Teeth Whitening

Dental Treatments

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment that is used to lighten the color of the teeth. It is a popular procedure because it can help to improve the appearance of the teeth and enhance a person’s smile.

So What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is the brightening and smoothing of the tone of tooth enamel, removing pigments from the top layer of dentin. The procedure belongs to cosmetic dentistry, but the latest technology is not only no longer destroying the enamel, but also has a positive effect on the condition of the teeth. It strengthens the enamel by saturating it with minerals and increases the density of the hard tissue. The whitening procedure now not only makes your teeth beautiful, but also improves their health!

Types and Methods

Mechanical method

The simplest and oldest method used in dentistry for teeth whitening is enamel. It is a mechanical cleaning method, which uses special nozzles. The advantages of this method are the effective removal of plaque and calculus on the teeth, prevention of tooth decay and gum inflammation. After the treatment, the dentist treats the teeth with an enamel protectant.

Fotobleaching

This procedure changes the color by 8-10 shades maximum. During the teeth whitening process, the dentist applies an appropriate whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide and activates it with the appropriate light. Halogen, UV light and LED lights can be used. One treatment session lasts between 15 and 30 minutes. After photo whitening, a fluoride solution is applied to the teeth in order to reduce the sensitivity and protect the enamel.

Chemical whitening

This is one of the gentler teeth whitening methods, so your teeth may only be 5 to 7 shades lighter. If you’re not sure which teeth whitening method to choose, this is a good place to start. A whitening gel is spread evenly over your enamel. If you are having it done by a professional, they will apply a mixture with a high concentration of whitening agent. Your gums will be protected beforehand with a latex plate so that the soft tissue is not damaged in the process. Neither laser nor ultraviolet light is used. Chemical bonding is contraindicated if the patient has polymer fillings, crowns or veneers.

Intracanal bleaching

This teeth whitening method is also called endo-bleaching. This procedure is indicated if the tooth is heavily blackened after a root canal treatment or filling. Your dentist prepares the tooth, puts a special filling material in the tooth, and then fills it. When the result is achieved, the tooth is restored. This type of teeth whitening can be done only once.

Laser whitening

If you want to have your teeth whitened, only your doctor can determine which teeth whitening method is best. He or she will recommend the one that best suits your situation. Laser whitening is currently the safest and most popular method of whitening your teeth. The effect is long-lasting. Therefore, despite the higher cost compared to other techniques, this method is very beneficial. Your teeth can be 7 to 10 shades lighter.

Types of teeth whitening at home:

Whitening pencil

This is a great way to quickly whiten your teeth, literally on the go. Its convenient form and effective content allow you to easily apply a whitening solution to your tooth enamel while sitting at a coffee shop table or at work. Such a device is relevant for lovers of coffee and strong tea. The components of the teeth whitening agent give back a lighter shade of enamel in just 10 minutes, and are used to maintain and extend the effect of clinical bonding methods.

Kappa system

Custom-made mouth-guard gel can be used for home use and can be obtained from the dentist. A simpler set with a standard mouth-guard can be obtained from the pharmacy. A small concentration of urea or hydrogen peroxide in the gel can lighten teeth by as little as 5 to 8 shades. If you are not happy with the whitening process, it is worth searching for information about it on the internet. You may do this by typing “in-clinic teeth whitening” into a search engine to find out about all the available options.

The strips

They contain a small concentration of hydrogen peroxide gel. For great results, the strips should be glued on the teeth and left on for the time specified in the instructions. This will help to lighten the enamel by about 3 to 5 shades.

Whitening pastes

This is one of the ineffective ways to bleach your teeth. Whitening toothpastes and tooth rinses may increase whiteness a little, but it will only make you 1 tone whiter. Dentists advise using these products to permanently maintain the color that has been achieved through professional whitening. To find out which method is better to choose, it is better to get acquainted with all available techniques in advance, find articles on the request teeth whitening by dentist pros and cons, they will tell you about all the details of the process.

Gels and varnishes.

They help to lighten the enamel by 1 to 2 shades. They contain re-mineralizing ingredients, can be easily and quickly applied with a brush or a paintbrush. After regular application for a fortnight, you will notice the enamel lightening.

Many dentists advise not to use home remedies as a standalone tooth whitening treatment, but as a supportive treatment after professional whitening in the clinic.

Treatment Plan

Detailed consultation with a specialist
Whitening of your teeth according to your wishes
Treatment by an experienced dentist in a 5-star clinic
Free assistance with any questions you may have

Teeth Whitening for:

Those whose teeth are stained or yellowed from smoking.
Those whose teeth are stained or yellowed from drinking coffee or wine.
Those whose teeth have yellowed with age.

Teeth Whitening Recovery Timeline:

Return to normal activities the same day with no recovery time in most cases.
Teeth may be sensitive for a couple of days.

Possible Risks for Teeth Whitening:

Sensitive teeth
Root damage

Aftercare

For 48 hours after teeth whitening, you should completely avoid eating any colourful foods.
Within 2 days after bleaching, completely stop smoking tobacco products. During the next 2 weeks, reduce the number of cigarettes smoked as much as possible.
After bleaching procedures, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene: floss, use a good toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash and irrigator.
In case of discomfort/pain, take a painkiller.

Top teeth whitening costs by country

Country	Price	Rating
Turkey	~ 250€	★★★★★
Czech Republic	~ 260€	★★★★
Mexico	~ 290€	★★★
Germany	~ 430€	★★
USA	~ 600€	★★

FAQ

What is the difference between professional and non-professional whitening?

Professional whitening is carried out by a qualified dentist, which guarantees a high standard of service and is free from complications, resulting in a significant and long-lasting effect.

Is whitening bad for my teeth? Won’t they become more brittle, more susceptible to decay or erosion after bleaching?

It is laboratory and clinical proven that bleaching does not damage the structure of the crystal structure of the teeth which is responsible for their strength and resistance to decay: it only affects the organic pigments of the tooth which are responsible for their colour. All over the world, professional whitening methods have been used for decades, and over the years no adverse effects on either the teeth or the oral tissues have been observed.

Is whitening a painful procedure?

In some cases, whitening can cause tooth sensitivity in response to whitening gel molecules penetrating into the surface layers of the tooth. But this is an individual reaction. Tooth sensitivity during bleaching is always temporary, and after the procedure is over it will disappear. To prevent and eliminate the sensitivity, the doctor uses special professional gels containing fluoride and potassium nitrate. A local anaesthetic may also be administered if indicated by the doctor.

Can I have bleaching if I already have tooth sensitivity?

The causes of sensitivity before and during bleaching are usually due to areas of bare or worn enamel, wedge-shaped defects and cavities. These areas have to be isolated with special materials during bleaching. Since almost all modern whitening systems contain preparations (sodium fluoride, potassium nitrate, amorphous calcium phosphate), while whitening the patient also takes a course that strengthens the enamel structure and helps reduce tooth sensitivity.

How long does the effect last after whitening?

The degree of whitening and how long the effect lasts depend on the whitening technique. The individual colour of your teeth is taken into account. The result on average lasts for 3-5 years and with proper care – even longer. All manufacturers of whitening systems recommend a short maintenance course of home whitening every six months.

What happens to enamel during and after bleaching?

Voids appear in the enamel structure where the pigment has been washed away. This is the cause of the painful sensation of the patient. Studies show that 8 days after the procedure, the body completely restores the structure of enamel, but no longer with pigmented compounds, but with apatite crystals.

Can I have bleaching if I have fillings?

Yes. But you should be aware that fillings are not whitened. If they are large, they can be replaced after the whitening procedure. If they are small, they may not be visible. ⠀

Can I have bleaching if I have tooth decay?

No. The tooth decay must be treated before the treatment can take place.

History

White teeth have not always been a sign of human attractiveness. History knows quite many cases in which different cultures have given their teeth turquoise, green or black shades. The standard of beauty is a rather variable concept, which still varies today. But mankind has always strived to perform a variety of manipulations on teeth: grinding, constructing, smoothing out broken edges, etc.

For example, the Mayans who lived on our planet over 2,000 years ago had sharp teeth with gemstones set in them, which were considered to be the standard of beauty. The Mayans preferred to paint their teeth blue, green or turquoise. Mature women from Bali also tried to look more beautiful by completely removing the enamel from their front teeth. Samurai and women in Japan painted their teeth with special black enamel, which emphasized the whiteness of the face. In Madagascar, it was customary for women to have shark-sharp incisors. In some African tribes, men also attracted female attention by sharpening their front teeth.

It was long ago in Europe when black teeth were considered a model of attractiveness. There were reasons for this. In Russia, one of the signs of luxury was sugar, which was very expensive. The constant use of sugar made their teeth sick and gave them a black color which they were very proud of. Poorer people, in an attempt to look richer, used carbon black to stain their teeth. In England during the reign of Elizabeth, sugar was also considered very expensive and black teeth were the result of overconsumption. Unsurprisingly, the tradition had become obsolete by the early 18th century.

A snow-white smile was first popular in the USA and is still considered an indicator not only of health, but also of wealth.

An important milestone in the history of whitening began in 1884 when hydrogen peroxide became the official foundation for all whitening systems not only for the next 100 years, but for a much later period. The first results of extensive scientific research were made public in 1990. They confirmed that this tooth whitening technology was completely safe and would not cause any damage to enamel. As a result of this conclusion, the teeth whitening process gained a second popularity.

In the early ’90s, the market launched such trendy whitening products as: Discus Dental by Nite White; Opalescence by Ultradent. A little later, ZOOM technology was an absolute hit.

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