Whitening teeth before treatmentis finished

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#1 Post by **24braceface** » Sat May 16, 2009 3:37 pm

I have a big summer with a lot of events coming up. I used to have really pretty white teeth, but the invisalign has yellowed them. Do you think my orthodontist will let me get them whitened before treatment is over? I've been patient, but I don't want to have to wait all the way until after refinements to have my teeth whitened, especially since I'm going to be photographed a lot this summer (weddings, vacations, etc.).

Has anyone here had their teeth whitened before treatment was finished?

#2 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Sun May 17, 2009 7:13 am

We advise our patients not to whiten during treatment if they have attachments on. Since part of the tooth surface is covered by the attachment, you run the risk of having a finding a different shade after removal since that area was not whitened.

The time to whiten is during the first two stages if your orthodontist places attachment at stage 3 or at the end of treatment.

Otherwise, a good cleaning and polishing should help as well.

Good luck!

#3 Post by **24braceface** » Sun May 17, 2009 1:58 pm

I had my attachments put on immediately so I didn't have a chance to whiten. I'm going to ask my ortho to whiten, I'm paying him and there's no way I'm willing to wait until after refinements to whiten.

#4 Post by **myhollywoodsmile** » Sun May 17, 2009 6:14 pm

Hi there,
I whitened in weeks 1 and 2 before my attachments went on. My ortho told me that I definitely shouldn't do it after that as the part where the attachments are would remain darker and it would be impossible to ever get a colour match. If you are getting your attachments taken off before refinements you might be able to do it though as it is the attachments that are the problem. If you won't have any during refinement you should be ok.
I guess it all depends on your treatment plan and whether your ortho is willing to take off the attachments between phases. Do you know why they are yellower? Is is something that might come off with a polish?

Good luck anyway.

#5 Post by **lemon tree** » Fri May 29, 2009 8:47 pm

i'm getting my attachments taken out for my wedding so am going to try to fit some whitening in in between. I don't regret not having them whitened at the beginning since I had some overlapping teeth and was concerned about them being whitened unevenly.

#6 Post by **myhollywoodsmile** » Sat May 30, 2009 4:53 am

Good point, I hadn't thought of that. I will have to look where my overlaps are and see whether they are yellower. Quite likely I suppose. I think I will need to do a bit more at the end anyway as they already seem to be yellowing up a bit.