Today, with the trends in aesthetics and beauty, people are showing interest in teeth whitening methods to reduce discoloration in their smiles and achieve whiter teeth. Teeth whitening is a commonly performed cosmetic procedure in dentistry that helps improve the aesthetic appearance of patients while requiring expertise and experience to achieve reliable and effective results.
What Does Teeth Whitening Mean?
Teeth whitening (bleaching) aims to remove discoloration, stains, or yellowing from the surface of the teeth using various chemical agents. This process whitens only the tooth surface without affecting the dentin layer beneath the enamel. Dentists offer various teeth whitening methods and products to provide customized solutions that meet the needs of their patients.
How Does the Teeth Whitening Process Work?
The teeth whitening procedure is a cosmetic dental treatment aimed at reducing discoloration, stains, or yellowing on the teeth and achieving a whiter smile. This procedure involves treating the tooth surface with whitening agents to restore the natural whiteness of the teeth or to achieve the desired level of whiteness. Teeth whitening can be performed in two main methods: office-type whitening conducted by dentists in a clinic, or home-type whitening that patients can apply themselves.
Office-Type Whitening:
Office-type teeth whitening is a method performed in the dentist's clinic that yields quick results. The procedure works as follows:
Initial Examination: The dentist conducts a detailed examination to assess the patient's tooth structure and color. The dentist determines the cause of the discoloration and discusses the desired level of whiteness with the patient.
Protective Gel Application: Before starting the whitening procedure, the dentist applies a special gel to protect the patient’s gums and surrounding tissues.
Whitening Gel Application: The whitening gel is applied to the tooth surface and activated for a specific period. This gel contains peroxide-based agents that help lighten the color of the teeth.
Activation with Light: In some cases, the whitening gel is activated using a special whitening lamp or laser light. This accelerates the whitening process and ensures more effective results.
Final Check: After the whitening process, the dentist examines the patient's teeth to ensure the desired level of whiteness has been achieved and may repeat the procedure if necessary.
Home-Type Whitening:
The dentist evaluates the patient's tooth structure and color to decide if home-type whitening is suitable.
Home-type teeth whitening is a method recommended by the dentist that the patient can apply at home. The procedure works as follows:
Custom Tray and Gel Prescription: The dentist prescribes a special whitening tray and gel tailored to the patient's oral structure.
Application Instructions: Patients follow the dentist's instructions to apply the whitening gel to the tray at specified times and wear it on their teeth.
Duration of Treatment: Home-type whitening generally lasts for several weeks, but effective results are achieved with regular use.
In both methods, the teeth whitening procedure should be performed under the control and supervision of the dentist. Additionally, it is important for patients to follow the dentist's recommendations to maintain the whiteness of their teeth after the whitening procedure. When combined with regular dental cleaning and care, teeth whitening can provide long-lasting and satisfying results.