The teeth whitening procedure eliminates the stains and discoloration of teeth. There are many reasons for discoloration of teeth – excessive tea and coffee consumption, poor oral hygiene, genetics, etc. Stained teeth can make you feel self-conscious about your smile and appearance.
The good news, however, is that teeth can be whitened at your nearest dental clinic. The in-office teeth whitening procedure is carried out by a professional dentist or orthodontist with specialized tools.
This is a very popular cosmetic treatment as it shows immediate results. The procedure is suggested to those who do not want any hassle of at-home whitening kits, bleaching gels, etc. It is extremely convenient for the patient and takes about 60-90 minutes long.
Let us see what exactly happens in a teeth-whitening procedure.
Teeth whitening procedure explained
The in-office teeth whitening treatment begins with recording the current shade of the patient’s teeth. Then the teeth are scrubbed and polished with pumice to remove any plaque on the surface. Gauze is then fitted in the mouth in order to keep the mouth dry as well as to keep the tongue, cheeks, lips, etc. away from the site of the procedure. It also safeguards the parts of the mouth from the whitening solution which could potentially damage them. A barrier is placed along the gum line for the same reason. The teeth are then coated with a whitening solution along the surface, typically a bleaching agent such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide.
After this step, generally, a laser is used to activate the peroxide in the solution. The solution is then left for 30 to 60 minutes or is applied depending on the category of the solution. As time passes, the whitening solution starts working its way, and gradually a difference is seen in the teeth colour. As soon as the desired shade is observed, the teeth are rinsed. The procedure ends here and a fluoride solution is often suggested for observed side effects like tooth sensitivity.
Advantages of teeth whitening
As it is a professional procedure, teeth whitening has several advantages. One of them is that the procedure shows immediate and quick results within a few hours. Also, the procedure is completely safe and harmless, apart from a few side effects, as it is carried out under skilled supervision.
The side effects are also easy to control. The peroxide solution used today is much thicker than previous ones, so there is less chance of it getting to sensitive areas of the mouth. Solutions like potassium nitrate and fluoride are used as desensitizers to calm down tooth sensitivity.
Disadvantages of teeth whitening
This procedure though convenient has its downsides. For example, the procedure is more expensive than at-home whitening, though the results more than make up for the price difference. Also, the results heavily depend on factors like age, gender, the intensity of staining, etc. This can make the results unpredictable and unreliable. One more drawback is that this procedure does not provide a permanent solution. After a few days of treatment, stains start accumulating on the teeth surface again.
Suitable candidates
This method is not suitable and suggested to everyone as it can damage the teeth if they are not in a good condition already. If a patient is prone to tooth sensitivity, this procedure is not recommended as this procedure can trigger hypersensitivity. The dentist may recommend such patients a home treatment with lower concentrations of carbamide peroxide, which is much less harmful than hydrogen peroxide.
Patients with too severe stains are also not good candidates for this procedure. Stains caused due to trauma, tetracycline antibiotic consumption, fluoride overexposure, etc. are not corrected through this procedure. Also, patients with thin and transparent teeth may not be suitable candidates either for teeth whitening.
However, patients who have stained teeth due to tobacco consumption, aging, consumption of certain food items, etc. are good candidates for the procedure.
Preparing the teeth
The first step is preparing the teeth. A prophylactic cleaning is performed to clear away plaque and debris that may have been accumulated on the teeth surface. The teeth are also thoroughly examined for any signs of tooth decay, gum disease, etc. because the bleaching agent in whitening solutions can harm the teeth if these conditions are present.
Lastly, photos and X-rays may be taken of the teeth to analyse and measure the colour on a shade guide.
Aftercare
To make the effects of the treatment last longer, patients are supposed to care for their teeth post-treatment. Regular dental appointments and using at-home whitening kits provided by the dentist ensure the effects of the treatment last longer.
Patients are also advised to avoid coloured foods a few days after the treatment because the teeth are sensitive to stains at this time. Items like tea, coffee, tobacco, etc. are some examples of food that can stain the teeth. Acidic foods like soda, pickles, carbonated drinks, etc. should also be avoided. The teeth are weakened due to the procedure and consumption of highly staining and acidic foods can damage the teeth and enamel to a great extent.
Along with that, hot and cold beverages and food items are also to be avoided because the teeth may be sensitive for a few days after the procedure.
Are there any side effects?
Teeth whitening is a procedure that provides satisfying results. However, it may have some minor side effects that you need to be aware of. Most of these side effects are temporary and will resolve within a day or two.
Patients report a heightened sense of sensitivity in teeth post-procedure. This is because hypersensitivity in teeth is triggered by this procedure. To avoid this, the patient should inform the dentist about sensitivity and soreness in teeth if any.
They also report feeling a tingling sensation in their teeth after the procedure. This is a side effect of the peroxide in the bleaching agent.
Another symptom is inflammation of teeth. This situation can worsen if there are cracks and breakage in teeth.
Throat pain and stomach ache can happen if the patient accidentally swallows the whitening solution.
These side effects typically disappear within 24 hours. If they prolong, the patient should inform the dentist.
