Just like everyone has a unique hair color, each person also has their own natural tooth color. External factors such as food staining or nicotine discoloration can often be removed with a professional dental cleaning followed by polishing. These procedures help the individual regain their original tooth color. However, if a person wishes to have teeth that are even whiter than their natural shade, a whitening procedure using special agents under the supervision of a dentist is required. After a whitening treatment, the teeth can become 2–3 shades whiter than their original color.
Teeth whitening treatments are applied to patients using two different methods. The first is the in-office whitening method performed by a dentist. In this technique, the gums are protected with a special gel, and the whitening agent is carefully applied to the tooth surface by the dentist. The desired results are usually achieved within about one hour. Depending on the whitening agent used, a laser light may sometimes be applied to activate the agent. Laser-assisted whitening can help accelerate the process.
The second method is the at-home whitening technique, which involves custom-made whitening trays. These trays are prepared based on a mold taken from the patient's mouth. The patient places the whitening gel inside the trays and wears them overnight. If deemed necessary by the dentist, these two methods can be combined. First, an in-office treatment is performed, followed by at-home whitening to maintain and prolong the results.
It is important to note that both methods should be performed meticulously and under dental supervision. When done correctly and with professional guidance, teeth whitening does not harm the teeth. The whitening agents used are tooth-friendly and consist of products that have been certified and approved for safety.
