How does this treatment work?
The whitening treatment consists of the application of a gel on the front part of the tooth. This gel contains hydrogen or carbamide peroxide which penetrates the enamel and reaches the second layer of the tooth, the dentin, which is what gives it its color. Once there, it breaks down the dark pigments to lighten the tooth.
There are two methods of applying the gel. The first is a controlled treatment in the dental office that consists of cycles of 15 to 20 minutes and that can last about an hour.
The second method is also controlled by the dentist, but applied at home by the user himself. For the latter, the patient is made custom-made sleeves to wear in front of the tooth, as well as the previously selected material. The patient will need to apply it repeatedly for several days and attend the corresponding control appointments.
Advantages of teeth whitening
- Eliminates dental stains, product of bad oral hygiene habits such as smoking, stomach reflux and aging, among others.
- A more aesthetic and natural smile, since the teeth will be whiter and more luminous.
- Preserves oral health, since well-assisted dental whitening does not damage tooth enamel.
- No side effects. It is recommended for any patient who wants to whiten their smile.
- It's painless.
- Obviously, we are talking about professional whitening, carried out by an expert in dentistry.
What is the importance of treatment supervision by a dentist?
Today it is common to find patients with eroded teeth due to acidic diets, such as excessive consumption of soft drinks or alcohol, and natural citrus drinks. It is also associated with conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux that are deposited in the oral cavity and cause problems in the structure of the enamel. In special cases, it is also linked to pathologies such as bulimia or anorexia.
In the same way, in cases where the person has a single gray tooth, it may respond to some condition at the nerve level. In that case, it requires a special diagnosis and a specific treatment, different from whitening.
Another consideration to take into account is that the product has a caustic effect on the oral mucosa. For this reason, the application of the product must be very precise to avoid contact with soft tissues such as the gums.
Since the effect of the product in relation to oral cancer is unknown, if the patient presents any type of suspicious lesion, it must be previously determined in a comprehensive diagnosis with a view to treatment.
In all these cases and due to the mechanism of action of the active product for whitening, its inappropriate application is potentially harmful to the teeth and health in general.
For these reasons, the professional plays a key role in the proper and safe procedure of dental whitening treatment.
Whitening is a treatment that in recent decades has significantly increased its popularity among people. Which leads to massive growth in the product offer commercially in different media such as advertisements and direct sales in shopping centers.
This has led to the user having direct access and without a recommendation from a dentist. Many times, this circumstance may not meet the user's expectations or put her health at risk.
In the opinion and recommendation of Dr. Vargas, dental whitening treatment should be applied after a diagnosis to rule out conditions that do not necessarily cause pain in the patient. Such is the case with gum disease, cavities, maladjusted restorations, problems in the nerve of the tooth and even oral cancer.
Is the procedure painful?
In many cases, sensitivity tends to be a side effect of teeth whitening. This can be of a mild to moderate intensity, giving a sensation of intermittent discomfort in different teeth.
However, Dr. Vargas recommends a previous and individualized treatment protocol for each patient in order to reduce and control this sensitivity.
What is your success rate?
Definitely, dental whitening treatment is a safe procedure and the success of dental whitening depends on its correct diagnosis by the professional, to establish a treatment plan and correct the different pigmentations of the tooth.
How long does this treatment last?
The effect of whitening will depend on the care, habits and lifestyle of the person in terms of their diet. In order to lengthen the clearance time, the patient should avoid foods with artificial colors, soft drinks, red wine, tobacco, tea and coffee, among others.
In turn, special toothpastes can be recommended and treatments can be developed with periodic application covers to reinforce whitening.
