What Causes Patchy Results After a Teeth Whitening Treatment?
A whiter smile could do wonders to improve how you feel about yourself. Teeth whitening is a common dental procedure that helps remove stains and restore the natural color of the teeth. Nevertheless, some individuals report their teeth do not achieve an even whiteness after this kind of procedure. It might look like certain parts get whiter, but the rest of the teeth still look yellowish, dull or even slightly darker. And it certainly is not very pleasant.
There are a number of reasons why patchy whitening occurs. Individual tooth structure, previous dental procedures, old stains and even different enamel thickness could influence the effectiveness of whitening products. The initial condition of your teeth plays a huge part here.
Knowing this information could help you to understand the reasons why you might not get the desired effect and help to prepare yourself in case you decide to have a Teeth Whitening Treatment in Sydney.
Why Does Teeth Whitening Sometimes Look Uneven?
Teeth whitening products function on the principle of using the whitening agents that allow breaking down some stains that occur in the tooth. However, each tooth differs in terms of its structure and color. This means that there will be differences in the whitening process among each of the teeth.
Some teeth may show fast reaction to the process, while others may react differently. It is possible that the front teeth will look whiter than the back teeth or vice versa; some part of the tooth may look whiter than other parts. In such cases, the failure of the procedure is not necessarily occurring.
The initial color of the teeth, discolored state, and the enamel condition can affect the results. A dentist or whitening specialist will be able to give you a detailed explanation of the possibilities and expected results.
Common Reasons Behind Patchy Teeth Whitening Results
1. Different Levels of Enamel Thickness
Enamel refers to the strong outer coating that covers the surface of your teeth. The enamel may be thicker in some areas but thin in other areas where more of the yellow dentin beneath is visible.
This natural variation can lead to an uneven appearance during the process of teeth whitening. The variation in enamel thickness means that even after the whitening procedure, the reflection of light on each tooth will vary.
The enamel tends to get thinner over time due to normal wear and tear. This is why some individuals may experience a reduced effect of teeth whitening compared to how it was previously before.
2. Different Types of Tooth Stains
All tooth stains do not react equally when using whitening products. Surface stains resulting from consumption of tea, coffee, red wine, and smoking habits are usually different from those that are deep into the teeth.
While some tooth stains may whiten easily, there are some stains which are hard to get rid of. These may include those stains which result from taking some medications or injuries on the teeth.
In cases where there are several stains on the teeth, the final result will not be uniform.
3. Existing Fillings, Crowns and Veneers
The other cause of uneven whitening is having dental work done already. Restorative procedures such as fillings, crowns, veneers and bonding do not whiten the same way that your natural tooth enamel does.
This means that your natural teeth will be lightened but the teeth with the restorations will not change color. You may notice a change in color after the treatment.
For instance, if you had a front tooth with a filling, the natural enamel around it will be whiter but the filling will retain its natural color.
4. Dehydration During Whitening
There is a situation whereby the teeth will temporarily become dehydrated during the whitening process. If this happens, it is possible that the teeth will be lighter than normal.
In this case, there may be uneven coloration of the whitened teeth shortly after the process. The color will later on be restored when the teeth regain moisture.
Therefore, it would be wise not to evaluate the results of the whitening process immediately after it is done.
5. Natural Colour Differences Between Teeth
Teeth may vary naturally in terms of their natural colours. In fact, front teeth, canine teeth, and back teeth do not necessarily have the same colours.
For instance, it may be common for canine teeth to appear yellower compared to the front teeth due to variations in the internal structure of the teeth. Such a natural difference may become more visible with whitening treatment.
A professional evaluation will assist in determining whether the difference is indeed natural.
6. White Spots and Mineral Changes in Enamel
Some individuals have white spots or patches naturally occurring on their teeth. This could be a result of fluorosis, where there was early demineralization or abnormal development of enamel during the development of the teeth.
Teeth whitening will only serve to highlight these spots as the rest of the tooth gets whitened. It is not the teeth whitening procedure that causes the spots; rather, it highlights the difference in coloration.
If you have white spots, you should consult a dentist first before undertaking any whitening procedures.
7. Uneven Application of Whitening Products
Application of the whitening materials can also have an impact on how the end result looks like. If there is uneven application of the gel, then certain portions of the teeth might come in greater contact with the whitening product than other portions.
Whitening products for home use tend to be hard to apply in an even manner especially if the trays or strips don't fit properly.
Professional whitening treatments involve better control of the application process. Even then, it is not possible to achieve an identical shade for all teeth due to differences in tooth structure and type of stains.
How to Identify the Reason for Uneven Whitening
However, before going for a new whitening process, you should learn the reason why your teeth appear blotchy. A closer look at your teeth and your dental history may tell you what may be causing this problem.
The table below illustrates how you can interpret different patterns.
What you notice | Possible reason |
White patches after treatment | Temporary dehydration or existing enamel marks |
Yellow areas between brighter teeth | Deeper stains or natural shade differences |
One tooth remains darker | Previous dental injury or internal discolouration |
Fillings look darker than natural teeth | Dental restorations do not whiten like natural enamel |
Uneven colour near the edges | Differences in enamel thickness |
These are general signs, not a diagnosis. If the patches remain, become more noticeable or cause discomfort, ask a dental professional to examine your teeth.
Is Patchy Whitening Permanent?
This does not always mean that the effect is going to be permanent. Sometimes, uneven patches occur when the enamel is deprived of moisture for a certain period of time during the process.
Still, in cases where uneven coloration results from white spots, intrinsic stains, fillings or crowns, the problem won’t go away by itself. The best course of action will depend on the cause.
A dentist might suggest keeping an eye on the coloration or changing your bleaching technique. But first, you have to find out what caused the problem.
What Should Sydney Residents Know Before Booking Teeth Whitening?
Those searching for a Teeth Whitening Treatment in Sydney are advised to consider the methods of treatment carefully and not rely only on the shades that can be whitened by the service offered.
Find out the kind of whitening formula that will be applied and how the treatment is carried out. Also determine whether or not your teeth are assessed prior to the procedure.
Conclusion
The reason behind uneven whitening of the teeth could be due to several factors like the thickness of the enamel, existing discoloration, tooth restorations, and even dehydration. Knowing the reason behind this issue will be the first step towards getting an even appearance in your smile. Repeating the treatments or experimenting with other home solutions is not the way out.
If you are someone who is interested in getting a teeth whitening treatment in Sydney, you can compare the treatment techniques, location of the dentist, and even the expected outcomes before making your choice. White and Bright offers in-chair teeth whitening treatment using the LED light, with both 60-minute and 90-minute treatment options in their Brisbane studio.
Discover the teeth whitening solutions offered by White and Bright to get a better idea about the treatment options they offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do my teeth look patchy after whitening?
Your teeth may look patchy because of temporary enamel dehydration, existing white spots, different stain types or natural colour differences. Some unevenness may improve as your teeth rehydrate.
How long does it take for patchy whitening results to settle?
Temporary colour changes caused by dehydration may settle within a day or two. However, existing stains, enamel marks and differences in dental work may remain. If the patches continue, seek professional advice.
Can professional teeth whitening fix uneven tooth colour?
Professional whitening can help reduce certain types of discolouration. However, it may not completely remove every patch or colour difference. The result depends on the cause of the uneven appearance.
Can fillings and crowns cause patchy whitening results?
Yes. Natural teeth respond to whitening products, but fillings, crowns and veneers generally retain their original colour. This can create a visible difference between natural teeth and restored areas.
Should I repeat my whitening treatment if the results look uneven?
You should not repeat the treatment immediately. Give your teeth time to settle and consult a dental professional. They can assess the colour difference and advise whether another session is suitable.
Does LED teeth whitening provide even results?
LED whitening is used with whitening gel in some professional treatments. However, it cannot guarantee identical shades across every tooth. Natural enamel differences, existing stains and dental restorations can affect the final appearance.
Can coffee and tea cause uneven teeth colour?
Yes. Regular coffee and tea consumption can contribute to surface staining. If some teeth already have more stains than others, these differences may remain noticeable after whitening.
