There's no one standard system in the dental field to measure and determine tooth color. Nor is there an exact answer to how white your teeth can become-every person's situation is unique. One commonly used reference tool, however, is a shade guide.
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How Do I Know what Shade My Teeth are?
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Medically Reviewed By Colgate Global Scientific Communications
One of the more common shade guides divides tooth color into four basic shade ranges:
- A (reddish brown)
- B (reddish yellow)
- C (gray)
- D (reddish gray)
Within each range are different levels of darkness — which results in a chart detailed enough for almost everyone to find their exact tooth color on the guide.
To use such a guide, simply match your current tooth color to the corresponding color on the chart. This gives you a starting point as you determine how much whiter you'd like your teeth to be.
How white should your teeth become? That depends.
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There's no one right way to whiten your teeth. Some people want an instant and dramatic change, while others prefer more gradual whitening such as the type that results from a whitening toothpaste or gel. Final results depend on your natural tooth color, how stubborn any stains are and the treatment you choose. Keep in mind that:
- A change of just two or three shades can make a noticeable difference in just about anyone's smile
- While whitening can occasionally change tooth color nine or more shades, the majority of people who whiten their teeth see a change of between two and seven shades
- Each procedure has its advantages and disadvantages. Laser whitening and other in-office bleaching procedures, for example, may produce the most dramatic results, but cost significantly more
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11/15/2010
