Teeth whitening – a snow-white smile in just minutes
Many of us dream of a beautiful and white smile. However, the natural colors of the enamel may vary, and over time our teeth may become discolored, which affects the overall aesthetics of the smile and our self-confidence. These problems are met with effective dental solutions in the form of teeth whitening methods that allow us to achieve a snow-white smile. At Warsaw Dental Academy , our experienced specialists use proprietary whitening methods based on their many years of clinical experience. In the article below, we will familiarize you with the topic of teeth whitening, presenting the entire procedure and all information related to it.
Natural enamel color
The natural enamel of permanent teeth does not have one specific color. This color depends on our genes, as well as many other factors, such as age, diet and lifestyle. Generally speaking, natural enamel can range from white, through cream, gray-yellow to slightly gray-blue. The shape and color of the enamel is an individual feature of each of us – just like the fingerprints.
Causes of tooth discoloration
Tooth discoloration can have both internal and external causes.
Internal factors
- Age: Over the years, enamel naturally loses its whiteness and becomes more transparent, exposing the dentin layer, which is darker.
- Genetics: Our genetics influence the natural color of our teeth.
- Diseases: Some diseases and medications (such as hypo/hyperthyroidism, fluorosis or tetracyclines administered under 8 years of age) may cause discoloration.
External factors
- Diet: Consuming drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking cigarettes cause discoloration, giving the effect of yellow teeth.
- Oral hygiene: Neglecting oral hygiene leads to the accumulation of plaque and teeth discoloration.
- Injuries: Injuries to the teeth can cause changes in the color of the teeth.
- Root canal treated teeth : Due to the removal of the infected tooth pulp during endodontic treatment and depriving it of access to essential nutrients, root canal treated teeth darken.
The influence of color on the aesthetics of a smile
The color of your teeth has a huge impact on the aesthetics of your smile. White teeth are associated with youth, health and attractiveness. An aesthetic smile can increase self-confidence and positively impact our social relationships. That’s why many people decide to whiten their teeth to achieve the desired effect.
The difference in whitening vital and non-vital teeth
Before we decide to whiten our teeth, it is worth understanding the difference between vital and non-vital teeth. Vital teeth are those that have not undergone root canal treatment or been damaged by trauma. Dead teeth, on the other hand, are those that have been treated endodontically and after trauma. Such teeth, due to the loss of blood supply, require a slightly different approach to changing their color.
Whitening of non-vital teeth
Whitening non-vital teeth is more complicated than whitening vital teeth. In this case, a whitening insert is used, which is placed in the chamber of the tooth undergoing root canal treatment. The whitening process for non-vital teeth requires several replacement visits and a controlled whitening process. This is a more advanced procedure that must be performed by an experienced specialist. Currently, due to the high risk of cervical resorption and subsequent tooth loss, the recommended solution is to use a prosthetic crown, which, thanks to its opaque nature, will cover the tooth crown, causing a change in its color.
Methods of whitening vital teeth
Whitening of vital teeth can be done in two ways: in the dentist’s office and at home using overlays.
Office method:
The in-office whitening method involves the procedure being performed by a professional. This is a more effective method because it uses a preparation with a higher concentration of bleaching agent and is activated with the Beyond lamp, which gives an immediate effect after the treatment.
Splint method:
The splint method involves wearing individually made splints on the teeth, to which the patient applies the whitening gel by himself. Due to the fact that the above-mentioned gels contain a much lower concentration of active substance compared to preparations used in the office method, this method is less effective and requires a longer use to achieve the desired effect. Due to the fact that it is used individually by the patient at home, it is not controlled by a specialist, which, if used incorrectly, may lead to undesirable side effects.
Check-up visit to the dentist
Before the whitening treatment, we recommend a short check-up with one of our doctors to determine the presence/absence of contraindications to the whitening treatment. This is an extremely important part before the procedure, allowing you to avoid side effects. The doctor assesses, among others: hygiene, presence of caries, cervical lesions or leaking fillings. It also informs about the presence of fillings in the anterior section that may require replacement after the whitening procedure – which is due to the fact that only natural tooth tissues change color after the procedure, and the current composite fillings will remain in their original shade.
Hygenization
In order for the whitening treatment to be effective, it must be carried out with excellent oral hygiene. In the presence of plaque and deposits in the form of tartar, the preparation used during the whitening procedure will not be able to reach all areas of the enamel, which will result in an uneven improvement of the color on its surface and, in short, the formation of stains. Therefore, we recommend all our patients to undergo a professional hygiene visit, which will precede the whitening treatment and will significantly increase its effectiveness.
Teeth whitening visit – course of the procedure
The whitening procedure begins by informing the patient about the procedure. Our specialist describes step by step what the procedure will look like. Then, using a shade guide, the initial shade of the teeth is determined, as well as the expected final effect, which depends on the original color of the enamel. After this part of the treatment, our professional applies a special protective preparation to the gums to isolate them from the whitening gel that will be applied to the teeth. This is due to the fact that the active substance of the whitening agent irritates the gums and may cause their inflammation and hypersensitivity. After applying the gel, the doctor/hygienist places a specialized Beyond lamp on the patient’s teeth, which activates the substances thanks to UV rays, making it work faster and more effectively. While the lamp is on, our patients can relax in the chair. For example, watching your favorite series on the TV mounted on the ceiling. After the procedure is completed, the whitening gel applied on teeth is removed and the effect is assessed. Our patients are informed about the recommendations that should be followed for a few days after the procedure to ensure the long-lasting effect.
Advantages of teeth whitening at the Warsaw Dental Academy
When you go to Warsaw Dental Academy for teeth whitening , you can count on many benefits. Our dental office is characterized by experienced specialists who use specialized whitening methods based on many years of experience. Whitening in our office using a gel from the renowned brands and a specialized Beyond UV lamp gives immediate results. Thanks to this, you can enjoy a snow-white smile without side effects after just one visit!
Potential side effects
Teeth whitening is a relatively safe procedure, but it may be associated with some side effects, such as tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. However, modern whitening methods that we use at Warsaw Dental Academy minimize this risk as much as possible. Post-treatment hypersensitivity may persist for a maximum of two days, during which time we recommend using appropriate tooth pastes that effectively eliminate it. Thanks to the use of protective preparations for the gums, the risk of theri irritation is very low.
Indications and contraindications to the procedure
Teeth whitening treatment is usually recommended to people who have healthy teeth and want to improve their color. However, there are some contraindications, such as pregnancy, lactation, gum disease and hypersensitivity to bleaches, which may exclude the patient from this type of treatment. Therefore, it is important to consult with our experienced doctors before undergoing a whitening treatment.
White diet
After the bleaching, it is recommended to follow the so-called “white diet”. This means avoiding products that may cause discoloration, such as: coffee, tea, red wine, beets, and smoking. Following a white diet helps maintain the whitening effect for a longer period of time. In the case of in-office whitening, the duration of the white diet is much shorter compared to splint method and lasts only 5 days, while in the case of the second method it is about 3 weeks (two weeks of using splints and a week after their last use).
Long-lasting effect
How long the teeth whitening effect lasts depends on many factors, including the patient’s lifestyle and diet. However, with proper care and following a white diet, the whitening effect may last for at least a year.
Whitening before prosthetic reconstructions
If you are planning on prosthetic restorations, such as crowns or veneers, it is worth considering teeth whitening before starting the process. Whitened teeth allow for a more accurate match of the color of new prosthetic works to the fresh, whitened color of teeth. This is a very important aspect of anterior reconstructions, because reconstructions made of porcelain do not change their color.
Why is it worth choosing a whitening procedure at Warsaw Dental Academy?
It is worth choosing Warsaw Dental Academy because our dental office is a place where experienced specialists use original whitening methods based on many years of experience. Our services enjoy high patient satisfaction, and the effects of the treatments are visible immediately after completion. There is an atmosphere of trust and professionalism in our office, which makes patients feel comfortable and safe.
Visit us
If you dream of a white Hollywood smile, Warsaw Dental Academy is a place that will not disappoint you. Our specialists will be happy to answer all your questions and suggest the most appropriate method of teeth whitening. Make friends with a beautiful smile and visit our office. We are ready to make your dreams of white teeth come true!
Take care of your health and beauty with specialists from the Warsaw Dental Academy – an office where your snow-white smile becomes a reality.
