What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth may turn darker over time, due to colored foods, smoking, tea and coffee habits or hereditary factors. Teeth-whitening is the process of converting such dark colors to lighter tones by certain methods. At the end of the process, the teeth turn whiter in a variety of shades, the number of which can be maximum 6 or 7. Since teeth-whitening is a procedure directly affecting the color of the tooth, it is commonly used in aesthetic dentistry.
How is the Teeth Whitening Procedure Performed?
Before the teeth whitening procedure, a general dental examination is performed to see if there are decays, cracks or fractures on the tooth surface. If there are any, they should be eliminated before the whitening procedure. The substances used during teeth whitening may enter such decayed, broken or cracked surfaces, causing sensitivity or pain. Before teeth whitening, tartar and plaque are cleaned up, if necessary, and then the gums are rested for 1 week. After this resting period, the teeth-whitening procedure is started. The whitening procedure can be performed on natural teeth, but not on dental prostheses. The gums are protected with a barrier and then a whitening agent is applied to the teeth. The whitening agent applied using special whitening devices equipped with LED light in contact with the teeth for a certain period of time depending on the lightening status of the teeth, and then the teeth are washed. Thus the whitening operation is completed. If deemed necessary according to the shade of the teeth, the procedure can be repeated in several sessions, or an additional at-home type whitening procedure can be performed. In at-home whitening, a transparent mouth tray is prepared in accordance with the size of the patient's teeth. The maintenance of the dental whitening process is completed by applying a domestic whitening agent into the mouth tray as described by the physician.
Why do different colors develop on teeth?
The color of the enamel layer of the tooth may turn darker while also showing various deformations due to the effect of incorrect tooth brushing habits and aging. Consumption of acidic beverages, frequency of coffee and tea intake, smoking habit, consumption of dyed foods, and long-term use of various medications play a quite important role in darkening of the teeth.
Who are suitable candidates for the teeth whitening procedure?
There are no age limits for teeth whitening. However, it may cause sensitivity in patients younger than 18 years of age, because the nerve layers of their teeth have a structure wider than normal. In addition, whitening procedure is not recommended for patients with dental prostheses, deep fillings in their teeth or deep enamel cracks in their anterior oral region.
