Tooth whitening: practice and procedures

Tooth whitening or bleaching describes the act of lightening the shade of the teeth. Unlike most other dental procedures, bleaching is entirely cosmetic. It is performed electively, usually at a patient's request.

‘Vital’ bleaching refers to the technique of whitening healthy teeth, normally performed on a entire arch of teeth, whereas ‘non-vital’ bleaching refers to the technique of whitening root-filled teeth, performed on a tooth-by-tooth basis. This article will focus on the technique of vital bleaching, hereafter simply referred to as bleaching.

Tooth discolouration is caused by intrinsic or extrinsic factors.

Extrinsic discolouration is present on the surface of the teeth and is usually amenable to physical dislodgment, such as during a routine scale and polish. Removal of extrinsic discolouration will not alter the fundamental shade of the teeth.