Our teeth can discolor through the years as our enamel wears down. The wearing down of enamel allows dentin, a yellow color substance that makes the core of our teeth, to show through. This is what gives our teeth a yellowish tint. Teeth whitening helps restore teeth to a shiny white color through the use of bleach.

Teeth whitening methods

There are two popular teeth whitening options available through your dentist. The first, in-office teeth whitening, produces a significant color change in your teeth in a short amount of time, usually within an hour. The procedure is done at the dentist’s office by applying a high-concentration peroxide gel on the teeth after they have been protected with a special shield.

The second method, involves the use of take home whitening kits. These whitening kits are purchased from your doctor for use at home. The strength of the gel used in these kits is lower than that used for in-office bleaching, and thus the gel can be applied for longer periods of time. Usually the trays are worn a couple hours a day or overnight for a few days or weeks depending on the product.

Its best to consult your dentist to understand which whitening option is best for you.

Compared to fillings which just cover a small portion of a tooth, a crown or cap encases the entire visible portion of a tooth. In effect, the crown acts as the tooth’s new outer surface.

It is used when a tooth is badly decayed or broken to such an extent that fillings aren’t able to repair the problem. The crown is able to provide a protective shell around the damaged or decayed tooth to strengthen it, as well as to improve the appearance of the tooth.

It can also help to restore a tooth to its original shape, commonly used for teeth that are broken. While crowns come in different materials, the most common crowns typically have some mixture of porcelain in them to give them a look and feel, similar to a natural tooth.

How it is done

The first visit involves Dr Ang reshaping the tooth and taking moulds to create the crown. A portion of the tooth will have to be removed for the crown to fit properly. The mould will be sent to a dental laboratory to be made into a permanent crown. Before sending you home, she will then provide you with a temporary crown to cover your tooth in between the visits. The fabrication typically takes 1 week.

When you return, the permanent crown from the dental laboratory is fitted after removal of the temporary crown and finally cemented in place. Comfortable bite and colour match are done before the final cementation stage.

Bridge is literally to bridge the gap created by 1 or more missing teeth. It is usually made up of 2 or more crowns on either sides of the gap.