Teeth Bleaching: What It Costs, Process and Procedure

Teeth Bleaching

A popular cosmetic dental treatment that reduces the color of teeth by scrubbing away stains and discoloration from the natural color of teeth is called teeth bleaching. It employs safe bleaching agents that are hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to separate the stain molecules and deliver a brighter, whiter smile. One of the fastest and most effective ways to enhance dental aesthetics and confidence is teeth bleaching.

Who's eligible for Teeth Bleaching?

Anyone with the following can benefit from teeth whitening:

• Yellow or stained teeth due to aging
• Stains from coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco
• Mild fluorosis stains
• Many food and drinks can stain the surface of the teeth.
• Healthy teeth and gums free of active tooth decay.
• The desire for a brighter and younger looking smile.
• It may not work for intrinsic stains that occur due to trauma, some medications, or major dental restorations (crowns, veneers, or fillings).

Types of Teeth Bleaching

In-Office Teeth Bleaching

• Administered in the office by a dentist with high-strength bleaching products, sometimes with LED or laser light. The results are evident after one session or two sessions.

At-Home Professional Bleaching

• A custom-made tray and professional-grade bleaching gel are given to the dentist to use at home over 1 – 3 weeks.

Over-the-Counter Whitening Products

• Whitening strips, toothpaste and gels don't require a prescription but are not as effective in producing dramatic results.

Benefits of Teeth Bleaching

• Enhances smile appearance
• Removes stains and discoloration
• Improves self-confidence
• Non-invasive cosmetic treatment
• Professional and quick results without treatment.
• Safe, if carried out by a qualified dentist.
• Can help to make people look younger

Factors Affecting teeth bleaching cost

The pricing associated with teeth whitening may differ according to various factors such as type of whitening technique, clinic and the particular dental conditions. The following are the main factors affecting the overall cost:

The type of bleaching treatment used is a factor to consider

• Professional in-office whitening is likely to cost more than the at-home bleaching kit because stronger whitening agents are used and results are achieved right after the bleaching.
• Take-home kits with dentist-supervised custom trays are more expensive than OTC products, but will be less expensive than in-office treatments.

Whether the tooth is severely discoloured or not

• If there are deeper or more resistant stains on the teeth, they need more than one bleaching session, which means more money is required for the treatment.

Dentist's Experience and Expertise

• Because of the expertise and quality of service provided, highly-experienced cosmetic dentists or specialists might have higher fees.

Location of the Dental Clinic

• Clinics that are in metropolitan cities or high-quality areas might be more expensive to treat, compared to clinics in smaller towns.

Bleaching Technology Used

• Conventional bleaching systems may be cheaper than the advanced whitening systems that require LED or laser activation due to the specialized equipment needed.

Number of Treatment Sessions

• Depending on the individual patient, some may get their desired look in one visit, others may need two or more visits, which will have an impact on the total cost.

Pre-Treatment Dental Care

• Bleaching may cost more if cavities, gum disease, professional teeth cleaning, scaling and polishing are necessary before the bleaching treatment begins.

Customized Whitening Trays

• Take-home bleaching will be more expensive if custom-made trays are used instead of generic trays.

The quality of the bleaching materials

• Premium, whitening gel and internationally recognized systems might be a bit pricier but offer better and longer lasting results as well.

Post-Treatment Maintenance

• The long-term cost of whitening involves follow-up appointments, touch-up whitening sessions and dentist-recommended whitening products as well.

Teeth bleaching procedure

Teeth bleaching process:

Step 1: Initial Dental Examination

• The dentist will first check the health of your teeth and gums to determine if they are safe to use for bleaching. They also find the cause of the tooth discoloration and explain the level of whitening you would like. Generally any cavity, gum disease, or other dental problems are fixed first prior to bleaching.

Step 2: Professional Teeth Cleaning

• The dentist first does a professional cleaning session to eliminate surface stains, tartar and plaque prior to the bleaching session. The bleaching agent will be more at work and will be evenly applied.

Step 3: Recording the Tooth Shade

• Using a shade guide or digital imaging the dentist notes the shade of teeth that you have at the moment. This will aid in comparing outcome following treatment.

Step 4: Gums and Soft Tissues Protection

• The gums, lips and other soft tissues are treated with a protective gel or rubber barrier to minimize irritation caused by the bleaching agent.

Step 5: Use the bleaching gel

• Carefully applied professional strength bleaching gel with either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide on the exposed surfaces of the teeth. Active ingredients reach the enamel and dissolve the stain molecules.

Step 6: Activation of the Bleaching Agent

• There are some whitening systems that involve using an LED light or laser to activate or accelerate the bleaching process. The gel will stay on the teeth for roughly 15-20 minutes and can be re-applied several times during the session, depending on the product used.

Step 7: Rinsing and the evaluation process

• After reaching the desired shade, the bleaching agent is washed from the mouth and the process can be completed. The dentist then checks the matching of the new shade with the original shade and makes the necessary adjustments.

Step 8: Post-Treatment Instructions

The dentist will give them some aftercare instructions to ensure that the whitening effect lasts, including:

• Do not consume tea, coffee, red wine or dark-colored foods for 24 – 48 hours.
• Avoid smoking and using tobacco.
• Brushing and flossing often for proper oral care.
• If only mild sensitivity occurs, use toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
• Schedule touch up treatments as needed.

Teeth bleaching before and after

Before Teeth Bleaching

Before undergoing the procedure, your dentist will:

• Check for any signs of tooth or gum problems.
• Determine the cause of discolored teeth.
• Get a professional cleaning to get rid of plaque and tartar.
• Use a shade guide to record the shade of your current teeth.
• Talk about what can and cannot be achieved with regards to the color and type of staining, and your own tooth color.

Some of the most common reasons behind tooth discoloration are:

• Coffee, tea and red wine.
• Smoking/Tobacco using
• Aging
• Poor oral hygiene
• Certain medications
• Fluorosis or enamel defects

After Teeth Bleaching

After a professional teeth whitening, most of the patients will experience the following:

• Teeth that appear 2-8 shades lighter (as a result of original tooth color and the bleaching technique used).
• A whiter and younger looking smile.
• Greater self-assurance in expressing and smiling.
• Quick, immediate and noticeable results following in-office treatment.
• Mild gum irritation and sensitivity of the teeth may occur for 24–48 hours, but is typically temporary.

Teeth bleaching dentist

• Dr. Lavina Mohan Bhatnagar
• Dr. Rahul Raj

Conclusion

Bleaching is a safe, effective and less invasive cosmetic dental procedure to enhance the whiteness of your smile and to remove stains and discoloration. Discolored teeth can be caused by old age, coffee, tea, tobacco or other factors but can show dramatic improvements in a short time with professional teeth bleaching. If performed by a trained dentist, the treatment is not only safe but also custom-made to suit your specific needs and performed in a way that will produce the best whitening results without damaging your teeth or gums. To keep your teeth whiter for longer, keep your oral hygiene up to scratch, avoid foods and drinks that stain teeth and visit your dentist regularly. For many people, the desire to have better-looking and healthier teeth and gums can be the motivation to consider professional teeth bleaching as a way to achieve a youthful and attractive smile to boost their confidence.

Teeth bleaching in India GetWellGo

GetWellGo is regarded as a leading supplier of healthcare services. We help our foreign clients choose the best treatment locations that suit their needs both financially and medically.

We offer:

• Complete transparency
• Fair costs.
• 24-hour availability.
• Medical E-visas
• Online consultation from recognized Indian experts.
• Help in choosing the Best clinics in India for Teeth bleaching.
• Expert dentists with proven results in success. 
• Assistance during and after the course of treatment.
• Language Support
• Travel and Accommodation Services
• Case manager assigned to every patient to provide seamless support in and out of the hospital like appointment booking
• Local SIM Cards
• Currency Exchange
• Arranging Patient’s local food

FAQ

Is teeth bleaching safe?

• Yes. When done by a dentist who is trained and licensed to use a dentist-recommended whitening product, professional teeth whitening is safe. Before treatment, your dentist will evaluate the health of your mouth.

What's the duration of teeth whitening process?

• In-office teeth whitening usually takes between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the whitening system employed and how discolored the teeth are.

How long do teeth bleaching results last?

• Typically, results last from 6 months to 3 years, depending on your oral hygiene, diet, smoking habits and regular dental visits.

Do teeth bleaching hurt?

• The procedure is usually painless. In some patients, however, this could cause temporary sensitivity of the teeth or mild gum irritation but it should disappear in 24–48 hours.

What steps can I take to maintain white teeth following teeth whitening?

• Good oral hygiene is important, brush and floss your teeth each day, don't use tobacco, limit foods and drinks that stain, use a straw for dark liquids if possible and make regular dentist visits for cleanings and touch-up treatments.