tray is made from a soft clear
material on this model using a machine to form
a vacuum and pull the heated tray material around
the cast.
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Step
10
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The tray is trimmed to fit the patient’s
mouth using one of many designs determined by
the dental office.
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Step
11
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Either at that appointment, or later, the dentist
will present the tray made on the model of your
teeth ready to be fitted in your mouth.
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Step
12
The dentist or dental auxillary will go over the instructions
on how to load the tray, when to wear it, and how long to
wear it. At-home bleaching generally takes 2-6 weeks of
nightly wear, but can happen in a matter of days.
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Step
13
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You only need to place a small amount into the tooth
molds of the tray. It is best to sleep in the loaded
tray, or at least wear it 2-4 hours during the day.
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Step
14
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You are now ready to go home and do your part to make
this a successful treatment. Try to do the procedure
every day, but even it you skip a day occasionally,
it will generally work fine.
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