Teeth whitening

Principle
The teeth whitening can be carried out by the dentist or at home. In both cases it is a question of lightening the color of the enamel and dentin thanks to a gel based on hydrogen peroxide (or hydrogen peroxide). The operation is painless.

At the dentist
The "chairside" whitening takes place in one or two sessions at the clinic. Once the gums are protected, a viscous gel with a high concentration of hydrogrene peroxide is applied to the teeth. The teeth are then exposed to the light of special lamps capable of accelerating the penetration effect of the whitening substance contained in the gel The procedure lasts from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the initial color of the teeth.

Professional whitening can also be done home. In this case, the dentist provides the patient with special customized masks that perfectly reproduce the shape of the arches. The patient will insert the right amount of gel with a high percentage of active ingredient inside the mask, and then apply it on the teeth.
The patient will have to wear the masks half an hour a day for 5/6 days.

See also

How to keep your teeth white?

How to remove tartar from teeth without going to the dentist

The advantages
The result of whitening is destined to last over time (4-5 years) even if the teeth tend to yellow if they are again exposed to smoke and coffee.
The disadvantages
The price varies from 400 to 1 200 €, depending on the number of sessions and the method used.

Do-it-yourself techniques
Disposable masks: hygienic, they are supplied with very practical to use single doses of gel.
The strips: are coated with whitening gel (but with a lower concentration than by the dentist) and are applied directly on the teeth.
The gel with brush: allows a "precise application of the product, for a" targeted use on some teeth or parts of the tooth.
These treatments should be used 1-2 times a day, for about 2 weeks.

The advantages
The price ranges from 15 to 60 €.
The disadvantages
The effects can be limited, and the return to the initial color occurs in a short time (6-12 months).

Please note:
- If the aligners do not correspond perfectly to the dental arches, the whitening product can penetrate the gum, irritating it - No whitening treatment, either at the dentist or at home, must be carried out without having performed a preliminary visit to exclude any contraindications to the treatment. In fact, whitening should only be done on healthy teeth and without gum inflammation.