Teeth whitening is an aesthetic procedure performed to lighten the color of the teeth and remove brown or yellow stains that occur on the tooth surfaces due to various reasons. Additionally, teeth whitening treatments can be used to mask the appearance of opaque white spots on tooth surfaces.
Before teeth whitening, a detailed oral examination must be conducted, and any existing cavities or gum problems must be treated. Teeth whitening treatments are categorized into two types: “in-office” and “at-home.”
In-office whitening procedures are carried out in a clinical setting by a dentist. After protecting the surrounding oral tissues, a whitening gel with bleaching properties is applied to the teeth. The procedure typically takes about an hour. If deemed necessary by the dentist, the number of sessions can be increased. In some cases, the procedure can be supported with laser technology.
At-home whitening involves the dentist taking an impression of your teeth to create custom-fit transparent trays. Following the usage instructions provided by the dentist, whitening gel is applied using these trays at regular intervals for a few weeks.
The effect of teeth whitening can last anywhere from a few months to three years. However, not following the dentist’s recommendations and frequent consumption of staining products like tea, coffee, or wine can shorten this duration. It is important to note that whitening only occurs on natural teeth; restorations such as fillings, crowns, or veneers do not whiten.
Teeth whitening treatments should always be performed by dentists. Procedures conducted at home with various products without professional supervision can lead to unwanted side effects such as pain, irritation, and inflammation in the teeth and gums.
