Smile enhancement the conservative way: Tooth whitening procedures.

This article presents clinical cases in which different bleaching modalities have been used to successfully treat unsightly teeth. Depending upon the type and severity of discoloration, in-office vital and nonvital bleaching procedures were carried out. Discoloration of a single tooth has been managed using nonvital bleaching alone or with a combination of other minimally invasive modalities for an acceptable esthetic outcome. The case selection was done by considering the patient's needs and expectations, the type and cause of discoloration and patient economics. Moreover, prime importance was given to the conservation of the existing tooth structure and acquiring a complete change in the shade of teeth, which was comparable to that of the adjacent teeth. The desire to have a bright smile has become an important esthetic need of patients. The article explores various forms of bleaching and their successful usage in day-to-day clinical practice.