There are many dental whitening systems on the market which, for simplicity’s sake can be divided into two large families: those on sale in pharmacies and the professional type, usable only in the dentist’s surgery.
The former contain whitening agent concentrations which cannot damage oral tissues, yet are less efficacious. The others, those available only for use at the dentist’s surgery, produce surprising results and no damage, if applied by experts.
Is dental whitening safe?
Certainly. It has been demonstrated, by clinical studies over many years, that when effected under the supervision of your dentist, it’s safe and efficacious. The main compound in whitening systems is carbamide peroxide, a substance which can be used safely.
How does it work?
During application the carbamide peroxide breaks down and the oxygen penetrates the enamel and the dentin, activating the whitening action.
The structure of the your teeth is unchanged. The colour of your teeth is simply whitened.
After a check up of the patient, and verified the feasibility of this treatment, the therapy begins with an oral hygiene session. This brings about total removal of dental plaque and tartar from the dental surfaces and heals the gingival tissue, which would otherwise be damaged by a whitening treatment on unhealthy tissue.
Then precautions are taken to isolate the field of application of the whitening substance which is then applied to the external surfaces of the teeth. After about half an hour, with simultaneous exposure to a specific light which activates the whitening agent, the gel is removed and the therapy terminated.
Patients are invited to abstain from consuming highly pigmenting food and drink (red wine, coffee, tea) and from smoking for several hours after the treatments.
How long does it take?
Results can often be seen after the first session. The natural whiteness of your teeth is often restored after the second session.
We will explain in detail what you can expect from treatment in your case.
Are there side effects?
During the therapy period, a limited number of patients may note increased sensitivity to heat and cold. This mild symptom can be treated with an anti-inflammatory recommended by the dentist. The sensitivity normally disappears within 48 hours of completion of the procedure.
How long does the whitening effect last?
The duration of the effects of the treatment depends, essentially, on the patient. Good daily oral hygiene habits and extra care after consuming foods and drinks which stain may render the treatment definitive or last for many years.
It cannot be stated with certainty how often a new whitening treatment may be required. This is because there are variables without number which modify dental pigmentation, ranging from diet to the patients’ habits (smoking, coffee, wine), to home dental hygiene and the characteristics of the patients’ teeth and saliva.
What difference is there between professional whitening and the products sold in pharmacies?
First of all the percentage concentration and thus the degree of danger and of efficacy of the product used. The results obtainable using OTC whitening systems take much longer and constancy of treatment which cannot be compared to those offered by a dental surgery. If 14 to 21 days of applications are required for domestic treatments (for at least an hour a day), at our surgery, with 3 – 4 one hour sessions, we obtain distinctly better results which last longer over time than DIY techniques. Don’t forget that no everybody can use whitening agents as they are highly damaging substances which can cause irreversible injury if used with a prior specialist check up. |
