Whitening/Brightening Teeth?

What is the best, and most natural looking, way to go about brightening/whitening teeth?

I was thinking that dodging might be the best way, but I'm wondering if there is something better to try.

Thanks.

Select the teeth, and then slowly desat desat the yellow.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17889669
Select the teeth, and then slowly desat desat the yellow.

Clever. I'll try that.

Another technique is to create a curves layer with increased brightness in the upper region of the spectrum, then slowly paint this layer in at about 7-10% opacity.

I use the desaturation method too. Lightrooms adjustment brush over the teeth then raise exposure and reduce saturation. Same thing for whites of eyes.

Thanks, everyone! This mouth I'm working on is looking better. The desaturation of the yellow and 10% brightness layer did the trick.

How are you dealing with dental fluorosis (white spots/streaks)? I've tried a variety of patching and healing techniques, but the results are pretty obvious.

Lightroom's teeth whitening preset for the adjustment brush usually does a good job - depending on how the teeth are to start with. I use it on eye whites a lot, too.

Use a second shot of the same adjustment brush for more whitening of local areas (eye veins, or individual teeth that are worse than others).

gonzogolf wrote in post #17889669
Select the teeth, and then slowly desat desat the yellow.

Bingo.

Sponge tool set to desaturation. Hardness at 0 or close.

No, not desaturation! That looks awful. Only raise the Lightness slider.

Desaturation removes the yellowing of teeth which is what you want. Whitening looks unnatural and makes the too bright and white.

Damo77 wrote in post #17892611
No, not desaturation! That looks awful. Only raise the Lightness slider.

Only if glowing yellow is what you are after.

Maybe different people have different types of discoloration on their teeth, and they all need slightly different processing treatments?


...nah

Damo77 wrote in post #17892611
No, not desaturation! That looks awful. Only raise the Lightness slider.

He's only desaturating the yellow channel, not just normal desaturation.

neacail wrote in post #17890126
.......

How are you dealing with dental fluorosis (white spots/streaks)? .......

I've never had to deal with this, but it's my guess that carefully using the spot-healing brush and/or clone tool before 'whitening' should work.