If the shape of the teeth is good but their colour is bad, the most suitable procedure is teeth whitening. Teeth whitening is different from teeth cleaning. The teeth are first cleaned of deposits such as stones and plaque and any stains are removed (such as those caused by smoking). The colour that emerges after this process is the tooth's own colour and cannot be lightened by cleaning. At this stage, teeth whitening is required.
How are teeth whitened?
There are mainly two methods;
Office Type Whitening:
After the teeth are completely cleaned and cleaned of stains, a special gel is applied on the teeth and treated with a special light for about 20 minutes. Sometimes the result is obtained in a single session, sometimes several sessions may be needed.
Home Whitening:
A transparent plaque is prepared for the upper and lower jaw teeth by taking impressions from the teeth. A gel is given to the patient and this gel is applied into the plaques and applied to the teeth before going to bed at night. In other words, the whitening work is done while sleeping at night. Depending on the situation, the time to get results from the treatment varies.
How Many Tones Does the Colour Lighten?
Depending on the situation and case, bleaching up to 7-8 tones is observed.
Do Fillings and Porcelains Also Whiten?
The gels used are only effective on natural teeth. If there are fillings or veneers that need to be replaced in the mouth, the colour should be bleached first, then they should be replaced according to the new colour.
Is bleaching permanent?
Teeth do not return to their old colour after whitening. However, depending on the eating and drinking habits of the person, a return at different rates may occur within 2 years. In this case, the procedure can be supported with home whitening.
Are there any side effects?
Whitening procedures are proven to be safe as long as they are applied by professionals. Some sensitivity may be observed during and after the procedure, but it disappears completely within 12-24 hours.
Can it be used in everyone?
It is not recommended for pregnant women and nursing mothers due to the lack of research. It is also not recommended in cases of tooth decay, deep cracks or fractures, as the teeth will be adversely affected.
What should be considered after bleaching?
After the procedure, the invisible dentin canals of the teeth are very open to discolouration. Therefore, the patient is advised to avoid colouring foods and beverages such as tea, coffee, red wine in the first 48 hours.
