Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental treatment aimed at bleaching teeth that have become darker in tone over time. This discoloration can occur due to various reasons and can be effectively treated using whitening products applied by dental professionals. The whitening process, known as vital bleaching, is suitable for healthy teeth and can be performed using two different methods:
- In-Office Whitening: This procedure is conducted in a dental office, offering quick and potent results due to the use of professional-grade bleaching agents and sometimes enhanced by light or laser activation.
- At-Home Whitening: For this method, patients use custom-made trays provided by their dentist, applying a bleaching agent at home over a period, typically several weeks, under the guidance of their dental professional.
Additionally, there is a specific treatment known as devital whitening, which is used for teeth that have undergone root canal treatment. This type of whitening treats internal discoloration of non-vital teeth, restoring their brightness.
Suitable for
Teeth whitening is suitable for patients who meet the following criteria:
- Age and Health: Individuals who are 18 years or older with healthy teeth and gums.
- Causes of Discoloration: Patients with teeth that have darkened due to various factors, including the consumption of colored foods and beverages, cigarette smoking, certain medications, teeth that have undergone root canal treatment, developmental tooth disorders, or natural aging.
- Allergy Considerations: Patients who are not allergic to the components used in whitening products.
Treatment Process
In-office Bleaching:
- Procedure: The process involves applying a special gel to the teeth, which is either mixed or activated by light after the gums are protected with a barrier.
- Duration: Each session lasts between 30- and 60 minutes, depending on the type of material used.
- Frequency: The procedure may require 2-3 sessions with intervals of one week until the desired level of whiteness is achieved.
At-home Bleaching:
- Procedure: Patients perform this procedure at home using whitening gels and night guards prepared by their dental professional.
- Duration: The whitening process is carried out overnight during sleep, typically for 6-8 hours.
- Course of Treatment: The total treatment duration ranges from 2 to 4 weeks.
Devital Walking Bleach (Intracoronal Bleaching):
- Procedure: Suitable for teeth that have undergone root canal treatment, this method involves a dental professional placing a whitening agent inside the tooth and sealing it with a temporary filling.
- Duration: The bleaching agent is left inside the tooth for an average of 3-7 days before being removed.
- Frequency: Depending on the desired degree of whitening, 1-3 sessions may be necessary.
Treatment’s period
After Care
After undergoing a teeth whitening procedure, it is important to follow these guidelines to maintain the whiteness of your teeth:
- Avoid Certain Substances: For the first 2 days after bleaching, it’s crucial to avoid tea, coffee, cigarettes, cola, red wine, acidic drinks, and colored foods. Ideally, extending this avoidance to 7-10 days will provide optimal results.
- Long-Term Care: To preserve the whiteness of your teeth over time, maintain good oral hygiene, and avoid foods and habits that can cause staining, such as consuming coloring foods and smoking.
This ongoing care is essential for keeping your teeth bright and healthy.
Potential risks and side effects
After teeth whitening treatment, you may experience some after-effects, including:
- Hypersensitivity: It’s common to experience increased sensitivity in the teeth following the treatment. This hypersensitivity can last for 1-2 weeks.
- Varying Results: In cases where the initial color tone of the teeth is very dark, there may be instances where no noticeable change in tooth whiteness occurs. This limitation is important to consider when setting expectations for teeth whitening outcomes.
In which cases tooth whitening cannot be applied?
Teeth whitening treatment has specific considerations and is not suitable for everyone, including:
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Teeth whitening is not recommended for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding due to uncertainties about how the whitening products might affect the baby.
- Existing Dental Work: The colors of existing dental work such as laminate veneers, composite restorations, crowns, or bridges will not be affected by teeth whitening treatments. These materials do not lighten along with natural teeth.
- Tooth Hypersensitivity: Patients with tooth hypersensitivity should avoid teeth whitening, as the treatment could exacerbate their condition and lead to increased discomfort.