WHITENING

How many types of teeth whitening methods are there? There are 5 different methods of teeth whitening.

Home Teeth Whitening

In-Office Teeth Whitening (Whitening in a clinical setting)

Single Tooth Whitening (Internal whitening for teeth with root canal treatment)

Combination Teeth Whitening (Combining home and office-based whitening)

Zoom Whitening (Whitening in a clinical setting)

Which type of teeth whitening method is suitable for me? If your teeth are already close to white and you want them to lighten by a few shades, laser or home-based whitening may be sufficient. However, if your teeth are significantly discolored due to factors like smoking, coffee, or tea stains, the most effective and efficient method for you might be a combination whitening treatment. To determine the most suitable teeth whitening method for you, it's essential to have a consultation with a dentist.

What is Zoom teeth whitening? Zoom teeth whitening is a teeth whitening system performed in a clinical setting using a special blue LED developed by Philips.

How is Zoom whitening applied? Zoom teeth whitening is a "combination" teeth whitening system that starts in a clinical setting and continues at home. The teeth to be whitened are isolated using the apparatus included in the system. The Philips blue LED system provides a 45-minute clinical zoom whitening treatment in three sets of 15 minutes each. Then, dental impressions are taken, and whitening trays, whitening gel, and desensitizing gels are provided to the patient for at-home treatment.

How is home-based teeth whitening done? Custom whitening trays are prepared by taking an impression of the mouth. A specific amount of whitening gel (usually containing 10-15% carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) is applied inside these trays.

How long does home-based teeth whitening take? The trays should be worn for a minimum of 4-6 hours during the day, for an average of 10-15 days, or overnight for 8-10 days, depending on the treatment plan.

How much gel should I put in the tray? In home-based teeth whitening, it's important not to overapply the gel in the tray. Excess gel spilling from the tray can irritate the gums. If this happens, rinse the gums immediately, apply a cream containing vitamin E to the irritated area, and consult your dentist.

What is in-office teeth whitening? In-office teeth whitening is a teeth whitening method performed within a dental clinic. It is suitable for individuals with time constraints as the application time is shorter compared to other methods. The dentist applies a whitening gel to the teeth, which is activated using UV light or lasers, and the whitening process takes approximately 1 hour. It is also known as "laser teeth whitening."

What is combination teeth whitening? Combination teeth whitening involves the application of both in-office and home-based teeth whitening methods. The in-office treatment is followed by 2-3 days of at-home whitening to enhance the results.

I have teeth sensitivity; can I still get whitening? Biological teeth whitening can be applied to individuals with teeth sensitivity. The substance causing sensitivity in teeth whitening is hydrogen peroxide. In biological teeth whitening gels, the concentration of this substance is very low, and sensitivity is treated by the presence of enamel crystals in the gel.

What should I be aware of after my teeth have been whitened? After teeth whitening, especially during the first two weeks, it's important to avoid colored beverages like tea, coffee, wine, cola, and tobacco products. Otherwise, the effect of whitening may diminish prematurely.

What is single tooth whitening (internal whitening)? This method is applied to teeth that have changed color after root canal treatment. The filling is removed from the tooth, a whitening gel is applied to the exposed area, and the tooth is temporarily filled. Sessions are repeated every 3 days until the desired color is achieved.

Is there any harm to the tooth with internal whitening? If the root canal filling is well-isolated, there is usually no harm to the tooth.

Are there any risks or side effects of teeth whitening? Teeth whitening methods can cause minor sensitivity in teeth, which may manifest as sensitivity to air, hot-cold foods, and beverages. This is a normal and expected side effect, and it generally subsides within 24-48 hours. If you experience any unexpected issues, it's important to consult your dentist.

What are the reasons for tooth discoloration? Lifelong physiological discoloration

Discoloration occurring after amalgam fillings

Antibiotic use during infancy

Antibiotic use during pregnancy

Changes in tooth color from inside the tooth due to root canal treatment

Surface discoloration of teeth due to the use of beverages like coffee, tea, tobacco, red wine, and prolonged use of mouth rinses

Discoloration caused by bleeding inside the tooth as a result of trauma

How do teeth become white? Teeth whitening is a process that involves removing colored organic and inorganic substances that have accumulated in the porous enamel and dentin structure of teeth using teeth whitening gels.

How long does it take for teeth to whiten? The time it takes for teeth to whiten varies from person to person. On average, the whitening process takes about 2-3 weeks. Discoloration caused by antibiotic use can be more challenging to whiten and may require a longer period to achieve results.

Should I clean the whitening tray? Yes, the whitening tray should be cleaned. After use, rinse the trays with cold water and liquid soap, thoroughly rinse them, and store them in the provided tray case.

Is the effect of teeth whitening permanent? The whitening effect gradually fades over time. This duration varies depending on factors like the consumption of colored liquids (tea, coffee, wine, cola, etc.) and smoking. It typically lasts between 6 months and 1 year. With maintenance sessions every 4-6 months, the whitening effect can be made more permanent.

What precautions should I take while whitening my teeth? During and after the whitening process, it's important to avoid colored liquids like tea, coffee, wine, cola, tobacco products, and acidic beverages for at least 2 days. Using these substances can reverse the effects of the treatment.

What is laser teeth whitening? Laser teeth whitening is a method used to activate whitening agents applied to the enamel surfaces, speeding up the process.