Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening or bleaching is the most conservative and cost-effective method to update your smile, making it very popular. Although the exact color change after whitening cannot be predicted - since it depends on how teeth react to the bleaching gel - the result is always impressive. The duration of the outcome, which depends on dietary habits and oral hygiene, is estimated around 2 years. Smokers and people who consume large amounts of coffee or tea may experience a color turn earlier. Although, even after relapse, teeth are still whiter than before bleaching.

Teeth whitening is performed at the following cases:

• For a quick smile makeover before social events like a wedding, New Year’s Eve or parties.
• On naturally discolored teeth
• On superficial or intrinsic tooth stains.
• On tooth stains due to antibiotics e.g. tetracycline
• On tooth stains due to excessive fluoride uptake (fluorosis)
• For stained teeth because of smoking or coffee consumption
• For tooth discolorations after trauma, pulp necrosis or root canal treatment
• In adjacent teeth prior to placement of a prosthetic restoration e.g. bridge or veneers

At Smiles Dental Clinic teeth whitening is performed with 5 different techniques, depending on the origin of teeth stains and on the expected outcome.

Microabrasion

Microabrasion is performed in cases when a minimum color change is desired or when teeth are mainly discolored because of extrinsic stains. Microabrasion is performed in combination with teeth cleaning and has amazing results for smokers or in cases of teeth with localized structure anomalies, for example white stains. Its duration depends solely upon the etiology of the removed stain and is completed in a single dental visit at Smiles Dental Clinic.

Home Whitening

Custom-made trays for upper and lower teeth are filled with the bleaching gel and inserted into the mouth for 15 minutes per day, for 3 – 10 days. The concentration of the bleaching agent, the duration of the daily treatment and the duration of the therapy in total depends on each case. Since home whitening is performed without the supervision of the aesthetic dentist, the guidelines should be followed exactly in order to avoid misuse and side-effects. The first application is performed at Smiles Dental Clinic for demonstration purposes and in order to check the reaction of the teeth to the bleaching agent. Since impression taking is mandatory in order to prepare the trays, 2 visits should be planned.

LED Teeth Whitening
In this case, since whitening is supervised by the aesthetic dentist, the stronger and most effective bleaching agent can be used, but within safe limits. Gel is activated with LED light in order to get its maximum results. The procedure involves 2-3 applications of bleaching gel, each lasting 15-20 minutes, performed at the same appointment in Smiles Dental Clinic. In few cases, when teeth are extremely discolored, the procedure is repeated after 3-4 days. However, lighting trays can be stored for later use, making teeth-whitening more affordable.

Power Bleaching

This combination of office whitening with LED activation and home whitening with trays for 3-7 days offer the best results and the greatest duration. Two visits should be performed in order for the teeth to be impressed and trays to be manufactured.

Endobleaching

It is performed on discolored teeth after a root canal treatment or after tooth trauma. Since the concentration of the applied gel is lower for safety reasons, 2-3 visits at Smiles Dental Clinic within 2 weeks should be considered for a visible color change. It usually doesn’t need renewal because the color doesn’t relapse.

All bleaching agents used in Smiles Dental Clinic are CE approved and safe for teeth and gingiva. Always use your home whitening gels according to our directions.