Ways to whiten teeth

Teeth whitening in clinic

The main benefit of teeth whitening in the dentist's office is a noticeable change in their color in a short period of time. The rules of the procedure include the use of a relatively high concentration of peroxide gel under the strict supervision of a doctor. The gel is applied to the teeth by a dentist or a trained specialist after the gums are protected by a special rubber plate, which is applied with a special brush. Basically, peroxide is left on the teeth several times for 15-20 minutes with an interval of one hour. People with very stubborn stains may be advised to repeat treatments or continue whitening at home.

Professional-selected home teeth whitening kits

Many dentists believe that professionally selected home teeth whitening kits can provide the best results over a long period of time. The kit includes an easy-to-use, less concentrated peroxide gel that is left on the teeth for an hour or longer (sometimes overnight). The lower the percentage of peroxide in the composition, the longer the gel can safely remain on the teeth. The gel is applied to the teeth using special plates fitted to the patient, which resemble mouthguards.

Teeth whitening at home without a dentist

The cheapest and most convenient way to whiten your teeth is with an over-the-counter whitening kit available at the drugstore, which features a gel that is less concentrated than professional home whiteners. The gel is applied to the teeth with a universal plate, whitening strips or with an applicator. In many cases, this will only whiten the front teeth, while doctor-fitted plates can whiten all teeth.

How to whiten teeth? Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide?

For teeth whitening at the dentist where time is limited, strong and fast-acting hydrogen peroxide is used. When whitening teeth, the concentration of hydrogen peroxide is between 9 and 40 percent.

But for home whitening of teeth, carbamide peroxide is used, which decomposes into hydrogen peroxide. Carbamide peroxide is about three times weaker than hydrogen peroxide. This means that a 15% solution of carbamide peroxide is approximately equal to a 5% solution of hydrogen peroxide.

Teeth whitening results are subjective and vary greatly from person to person. Many may be delighted with the results obtained, while others are upset. Before you decide on a whitening procedure, ask your dentist to present you with realistic results to expect and how long it will take. Expectations are very important in the teeth whitening process.

Teeth Shading Strips

Usually, dentists use special strips that help to see the difference in the color of the teeth before and after the bleaching procedure. They are also used to determine the shade of the teeth when choosing crowns and other restorative elements.

The standard pointer is the Vitapan Classic Shade Guide. It contains 16 shades systematically arranged from light to dark in 4 color groups and represents the standard terminology of tooth shades.