Teeth whitening is also known as bleaching. In its most basic definition, teeth whitening is a dental aesthetic procedure that aims to lighten the color of the teeth by one or more shades and eliminate stains and discolorations. Teeth whitening, which is among the most popular cosmetic dental procedures, creates a visible aesthetic difference.
Most of those who have teeth whitening apply this method as soon as they notice an obvious yellowing or discoloration in their teeth. At this point, before talking about teeth whitening methods, it is necessary to take a detailed look at why teeth turn yellow. So why do our teeth turn yellow? There can be many different reasons for this, but one of the main factors that cause yellowing of the teeth is excessive consumption of tea, coffee and cigarettes. Another root cause of yellowing of our teeth is actually aging. Just as hair turns white with age, teeth also have discoloration and turn yellow over time. The part of the teeth to turn yellow with age is not actually the enamel, but the dentin, which is further inside the tooth. Consuming sugary and acidic foods can cause teeth to turn yellow at an earlier age, so the food and nutrients consumed have an undeniable effect on teeth whitening. Excessive exposure to fluoride, tooth impact, the use of silver fillings and genetic factors are among the other factors that affect the yellowing of teeth.
Teeth whitening methods can differ according to the needs of the patient and can be performed with different methods. The best method of teeth whitening is the method that best suits the person’s tooth structure and the needs of the yellowed teeth. Basically, it is possible to list the most commonly used teeth whitening methods as follows:
Teeth whitening at home, as the name suggests, is a teeth whitening method applied completely at the patient’s home. During this method, the patient comes to the office of the dentist only once and continues the whitening application at home after obtaining the necessary materials and equipment. Before starting teeth whitening at home, dental impressions are taken at the dental clinic. The reason for this is that a teeth whitening tray will be produced according to these impressions. Teeth whitening trays produced in clinical laboratory environments contain a certain amount of whitening gel. After the tray is prepared, it is delivered to the patient and it is recommended to use it for at least 4-6 hours during the day. When used regularly, this will whiten the teeth and ensure that the person has whiter teeth at the end of the treatment. Teeth whitening at home takes an average of 2 weeks. The patient stops using trays after 2 weeks. It is recommended to wear these trays while sleeping to eat and speak, which is why in some sources, teeth whitening at home trays are also known as nighttime aligners.
The advantages of teeth whitening at home include not having to constantly visit the dental clinic and being able to use the trays at night.
Another teeth whitening method is office-type teeth whitening, i.e. laser teeth whitening. Unlike teeth whitening at home, office-type teeth whitening is performed entirely in the dental clinic, as the name suggests. The main factor used in teeth whitening is laser. We have stated that teeth whitening at home is a method that people who have a lot of time and do not have any urgency about teeth whitening may prefer. On the contrary, office-type teeth whitening is a procedure preferred by those who want to whiten their teeth as soon as possible. For example, brides-to-be who want to have whiter teeth before their wedding and shine on this big day can have laser teeth whitening a few days before their wedding.
During laser teeth whitening, a whitening gel, similar to the one used at home, is used on the tooth layer. Activating this gel and whitening the teeth is achieved with a laser. The gel, which is applied in the amount determined by your dentist, is activated by the laser and creates a certain reaction on the teeth, ensuring the teeth to whiten instantly. At this point, it is very important that the dentist who performs the teeth whitening application is an specialist and experienced dentist in the field because the use of the improper amount of gel or incomplete laser application may cause the teeth not to whiten at the desired level.
The whitening agents applied to the surface of the enamel is activated by the colored and single-phase monochromic beams emitted by the laser. The gel particles that interact with the laser show a rapid whitening effect on the enamel, whitening the teeth in 1 hour. One of the biggest advantages of laser-assisted, office-type teeth whitening is that it provides the patient with white and sparkling teeth in 1 hour. This method does not take weeks unlike the teeth whitening at home method, so it is possible to achieve the teeth of your dreams immediately. It is very important that the treatment is performed professionally in safe hands.
Another method used for teeth whitening is the combined teeth whitening method. In combined teeth whitening, home and office-type teeth whitening procedures are combined. The treatment is completed both in the dental clinic and at home with the use of trays.
This method, which is applied to teeth that have started to yellow after extensive decay or a long-term root canal treatment, is applied to teeth that are different in color from other teeth. The aim here is to make that single tooth, which the patient notices and disturbs them in terms of aesthetic appearance, a more natural and more appropriate color.
It is quite normal to feel a slight sensitivity after teeth whitening. During the procedure, the teeth are briefly exposed to dehydration, meaning that they do not get enough water. This affects the sensitivity of the nerves in the teeth to heat changes. The slight pain and discomfort you will feel after whitening will disappear within a few hours after the procedure. If you are whitening your teeth at home, it is very important that you follow your dentist’s instructions completely and use your nighttime aligners for the recommended amount of time. The only way to achieve the white teeth you want is to follow your dentist’s instructions completely.
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