A white, bright smile is often linked to youth, health and confidence. Teeth whitening has become one of cosmetic dentistry’s most popular procedures. But not all tooth discolorations are the same. Jumping into whitening treatment without a proper evaluation could lead to disappointment or even damage. A proper diagnosis for teeth whitening.
If you are considering a whitening kit, or planning a whitening session in a dental clinic, it is important to have gotten screened for any specific conditions.
Why is it important to diagnose teeth whitening?
Understanding of diagnosis for teeth whitening the cause of your discoloration is essential before you begin any dental whitening treatment. This understanding is crucial, as any treatment may be ineffective, or worse, cause irritation and damage.
Diagnoses are important for many reasons.
The cause of tooth discoloration can be identified
External (extrinsic), such as coffee, tobacco and colored foods can cause tooth stains. Internal (intrinsic), however, are trauma, medication or aging. The root cause can only be determined by a proper diagnosis.
Oral Health Assessment
If you have underlying oral issues such as gum disease or enamel erosion, whitening treatments are not recommended. Your teeth and gums will be healthy enough for whitening if you have a proper dental examination.
Customize Treatment
Each patient’s teeth will react differently to the whitening agent. The dentist will suggest the most appropriate method based on the patient’s diagnosis. This may include in-office bleaching or take-home trays.
Avoids Adverse Effects
A diagnosis can help avoid side effects such as tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, or uneven whitening–especially if restorations like crowns or veneers are present that don’t respond to bleaching agents.
What is the Diagnosis process?
It is important to note that a professional teeth whitening diagnostic process does not have to be invasive or lengthy. What happens in a typical diagnostic consultation?
Patient History and Lifestyle Assessment
The dentist will ask questions to:
- Drinking habits (teas, coffees, red wines)
- Tobacco use
- Medication history, such as tetracycline usage
- Trauma to the teeth
- Past dental treatments
It is important to determine whether it is an intrinsic or extrinsic discoloration.
Dental Clinical Examination
The oral examination includes:
- Existing stains, their types and locations
- Enamel thickness
- Deterioration or damage
- Dental restorations are present (crowns or fillings and veneers).
You can also compare the shade of your teeth with a standard color guide in order to establish a baseline color.
Dental imaging (if needed)
Dental X-rays can be used to determine if there is any staining.
- The internal structure of the teeth
- Root canal problems
- Pulp health
It is important to use this method when the whitening process is not working as it should, or if you have trauma-related discoloration.
Check for Gum and Enamel Disease
For successful whitening, healthy gums and intact tooth enamel are required. The dentist will examine:
- The signs of gingivitis and periodontitis
- Hypersensitivity to enamel or wear
- Gum recession
Before whitening, you may need to treat any problems found. This could include strengthening the enamel or gums.
Whitening Suitability Assessment
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for teeth bleaching. The dentist will determine if:
- The stains too deep to be removed by whitening
- The patient has tooth colored restorations that don’t bleach.
- Peroxide is a bleaching agent that can cause an allergic reaction.
Alternative cosmetic solutions can be recommended in such cases.
Whitening recommendations are often based on common diagnoses
A dentist can identify staining based on an examination.
Extrinsic staining
Caused by: coffee, tea, smoking, wine, etc. Reacts well to:
- Professional Cleaning
- Take-home or in-office whitening kits
Intrinsic staining
If the infection is internal (e.g. due to trauma, antibiotics or other causes). It may require:
- Whitening treatments that last longer
- Internal Bleaching (for non-vital Teeth)
- If whitening doesn’t work, you can get crowns or veneers
Discoloration Age-Related
As teeth age, they naturally darken due to the enamel thinned. It is possible to achieve moderate whitening results, but it may take multiple sessions.
Fluorosis and Tetracycline Stains
It is often difficult to whiten teeth alone. Combination procedures such as microabrasions, veneers or composite bonding are sometimes recommended.
Professional vs. Do-It-Yourself Diagnosis – Which is Better?
Self-diagnosing can be dangerous, even though there are many over-the counter whitening kits available. A professional examination is necessary to determine if you need whitening.
- You will not know if you can treat the stains with whitening
- Existing issues such as sensitivity or decay may be worsened.
- The results may be uneven, ineffective or inconsistent
The dentist will diagnose your condition and provide you with the best possible results.
Conclusion
The first step to a more confident, brighter smile is getting a teeth whitening diagnosis. Professionals can determine the best whitening solution for you by assessing the type of stain, your dental health and your history.
Don’t skimp on the diagnostic process, whether you are preparing for a big event or simply want to improve your smile. A healthy smile is beautiful, and professional guidance will ensure both.
