What exactly is whitening?
It is a cosmetic procedure that restores the original uncoloured top layer (enamel) of the teeth. The principle of bleaching is through the active ingredient hydrogen peroxide. When activated, it instantly breaks down into water and oxygen radicals.
It is these oxygen radicals that penetrate the inside of the teeth. The pigments that have stained our teeth are found in the grooves of dentin and enamel. Once inside these tubules, oxygen radicals break the pigment molecules and through diffusion these molecules are drawn back out.
What are the types of teeth whitening?
There are two ways patients can get a whiter smile: professional in-office whitening or at-home whitening.
Of course - with both types of whitening, it is imperative to visit a dental professional who can guide you to the best actions and ways to get the smile you want.
Let's take a look at the home whitening method.
One option is with the use of whitening splints. These splints are individually made for you in a dental office to fit your exact shape and teeth. The principle of the splints is that they are filled with a liquid or gel containing the whitening ingredients, and sleeping with them is recommended to make them work at night.
It is necessary to apply the most balanced dose of peroxide preparations to get a faster and stronger whitening effect, but also to keep it healthy and prevent the teeth from becoming hypersensitive or over-dried. This is what is determined by the specialists in the field.
Another method of home whitening is through strips and various gels that are placed/applied on the teeth. Most products of this type work for about 20 minutes to an hour, depending on the intensity of the ingredients. Usually, the effect that is achieved through this method is visible after about 10 to 14 days.
In-office whitening by a dentist is the method that is recommended because of the professional steps and healthy for your teeth manipulations
In this method, the procedure is done entirely in the dentist's office - one visit lasts about an hour. It takes 1-2 visits to get the smile you want and to restore the shine of your teeth without having to damage the enamel or feel a more pronounced sensitivity, as is often the case with other methods that are done without a specialist.
The procedure is performed only in the dentist's office and within one or two visits, even a few hours, patients get the desired white colour of their teeth.
