Bleaching is a very safe, effective, and long-lasting way to lighten tooth color. Over time teeth become more yellow and stained. There are many causes for darkening of teeth; coffee, tea, soda, tobacco products and wine are some of the ways. In-office bleaching process involves wearing custom-made clear plastic trays filled with a bleaching gel. The trays are worn for 30 minutes at a time, twice a day.
Results are noticeable in less than a week. The entire process takes 2 weeks.
Teeth that have a yellow tint will lighten very nicely while teeth that have a gray tint or have dark bands do not lighten appreciably. Tooth-colored fillings and crowns do not lighten from bleaching.