Teeth Whitening
An aesthetic smile; reflects many positive values such as health, success, strength and beauty. In order to achieve an aesthetic smile, it is necessary to have white teeth. For this reason, white teeth have an important place in terms of self-confidence and aesthetic appearance. If the teeth are not cleaned for genetic reasons or after antibiotic use, excessive smoking, tea and coffee consumption, color changes occur and this aesthetic appearance deteriorates. These discolorations on the teeth can be whitened with different teeth whitening methods performed in the office and home environment. You can consult your dentist for the most suitable whitening method for you, and after your routine examinations, you can determine the most suitable method for you.
The teeth whitening process is quite different from the polishing process after the tartar cleaning process. In the teeth whitening process, the color tone of the tooth can be lightened up to 3-5 tons (depending on the power of the device used).
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening (Bleaching); It is the process of removing the colors formed in the superficial and deep layers of the teeth for various reasons by using special whitening gels and blue light and making them whiter.
What are the causes of tooth discoloration?
Structural disorders that occur during the formation of teeth due to genetic disorders,
Coloring due to intense fluoride intake in drinking water,
Some antibiotics exposed during infancy or in the womb,
Coloring due to root canal treatment,
Coloring of the surface of the tooth due to the use of coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine and mouthwashes for a long time,
Discoloration due to bleeding inside the tooth due to the death of living tissue inside the tooth as a result of trauma.
What are the causes of tooth discoloration?
Structural disorders that occur during the formation of teeth due to genetic disorders,
Coloring due to intense fluoride intake in drinking water,
Some antibiotics exposed during infancy or in the womb,
Coloring due to root canal treatment,
Coloring of the surface of the tooth due to the use of coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine and mouthwashes for a long time,
Discoloration due to bleeding inside the tooth due to the death of living tissue inside the tooth as a result of trauma.
How Many Types of Teeth Whitening Methods Are There?
There are 4 different methods of teeth whitening treatment.
Office type teeth whitening (Clinical whitening)
At-home teeth whitening (Home Bleaching)
Combined teeth whitening (Home + office whitening)
Single tooth whitening (Internal Bleaching)
Office Type Teeth Whitening (Bleaching in the clinical setting)
It is a teeth whitening method applied in the clinic. It is applied by the physician. The application time is shorter than other methods. Office type whitening is the most effective method among all whitening systems. In order to get a more effective result before teeth whitening, it is necessary to perform tartar cleaning and polishing (removal of stains on the top layer of the tooth) before whitening. After scaling, intraoral photographs of the patient are taken. Tooth color is detected. It is important to determine how much whitening the teeth are after the treatment.
Before the procedure, the gums are covered with a protective barrier so that the whitening agent does not damage the gums, and then the whitening gel is applied to the teeth. The gel is activated by irradiation at intervals of approximately 15 minutes. Whitening gel is applied to the teeth two or three times and irradiated. What is important in the whitening process is the power of the bleaching device. With appropriate devices, the desired whiteness is achieved in 45 minutes in a single session. Avoiding coloring foods (tea, coffee, wine, etc.) for a week after the bleaching process and minimizing smoking prolongs the life of the bleaching process.
Home Type Teeth Whitening (Home Bleaching)
The process of bleaching teeth at home through whitening gels is called home bleaching. Teeth whitening at home (Home Bleaching); In the procedure, first measurements are taken from the lower and upper jaws of the patient, and then the plate is prepared. The patient is given tubes containing whitening agents at a lower rate than the office type to put in the plaques, and the physician explains how to apply them to their teeth. The patient should apply the whitening plates for at least 4-6 hours during the day, according to the recommendation of the dentist, for an average of 10-15 days, or for 8-10 days during the night's sleep.
The application time varies according to the color of the tooth and the strength of the whitening agent.
Combined Teeth Whitening (Home + Office type whitening)
It is a teeth whitening method that is applied both in the office and at home. After being applied in the office or clinic, the process is supported with home bleaching.
What is Single Teeth Whitening (Internal Bleaching)?
It is applied to teeth that change color after root canal treatment. The filling in the tooth is removed, the whitening gel is applied to the opened space, and then the tooth is closed with a temporary filling. The sessions are repeated until the desired color is achieved.
Which Type of Teeth Bleaching Method Is Suitable For Me?
The method to be applied is decided according to the darkness of your teeth. If you want your teeth to be lighter by a few tones, only home bleaching is sufficient, while in cases where three tones or more whitening is required, office bleaching or combined teeth whitening will be required. In order to decide on the suitable teeth whitening method for you, you should definitely be examined.
What Should Be Considered After Teeth Bleaching?
Teeth whitened in the first week after bleaching are very sensitive to coloring foods and during this 7-day period, colored like tea, coffee, wine, chocolate, strawberry, cherry, ketchup, tomato paste; Acidic liquids such as cola and tobacco products should be avoided. Otherwise, the effect of whitening may decrease in the early period.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening (Bleaching) Take?
The effectiveness of the device used is very important during the whitening process. In our clinic, the desired result can be achieved in a single session (45 minutes).
Is Teeth Whitening (Bleaching) Safe, Or Does It Damage Teeth?
Teeth whitening process does not harm the teeth if it is applied with the right product, appropriate dose and ideal times. It can only cause slight sensitivity in the teeth. This tooth sensitivity; It is against the air, very hot-cold foods and drinks and it goes away in a few days. When an unexpected situation is encountered, a doctor should be consulted. Bleaching process should be done by physicians who have experience in this field. Otherwise, if it is done in an inappropriate dose and time, permanent damage to the enamel layer of the tooth may occur. Different concentrations of drugs are also used to whiten teeth, depending on the color of the tooth. The dentist must decide how and how much to use them.
Does Internal Whitening Have Any Damage To The Teeth?
If the filling made after the root canal filling and whitening agent is applied, there is no harm to the tooth.
In Which Situations Is Teeth Whitening Process Used?
Teeth whitening is used safely in our patients who are not satisfied with the color of their teeth.
Is there an age limit for teeth whitening?
The patient must be at least 18 years old in order to perform the teeth whitening procedure.
How Long Will My Teeth Whiten With Bleaching?
Teeth whitening, which can be done using different methods and products, can result in different times depending on the nature of the operations performed. With office-type teeth whitening in our own clinic, the desired result can be achieved within 45 minutes.
Is the Effect of Teeth Whitening Permanent?
After bleaching, the whiteness begins to decrease over time. This period varies according to the patient's use of colored liquids (tea, coffee, wine, cola, etc.) and smoking. If you stay away from coloring foods for the first ten days after whitening and pay attention to oral hygiene procedures, you can maintain the whiteness of your teeth for up to three years.
I Have Sensitivity in My Teeth, Can I Still Have Whitening?
After the cause of the sensitivity is determined and treated, you can have whitening.
What are the Harms of Teeth Whitening Procedures with Natural or Non-Natural Alternative Ways?
Teeth whitening with bleach, teeth whitening with vinegar, tooth whitening with cedar, tooth whitening with baking soda, teeth whitening with cyanide, teeth whitening with turmeric, teeth whitening with coconut oil, teeth whitening with strawberries, teeth whitening with aluminum foil, teeth whitening with lemon, walnuts It is published on the Internet and in newspaper columns, where dozens of methods such as tooth whitening with its peel and so on whiten teeth. Some of them do not work, some of them whiten, but leave irreversible damage to the tooth enamel.
Does Teeth Whitening (Bleaching) Damage Gums?
Before the whitening process, the gingival barrier is used to protect the gums. In case of insufficient or missing gingival barrier, the whitening agent may damage the gingiva if it comes into contact with the gingiva. Gums will renew themselves in a few days, no permanent damage will occur.
What Should Be Considered in Home Type Teeth Whitening Treatment?
The most important point to be considered in home teeth whitening is not to apply the amount of whitening gel in line with the recommendation of the dentist. While the whitening is not at the desired level when applied less, the bleaching agent overflowing from the plaque may overflow and burn the gums when applied too much.
In Which Situations Is Teeth Whitening (Bleaching) Not Applicable?
It is not recommended to apply teeth whitening to people who have not completed their growth and development, those with advanced gingivitis, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
The bleaching process performed under the control of a dentist does not cause any harm, provided that the appropriate dose and appropriate product are used.