Tooth Whitening

Docintur April 3, 2024

0 9 5 minutes read

Tooth Whitening is an aesthetic treatment method performed to make teeth look whiter than they are. Teeth whitening treatment aims to remove the substances in the enamel structure of the teeth. Discoloration of teeth can cause self-confidence problems in patients. These problems can be eliminated with teeth whitening methods.

Table of Contents

Who Can Receive Teeth Whitening Treatment?

What should be known about the people who can be applied teeth whitening treatment can be listed as follows:

In order for teeth whitening treatment to be performed, the patient must be over 16 years of age. Under 16s have larger nerve tissues in their teeth. Therefore, sensitivity may increase after treatment.
The patient must not be pregnant for the treatment to take place.
In order to apply teeth whitening treatment to breastfeeding patients, the breastfeeding period must be over.
For teeth whitening treatment to be performed, the patient’s oral condition must be suitable for the treatment. Patients with advanced tooth or gum problems are treated for other problems before teeth whitening.

Whether patients who request teeth whitening will be suitable for treatment is determined after a comprehensive examination. For this reason, if you have decided to whiten your teeth, you should definitely be examined beforehand.

Before Teeth Whitening

In the process before teeth whitening treatment, the patient undergoes a comprehensive examination. At this stage, it is determined whether the patient is suitable for teeth whitening treatment and the degree of discoloration is determined. Treatment planning is made in line with these determinations.

Teeth Whitening Methods

There are three most preferred methods within the scope of teeth whitening techniques. These methods can be listed as follows:

Teeth Whitening with Laser: It is a teeth whitening method in which the teeth whitening gel applied on the tooth surface is activated with a laser. Laser application accelerates the decomposition of the gel. The treatment should be performed by a specialist physician in a clinical environment.
Home Teeth Whitening: It is a teeth whitening method in which the teeth whitening kit is given to the patient and the application is performed by the patient at home in accordance with the instructions of the specialist.
Tooth Bleaching: It is a technique used for lifeless teeth. It is generally used for teeth that change color as a result of dental treatments. Within the scope of the treatment, gel is placed in the pulp and bleaching is performed by waiting. It is a method performed by a specialist physician in a clinical environment.

Which of the teeth whitening methods will be preferred is determined by the physician in line with the patient’s expectations and needs.

Teeth Whitening Treatment with Laser

Laser teeth whitening treatment is one of the most preferred treatment methods to get effective results in a short time. The number of sessions of the treatment is determined after a comprehensive examination. However, it can be said that a satisfactory tooth color is achieved in the first session in most of the patients. One of the important advantages of the method is the possibility of performing more than one session in a single appointment if requested by the patient. Teeth whitening with laser application will be carried out briefly as follows:

The outer surface is thoroughly cleaned before treatment.
Then, tooth color is measured using a clean and white tooth as a parameter.
During laser application, the cheeks and lips should not come into contact with the teeth. For this reason, a piece called a retractor is placed in the mouth.
In order to prevent damage to the gums in the application, a gum barrier is applied to the gums.
Then, teeth whitening gel is applied to the tooth surface and laser application is performed to activate the gel.
The treatment is completed in about 15 minutes.

Home Teeth Whitening Treatment

Home teeth whitening treatment is a teeth whitening treatment where results can be seen in about two weeks. Unlike laser treatment, lower concentration gels are used in the home treatment method. If the instructions are followed, the desired whiteness can be achieved safely. The basic application stages of home teeth whitening treatment can be listed as follows:

In home teeth whitening treatment, the treatment is initiated by taking dental impressions to create a plaque that will fit perfectly in the patient’s mouth and protect the gums.
The average preparation time of the trays is 3 – 4 days. After the trays are prepared, the patient is given the trays together with the teeth whitening set and the instructions are explained.
Before teeth whitening, daily oral care should be performed.
After dental care, whitening gel should be squeezed into the prepared plaque and placed in the mouth as the doctor will explain in detail.
The gel should stay in the mouth for 1 to 8 hours. How long it will stay in the mouth depends on the gel used. You will be informed in detail on this subject.
After waiting for the specified time, the plaque should be removed and the gel residues should be cleaned from the teeth.
Finally, the teeth whitening application should be completed by washing the mouth with plenty of water.

Home teeth whitening treatment is a treatment method that gives effective results. However, in order to achieve an effective result, it should not be forgotten that the application must be carried out in accordance with the procedure within the specified application period.

What Should Be Considered After Teeth Whitening?

The things to be considered after teeth whitening treatment are important to increase the duration of teeth whitening and thus to get effective results from the treatment. In this context, important issues can be listed as follows:

It is necessary to take a break from eating and drinking for two hours after teeth whitening treatment.
For the first three days after teeth whitening treatment, you should avoid consuming foods and drinks that give color. Carbonated drinks, fruit juices, coffee and cigarettes are examples of colorants.
In the first three days after teeth whitening treatment, it is necessary to avoid very hot and cold consumption. In this process, teeth are sensitive and not paying attention can increase sensitivity.
In order to see the results of teeth whitening treatment for a long time, you need to take care of your oral care.

Curiosities in Teeth Whitening

There are many different questions about what is curious about teeth whitening treatment. The most curious questions and answers regarding the treatment can be listed as follows:

The first question about teeth whitening treatment is whether the treatment damages the teeth. In the researches conducted, there is no evidence that the treatment causes permanent damage.
Another issue that needs to be addressed is whether dental treatment will give the same result in every patient. The results of the treatment will not be the same for everyone. The structure of the tooth can change the results of the treatment.
The side effects of the treatment are one of the most curious topics regarding the treatment. The only side effect of teeth whitening treatment is that it causes short-term sensitivity in the teeth. Sensitivity can be seen more or less. It goes away spontaneously within 2 – 4 days on average. If the sensitivity persists, the teeth whitening application can be terminated. Listening to your dentist’s recommendations regarding the process reduces the sensitivity problem.

How Long Does the Effect of Teeth Whitening Treatment Last?

The duration of the effect of teeth whitening treatment varies from person to person. There are some parameters that determine the duration of the treatment results. These parameters can be listed as follows:

Tooth structure of the treated patient
Current state of oral and dental health of the treated patient
Whether the specialist’s recommendations are followed during and after the treatment process

To make a general determination, the results of teeth whitening treatment continue for a period of 6 months to 2 years in the light of these parameters.

Teeth Whitening Prices

It is not possible to give clear information about the prices of teeth whitening treatment. However, the issues that determine the prices can be listed as follows: