Short Essay on Tooth Bleaching

Short Essay on Tooth Bleaching

The lightening of color of tooth through application of chemical agent to oxidize/reduce the organic pigmentation in the tooth is known as bleaching. It was 1st advocated by Dr JA Chappie (1877). He used oxalic acid. Harlan used hydrogen peroxide for bleaching first time in 1884, which he called hydrogen dioxide.

Although many mechanisms by which bleaching removes discoloration are not fully understood, the basic process involves oxidation, in which the bleaching agent enters the enamel/dentin of discolored tooth and releases the molecules that removes the stains.

The effectiveness of bleaching procedure broadly depends upon the cause of the stain, location and depth of the stain, length of period the stain permitted to retain on the structure of tooth and depth of penetration and period of retention of bleaching agent inside the tooth to release the deep stains.

The process of bleaching for superficial stains is fairly simple. However, deep stains may require mild etching to remove the superficial organic materials and to expose the deeper areas of enamel.

Once hydrogen peroxide was established as a most effective bleaching agent, attempts were put to facilitate its absorption and penetration to speed the procedure of oxidation.

In 1918, Abbot discovered what the basic combination today remains: A high intensity light that produces the rapid rise in the temperature of hydrogen peroxide to accelerate the procedure of bleaching.

Since then there is continuous improvement in the effectiveness and the ease of use of bleaching agents, heat and light catalyst devices, and the alternative methods.

Three most prominent bleaching processes are peroxide, chlorine and chloride. Peroxide requires least time and it is most commonly used.