Teeth Whitening

What is Teeth Whitening?

In today’s society, aesthetics are highly valued and, as such, in recent years patients have increasingly come to us with the desire to achieve a healthy, harmonious and beautiful smile. Colour is one of the most easily discernible elements that can be easily changed using teeth whitening.

Teeth whitening is a simple, non-invasive procedure that lightens the colour of natural teeth through a process of oxidation of tooth pigments, whereby the whitening agent/gel enters the surface of the tooth and releases molecules that cause the pigment to discolour, making the teeth lighter.

The whitening agent consists of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide and does not cause any changes to the enamel.

Before having your teeth whitened, a clinical and radiographic assessment of your dental and periodontal condition must be carried out, and there may be a need for dental treatments prior to whitening.

When carried out with the assistance of a dentist specialised in the area, this is a safe, effective treatment that can be adapted to the expectations and conditions of each patient.

It should also be noted that the whitening gel only works on natural teeth, so if there are previous restorations, crowns, bridges or veneers, these treatments may have to be replaced after whitening.

Factors that cause colour changes in teeth

The colour of natural teeth can be affected by various factors.
Surface stains / discolourations (called extrinsic stains) are mainly caused by the consumption of coffee, tea, soft drinks and red wine. Smoking habits or poor oral hygiene can also cause teeth to darken.

Internal stains (called intrinsic stains) can be caused by treatment with tetracyclines (antibiotics) during tooth formation; by darkening of the teeth as part of the ageing process; by excessive fluoride intake during tooth formation (from birth to 16 years of age), which gives teeth a whitish stained appearance; or by trauma to the tooth.

Identifying the cause of tooth darkening is essential in order to identify the most appropriate technique for each case.

Types of Teeth Whitening

Outpatient Whitening

At-home whitening, where the patient comfortably applies a whitening gel to a tray tailored to the patient’s mouth. It should be used every day or every other day for 7 to 15 days, leading to very long-lasting results.

In-office Whitening

In just one appointment, a gel with a higher concentration is applied directly to the surface of the tooth for a period of approximately 1 hour. In this type of whitening, the active ingredient of the product is combined with the properties of LED or laser light, achieving visible results on the spot. It is the ideal treatment for patients who want immediate results.