With the growing emphasis on beauty perception today, one of the most commonly used aesthetic procedures is teeth whitening. The teeth whitening procedure performed by our expert dentists at Doka Klinik is also known as Bleaching. Teeth whitening is a color-lightening procedure carried out on yellowed teeth using Hydrogen Peroxide or similar substances. The substances applied to the teeth release oxygen, and as the oxygen separates, the color of the tooth becomes lighter as well. Teeth whitening (teeth whitening) procedures are mostly applied to make the teeth of people with brown, gray, and yellow teeth appear whiter.
Preparation Stages for Teeth Whitening
For the whitening procedure, an experienced and expert dentist in the field should first be researched. By making an appointment with our expert doctors at Doka Klinik Oral and Dental Polyclinic, especially from Bursa, Nilüfer and its districts, you can start with the preparation stages of the teeth whitening procedure. Before starting the teeth whitening procedure, tooth decay must first be treated. The reason for this is that the whitening material can pass through the decayed areas and reach the inner parts. If whitening is performed without treating the decay, sensitivity and pain may occur in the teeth. Another preparation step is treating the enamel layer of the teeth. The reason for this is that teeth without an enamel layer expose the gums.
Teeth Whitening Treatments
Teeth whitening treatments, which vary according to the tooth structure and the patient's wishes, are applied in five different ways. These treatments are;
- At-Home Teeth Whitening
- In-Office Teeth Whitening (Whitening at the clinic)
- Single Tooth Whitening (Internal whitening of teeth that have undergone root canal treatment)
- Combined Teeth Whitening (At-home and in-office whitening)
- Zoom Whitening (Whitening at the clinic)
Among the treatments listed above, the most commonly used types are at-home whitening and in-office whitening.
In-Office Whitening
This treatment type is the most effective method among whitening procedures. Since the whitening agents used during in-office whitening treatment have a higher peroxide content, whitening is faster and longer-lasting. For a more effective whitening, tartar cleaning must definitely be performed before starting the teeth whitening procedure. In-office whitening usually consists of 2 or 3 sessions. However, this number of sessions will vary depending on the discoloration of the tooth. Before the procedure, the gums are covered with a protective gel to prevent damage, and the gel used for whitening is applied to the teeth. At intervals of approximately 15 minutes, the whitening gel is applied to the teeth again 2 or 3 times. During the in-office whitening treatment, it is necessary to avoid products such as tea, coffee, alcohol, and cigarettes.
At-Home Whitening
In at-home whitening, as in the other application, a transparent tray suitable for the patient's tooth structure is produced according to the impression taken after determining the tooth shade. In this treatment process, a whitening agent containing less Carbamide Peroxide is used. The transparent tray and whitening material prepared before treatment are placed in a tube and given to the patient, and the specialist doctor explains how it should be used. The patient uses the prepared medication 2 times a day for 2 weeks, or only before going to bed at night, for 1 or 2 weeks.
Stages of Teeth Whitening Treatment
Teeth whitening treatment progresses through several stages. When all stages are carefully applied in order, achieving healthy and white teeth becomes much easier. The stages of teeth whitening treatment are;
1) Teeth Cleaning
Before the whitening procedure, tartar, calculus, and stains on the teeth are cleaned through teeth cleaning.
2) Shade Determination and Photography
The shade of the cleaned teeth is measured with a shade guide and photographed. The reason for this is to see how significant the difference is after the whitening procedure.
3) Taking Protective Measures
The doctor performing the whitening procedure places a retractor in the patient's mouth. Thanks to this piece, contact of the cheeks and lips with the teeth is prevented.
Gum Barrier
It is applied to the gums during the procedure and prevents the whitening gel from damaging the gums.
4) Use of Whitening Gel
The teeth whitening gel is applied to all visible surfaces of all teeth without leaving any gaps. When applying, care should be taken that the gel is neither too thick nor too thin.
5) Whitening Process
The teeth whitening procedure is started with the appropriate treatment.
How Long Does the Teeth Whitening Procedure Take
The duration of the teeth whitening procedure varies from person to person and according to the color of the teeth. On average, the whitening process takes between 2 and 3 weeks. Treating gray discoloration caused by antibiotic use is more difficult than yellow discoloration and the whitening period is longer. In our Doka Klinik Oral and Dental Health Polyclinic, after our specialist doctors decide on how many weeks of treatment will be applied, the whitening procedure is carried out in sessions. These sessions last approximately 30-60 minutes.
Who Cannot Undergo Teeth Whitening
Although teeth whitening is a harmless procedure, applying it to some patients may cause certain issues. Teeth whitening is not applied to;
- Patients under 16 years of age
- Pregnant women
- Patients with very sensitive teeth
- Patients with gum disease
- Patients allergic to whitening agents
Things to Consider Before Whitening
There are some details that the specialist doctor should pay attention to for the treatment to be applied. Before the teeth whitening procedure, also known as bleaching, the following points should be considered;
- The doctor performing the procedure should assess whether the tooth structure and enamel are healthy.
- The patient should be asked whether there are any other treatments on the teeth such as crowns, fillings, or root canal treatment.
- It should be examined whether there is tooth sensitivity or root exposure in the neck areas of the teeth.
- The patient's daily habits of smoking, alcohol, and coffee consumption should be learned.
Things to Consider After Teeth Whitening
After the whitening procedure, there are some products that should be considered to make the whiteness last longer. After the procedure, the patient should avoid extremely cold and extremely hot foods and drinks for a few days. Products containing coloring agents should not be consumed. The first 3 days after the procedure are very important, and the teeth are very sensitive during this time. After whitening, care should be taken with the foods consumed for 1 week or 10 days.
Things to consider after teeth whitening;
- Tea
- Coffee
- Wine
- Fruit Juice
- Tomato Paste
- Dark-Colored Drinks
- Red Meat
- Soy Sauce
- Chocolate
- Dark-Colored Foods
- Colored Toothpastes
- Staining Lipsticks
How Long Do Whitened Teeth Stay White
After the teeth whitening procedure, the duration of whiteness varies from person to person. In people who follow the diet list given after the procedure and protect their teeth from prohibited foods, whiteness lasts for 3-4 years, while in those who are not careful, whiteness lasts for at least 3 months. In people who consume a lot of tea, wine, coffee, and cigarettes, the lifespan of whiteness is much shorter. To preserve the whiteness of the teeth, dental check-ups should be done at 6-month intervals before they return to their previous color. If deemed necessary, repeating the procedure once every 6 months or once a year will extend the lifespan of the whiteness much more.
Whitening Gels and Strips Used in Teeth Whitening
Whitening gels are transparent gels containing peroxide that the patient applies to the tooth surfaces at home. They are usually applied 2 times a day for 14 days. Whitening strips, on the other hand, are transparent strips coated with peroxide-containing gel that the patient uses by sticking them onto the teeth. In both whitening methods, a noticeable difference appears within the first few days, while the final result emerges at the end of an average of 4 months. However, the whitening gel and strips used in teeth whitening must definitely be used under the supervision of an expert doctor.
For more information, call our Bursa Doka Klinik Oral and Dental Polyclinic right away and we will answer all your questions.
Doka Klinik Dental Team
This article is for information only; please consult our dentists for a treatment plan tailored to you.
