About tooth whitening
Objectives of tooth whitening
Tooth whitening is a technique using hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide-based products tolighten teeth and change their color for a natural, radiant smile.
Over time, many factors affect tooth color. These include age, genetics, the use of certain medications, certain beverages such as red wine, tea and coffee, and tobacco consumption, all of which alter the appearance and beauty of the smile.
Teeth turn yellow, gray or dark. Consuming this type of liquid causes teeth to become more yellow or brown.
Different tooth whitening methods exist and depending on the indication, our specialist will suggest the most suitable method.
There are several different tooth whitening techniques:
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Armchair whitening, which delivers immediate results, combines a hydrogen peroxide or carbamide gel with an LED lamp.
Ambulatory bleaching, in which custom-made trays are created and filled with a lower-dose peroxide, can be prescribed as a complement to chairside bleaching or on its own. The patient wears the trays for a few minutes to a few hours a day or overnight, depending on the type of peroxide used and the desired results. Treatment lasts a few weeks and results are progressive.
Finally, internal bleaching involves depositing a hydrogen peroxide-based product inside a devitalized tooth and leaving it to act for 24 to 48 hours, rarely longer. Two to three sessions are required to restore the tooth to its original color.
The degree of lightening varies from patient to patient, depending on tooth structure, extent, intensity and type of discoloration.
Who is tooth whitening intended for?
Tooth whitening is for people with stained, yellowed or devitalized teeth. It is essential before treatment with dental veneers to enhance your smile. To benefit from this treatment, you need to have healthy teeth and gums, good dental hygiene and, ideally, avoid smoking before starting treatment. Tooth whitening is not recommended for minors, pregnant or breast-feeding women.
An initial consultation with your specialist is essential to find out if this treatment is suitable for your particular situation.
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Procedure for tooth whitening
The treatment begins with an assessment of your dental condition, so that your dentist can check your general oral health and determine the cause of any stains on your teeth. Scaling is mandatory beforehand, and a session includes before and after photos and shade measurements, as well as explanations of the protocol. If teeth are sensitive to cold, they will first be desensitized by fluoridation.
Impressions will be taken during the initial consultation.
For chairside bleaching, the session consists of applying peroxide gel to the teeth. Once activated by the LED lamp, the product rapidly penetrates the enamel to interact with the coloring substances responsible for changing the color of dentin. Your dentist repeats the procedure between 1 and 4 times during the session. Each time, the gel is applied, photoactivated and removed. Each session lasts up to 60 minutes. Sometimes several sessions are required.
For outpatient tray whitening, your dentist takes an impression of your upper and lower jaws and has the trays made in just one hour. He then shows you how to apply the gel inside the tray. Trays are usually worn at night, and the length of treatment varies from patient to patient, depending on how your teeth react to the tooth whitening product.
Aftermath
Slight tingling may sometimes be felt immediately after the teeth whitening procedure, but this always dissipates.
Your dentist may recommend products to relieve sensitivities after treatment.
For the first 2 days after the treatment, you should avoid consuming any food or drink that could stain your teeth (coffee, tea, red wine, etc.), and refrain from smoking.
The results
The results of teeth whitening are visible immediately after the treatment. Teeth are whiter and stains have disappeared.
Results last an average of twelve to twenty-four months, depending on the patient’s oral hygiene and lifestyle habits.
The aim of this treatment is improvement, not perfection. If your expectations remain realistic, the obtained result should give you utmost satisfaction.
The art of tooth whitening at Laclinic
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Associated treatments
It makes sense to have an outpatient whitening treatment if you are already receiving orthodontic treatment with ALIGNERS.
All you have to do is apply the peroxide gel to your gutters in the evening, before bedtime. Results are progressive and depend on your ultimate goal.
dental hygiene and gum care
To restore impeccable oral health, Laclinic offers a complete protocol for rehabilitation of the oral sphere by a team of periodontics experts.
The complete treatment includes X-rays, pocket probing, deep scaling, polishing to remove stains and discoloration, examination of mucous membranes and teeth, and an occlusal examination. Depending on the case, root planing, bone filling or gingival grafting may also be performed.
