Teeth whitening is a procedure that brings beauty standards to life and gives a beautiful smile and self-confidence. A beautiful smile gives the impression of a successful and modern person. Since teeth have to deal with many natural and artificial dyes every day, they tend to change color. Enamel loses its natural transparency and luster. The change in shade, as well as the structure of the tooth, can also be affected by trauma.
Professional whitening is the whitening of enamel, carried out using a special gel applied to the teeth and then activated by a whitening lamp. There are also different methods, among which laser whitening and photobleaching are especially popular. To whiten your teeth and become the owner of a beautiful smile, contact Starrett City Dental — professionals with extensive experience working here focused on getting results.
There are four types, each of which has its characteristics:
Chemical bleaching is a dental procedure involving medications that change the shade of tooth enamel. Enamel lightening occurs by the oxidation of pigments in dentin, and the chemical bleaching procedure requires prior preparation of the teeth. To begin with, it is necessary to cure teeth from caries and carry out professional cleaning of teeth and oral cavities. Also, the dentist applies a gel (liquid rubber dam) to the gum, which will protect against possible contact of the active substance with the mucous membrane.
A whitening gel is applied to the prepared teeth, which begins to work under a catalyst – ultraviolet or laser radiation. This is necessary to speed up the whitening process.
The result of chemical bleaching will remain for a long time following the dentist’s recommendations. At first, it is recommended to give up coffee, tea, fruit juices, and foods that can stain the enamel. Smokers should refrain from cigarettes.
Laser teeth whitening is a method of changing enamel color using a special gel and laser. A special gel with carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth prepared and cleaned after professional cleaning, which is activated for a certain time by acting with a laser. After teeth whitening, you can see a significant difference in the color of tooth enamel.
Laser whitening is allowed only on healthy teeth, without caries, chips, and cracks.
Photobleaching is a professional teeth whitening method that involves lightening the enamel by more than 5-10 tones. The procedure is carried out under the influence of the light of a special lamp, which affects the penetration of the gel. To prolong the effect of whitening, it is recommended to refuse dishes with coloring components, wine, and tobacco.
Home whitening differs from professional methods, primarily because it is done outside the dental office. But at the same time, teeth whitening preparations are prescribed by a doctor only after consultation and examination of the patient.
Depending on the condition of the teeth, the initial shade, and indications, the dentist recommends a special kit with gel, mouthguard, and storage container. The schedule for the procedures and the concentration of the agent are determined by the doctor individually, taking into account the enamel’s initial color and the teeth’ sensitivity.
Teeth whitening services take place in several stages. During the initial visit to the clinic, the dentist conducts a detailed examination and determines the clinical situation. Also, the dentist will choose the most effective and harmless way to whiten your teeth at this stage.
In the presence of caries, cracks, and chips on the tooth’s surface, problem areas are treated. Also, ultrasonic cleaning and remineralization of teeth before whitening are carried out – strengthening and restoring tooth enamel with special means. The teeth whitening procedure usually takes less than 1 hour.
After whitening, the dentist recommends caring for your teeth in the first weeks after the procedure and the future. To maintain the effect, the doctor recommends which some foods should be discarded.
Teeth whitening in dentistry, like any other procedure, has a number of advantages and disadvantages. Before deciding on whitening, it is recommended to get acquainted with the main features of the procedure and find out the indications and contraindications.
A snow-white smile looks attractive and allows you to smile widely without discomfort. If you follow the basic recommendations of the dentist, then you will be able to enjoy a snow-white smile for a long time.
Sensitivity during bleaching can occur due to potent percentage concentrations or overdrying of the enamel. To do this, each tooth is isolated during whitening; there may be slight discomfort for 10-15 minutes. This system has a therapeutic drug, PH-booster, which eliminates this discomfort. It evens out the pH, and the sensitivity goes away.
It is impossible to program the exact color of the teeth after whitening, but one can guess the result based on the experience of the hygienist. The color primarily depends on the age, quality of the enamel, and the patient’s diet.
There is a stereotype about the dangers of teeth whitening. This is because the compounds that make up some whitening gels have an acidic pH. The Zoom system managed to change this pH to the alkaline side. That is, the damage to the enamel, which causes an acidic environment, was leveled and reduced to zero by changing the pH of the active substance of the gel. In all the years we have been working with this system, no destructive effect from whitening has been observed on the teeth.
The main contraindications are pregnancy, breastfeeding, age up to 16 years (when the enamel is not yet formed), oncology, treatment with photosensitive drugs (when exposure to the sun is contraindicated), the presence of restorations and crowns on the anterior group of teeth. Whitening only affects the natural enamel of the tooth.
To keep your teeth white as long as possible after the procedure, you should responsibly prepare for whitening. Treat caries, and remove hard plaque. Before carrying out teeth whitening, it is necessary to carry out professional hygiene to clean the surface of the tooth and eliminate inflammation of the gums. You may need a fluoridation procedure; this will significantly strengthen the enamel.
It is worth noting that artificial materials cannot be bleached, so fillings and crowns will have to be replaced in the future since their color will remain the same. If you planned prosthetics or filling replacements, carrying them out a couple of weeks after teeth whitening is better.
Tooth sensitivity varies from person to person. During teeth whitening under the influence of a lamp, the gel heats up; the patient may experience unpleasant sensations or even backache in the teeth. The procedure is stopped with severe discomfort, and the enamel is treated with a special compound to reduce sensitivity.
During whitening, the tooth enamel does not deteriorate or grind off. However, the gel penetrates through the pores to the dentin, into which many nerve endings exit.
Some patients report increased teeth sensitivity after the procedure, especially to acidic, hot, or cold food and drinks. With age, the number of microcracks on the teeth increases, and therefore the procedure may become less pleasant.
Within 48 hours after teeth whitening, it is recommended to limit yourself to such products: coffee, tea, red wine, cola, berries, various sauces, reconciliation, and carrots. It’s best to quit smoking forever. For oral hygiene, use special toothpaste for sensitive teeth, which does not contain abrasive components.
In addition, after the whitening procedure at the dentist, you should adhere to the following rules daily:
The darker the original shade of the teeth, the more stable the whitening result will be. You may need several procedures at once for a truly snow-white Hollywood smile. In some patients, the teeth do not return to their previous shade, remaining white all their lives. Regular hygienic cleanings in the dentist’s office will prolong the effect of teeth whitening as much as possible and give you a beautiful and healthy smile.
There are many ways to get rid of plaque at home; advertisements of various gels and strips promise a snow-white smile after the first application, and whitening pastes are just at the peak of popularity. However, teeth whitening outside the walls of dentistry is only temporary and may not give any results.
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