Teeth whitening at home.

Teeth whitening is a term you've probably all heard of. This treatment is one of the secrets to the dazzling smiles we see in Hollywood, unless of course they're veneers (waxes) from figure eight to figure eight.

Bright and healthy teeth are the most important part of the first impression you make on people around you. The brighter your teeth are, the better your impression will be. You can have the finest suit on you and the best heels, but if your smile doesn't radiate flawless whiteness – it all falls flat.

White teeth are a timeless trend and a symbol of health and beauty. Teeth whitening is one of the most popular and frequently used methods for an instantly dazzling smile. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are many questions and misconceptions about teeth whitening .

The causes of tooth discoloration are diverse and complex, and are classified as intrinsic and extrinsic. Extrinsic discolorations are caused by food and drinks (coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, red wine, etc.). In most cases, such discolorations can be removed by professional teeth cleaning in the office. Smoking also changes the color of teeth, as does inadequate oral hygiene, so patients should be explained and shown how to brush their teeth properly and how to use additional products to maintain oral hygiene. The most common causes of intrinsic pigmentation are avital teeth, dental trauma, tetracycline antibiotics, systemic diseases (erythroblastosis fetalis), and developmental disorders of the teeth - amelogenesis imperfecta, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and dental fluorosis. For whitening to be effective, it is important to know the cause of the discoloration in order to choose the most appropriate whitening technique.

The reason for the change in the color of the teeth is also the physiological aging of the teeth. The tooth enamel wears down and thins with age. Therefore, the inner hard tissue of the tooth, dentin, which is darker and yellower than the enamel, begins to appear. As a result, the teeth lose some of their whiteness. The whiteness of the teeth is not hereditary.

The most common questions surrounding this topic are, which method is the best, how long does it last, is it painful, what are the side effects, how long does the whiteness last, and how much does it cost?

There are various whitening techniques, from those performed in the office to those performed at home. Taking into account the origin of the discoloration, the condition of the oral cavity, indications and contraindications, the doctor of dental medicine chooses the most suitable whitening technique in consultation with the patient.

Teeth whitening can be achieved by mechanical removal of discolorations or by chemical reaction. The chemical reaction oxidizes pigments on the tooth surface or pigments embedded in hard dental tissues, thus splitting large colored molecules that reflect visible wavelength light into smaller, uncolored ones that reflect light in the invisible part of the spectrum.

Teeth whitening methods:

• Laser in the office
• With a lamp in the office
• Home whitening

Whitening includes a laser, an LED lamp or a home splint, a protective gel, a whitening gel and a paste with protective flora. The procedure itself is very simple: the patient sits comfortably in a chair, a protective gel is applied to the gums, and a whitening gel is applied to the teeth. Then the laser is passed over the teeth so that the laser beam activates the whitening agent or the LED lamp is directed at the teeth. It can be repeated in cycles. Everything is removed and repeated again. Each lamp has its own gel and its own protocol, as well as each laser, so there is no discussion about this, it all depends on the manufacturer and its instructions. A gel with 25-40% hydrogen peroxide can be used with or without a lamp, as well as with or without a laser. The home splint is worn for about 7 days for 4 hours, whether it will be night or day, it doesn't matter. You whiten your teeth to the color you want or can achieve. You may wear it for 4 days or maybe 14 days. Each tooth reacts differently. You have beautiful reactions and some that are not beautiful. You will never know if you don't try it. If you have never tried whitening, our recommendation is to do it with a lower concentration and with home whitening, and then if you are not satisfied, move on to stronger concentrations and a lamp or laser anyway. Listen to your experienced dentist. Some concentrations are already banned in the world and some lamps are also not a game, so you need a really experienced dentist.

For best results, we recommend a combination of laser or lamp and home whitening.

The most common pain that occurs is when the gums are accidentally covered with gel during in-office whitening. Namely, the function of the protective gel that is placed on the gums is exactly that: protecting the gums. When the gums are protected properly, there is no pain. Sometimes it is possible to feel a slight tingling through the teeth, but this is not an unpleasant sensation and in that case the whitening should be stopped or the cycles should be shortened. Materials to reduce hypersensitivity can be placed in the splint between whitening treatments or can be included in the whitening material. The patient may also be advised to wear the splint every other day.

Proper teeth whitening is usually painless. A small number of people, most often those with damaged enamel, may experience sensitivity and mild, occasional soreness in the first 12-24 hours after whitening. In any case, this is not permanent or worrisome.

The enamel is responsible for the white shine of teeth, and with wear it becomes thinner, which is why the darker color of the dentin comes to the fore. Dentin cannot be whitened, only enamel can.

The active ingredient in the whitening gel is hydrogen peroxide, which has natural whitening properties and is intensified by light. The light causes minimal heating, which is usually the cause of discomfort. With lasers, this type of discomfort is less, and with home whitening, it is even less. In some cases, teeth become temporarily sensitive to cold during and after whitening.

For some, the maximum effect is achieved in one visit, while for others, bleaching needs to be repeated several more times, through "in office" or "home" bleaching. Also, the cause of tooth discoloration plays a big role in the whole story.

LASER TEETH WHITENING

EPIC™ 10 from the American company Biolase is the only diode laser that has three unique operating modes, allowing for soft tissue surgery, whitening, and pain relief. Laser whitening can change the color of teeth by 4-6 shades, takes 20 seconds per quadrant, and can be repeated in 2 cycles per visit, and tooth sensitivity is the same as with any bleach of a certain concentration.

TEETH WHITENING WITH LED LAMP

Zoom WhiteSpeed is an innovative and effective professional teeth whitening system from Dutch manufacturer Philips that uses the most advanced LED light technology.

The Zoom lamp emits an optimal level of light with a significantly higher intensity level than other LED lamps on the market, which is why it is banned in some countries. 

The light activates a photocatalyst within the gel that accelerates and enhances whitening results, allowing for excellent results.

The treatment itself takes 20 minutes per cycle, with a maximum of two per visit, and the effects of teeth whitening can last up to three years. However, this varies from person to person and depends largely on lifestyle habits.

TEETH WHITENING AT HOME

This is a slower and gentler, but also more affordable method of whitening. It is performed with individually made splints and a gel that is applied to these splints. These splints need to be worn every day or night for several hours. The results are usually visible after a few days. Teeth whitening is a current aesthetic trend that lightens the existing color of the teeth. "Take-home" is an effective and simple whitening technique. The most commonly used and best material is 10-16% carbamide peroxide. Its concentration can be gradually increased to avoid side effects, the most common of which are tooth sensitivity and gingival irritation. The whitening procedure usually lasts 10-14 days per jaw. The higher the concentration of carbamide peroxide, the shorter the splint is worn, and the greater the likelihood of side effects, which the patient should be informed about in advance. The manufacturer of the whitening material states in the instructions for use that a 10% carbamide peroxide tray should be worn for 8-10 hours or overnight, a 16% gel for 4-6 hours, a 20% gel for 2-4 hours, and a 35% gel for 30 minutes. Most often, the base color of the tooth can be lightened by 1-2 shades. Also, higher concentrations of the gel can be selectively used for individual teeth that are darker within the dental arch.

What is important to know before whitening?

Before treatment, it is necessary to let our doctors know if you have extremely sensitive teeth, so that they can adjust the treatment.

If you have crowns or veneers on your teeth, their color will not change with whitening.

Also, before treatment, it is necessary to clean tartar from the surface of the teeth and clean the teeth.

The color of the filling can be adjusted after bleaching by making a new filling of the appropriate color. The new filling should be made 10-14 days after bleaching.

Contraindications include stains that can be removed by brushing, white spots, extensive enamel loss, caries, pulp and periodontal inflammation, inadequate root canal filling, large fillings, amalgam screening, pregnancy and breastfeeding, allergies to any of the ingredients in the whitening material, high patient hypersensitivity and uncooperativeness. Bleaching is not recommended for patients with periodontitis, nor for those with receding gums and exposed tooth necks, as hypersensitivity may occur due to exposure of the root surface.

What is important to know after whitening?

The effect will most likely last shorter if you smoke or consume pigmented foods and drinks (e.g. coffee, red wine, tea, dark juices), so you should avoid them for at least one day after treatment.

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IMPORTANT!

A non-invasive , safe and painless method of correcting tooth color. 

It is carried out by a doctor or staff trained for it with the permission and examination of a doctor.

Before the procedure, it is imperative to clean the tartar and polish the teeth.

All teeth on which whitening is applied must be rehabilitated.

Each method has a different intensity and so do all whitening gels.

The method of choice should be the professional decision of your dentist.

No method whitens fillings, crowns, veneers, tooth dentin... only enamel.

If you don't have enamel, you can't even whiten your teeth.

After the procedure, the use of fluoride-based toothpaste is mandatory. 

Forbidden for pregnant women.

Do not consume pigmented foods, drinks, or cigarettes for at least that day.

Not for children under 16 and not without parental consent.

The results of one treatment last up to two years, depending on the consumption of pigmented foods and drinks.

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Whitening at home is carried out in five steps :

1. The patient must brush their teeth with a neutral-colored toothbrush and toothpaste. 

2. The splint into which the gel is applied using the applicator must be clean and dry. The gel is applied in small amounts (1 – 2 mm) to the central part of the inner wall of the splint that abuts the vestibular surface of the tooth. 

3. The splint is placed in the oral cavity and worn overnight. If too much material is placed in the splint and leaks onto the gums, the excess is removed with cotton wool or cotton gauze. 

4. After removing the splint, the teeth are brushed again. 

5. The splint should be washed with a brush and warm water, dried and stored in a box to avoid possible damage. It is recommended to give the patient written instructions upon leaving the office. 

After whitening, the patient should not consume foods or drinks that may stain the teeth. 

FROM THE PHARMACY!

Whitening toothpastes are among the most widely available products, accounting for 50% of over-the-counter products. They rarely contain active whitening agents, such as carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Instead, they contain highly abrasive substances, such as aluminum oxide, dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, and silica. These substances do not whiten teeth, but only remove surface stains, and if their abrasiveness is too high, enamel and dentin can wear away. Research shows that no whitening toothpaste is as effective as in-office whitening and take-home techniques.

Whitening strips, whitening pens, LED light whitening with peroxide-free gels, and various over-the-counter methods are low-concentration and less effective than any in-office method.