Whitening

What is Dental Bleaching?

One of the most important points for anyone who wants to have an aesthetic smile is the colour of their teeth. Sparkling white teeth emphasise both a healthy smile and self-confidence. Teeth have a colour that is genetically determined from birth. Just as people have different skin colours, tooth colour also varies from person to person. Brushing your teeth, cleaning them with dental floss and rinsing your mouth may be oral hygiene habits instilled in you since childhood; however, sometimes more than this is needed to achieve dazzlingly bright and white teeth. Excessive consumption of cigarettes, tea, and coffee, in particular, can cause your teeth to yellow and lose their natural whiteness, even beyond what standard tooth brushing routines can address. Teeth whitening, which comes into play at this very point, is known as one of the most effective solutions for yellowed teeth.

Dental Bleaching

What is Teeth Whitening? What are its Types?

Teeth whitening (bleaching) is a cosmetic dental procedure that removes stains and discolouration from teeth, making them one or more shades lighter. Because the effects of teeth whitening are visible immediately after the procedure, it is one of the most popular cosmetic dental treatments. Before examining the types of teeth whitening in detail and going into the specifics of how teeth whitening is performed, it is necessary to look at the reasons why you might need this procedure. At this point, it is necessary to address the answers to the question, ‘Why do teeth yellow?’ The main cause of yellowing teeth is ageing. Just as our hair turns grey as we age, our teeth also begin to yellow over time and lose their original whiteness. In teeth that yellow with age, it is not the outer part of the tooth, the enamel, that turns yellow, but rather the inner part, the dentine. As teeth repair themselves, new dentine becomes darker, the enamel weakens, and the acidic and sugary foods you consume cause teeth to yellow even earlier. The colour of the dentine becomes visible from under the enamel, like a prism, and the teeth thus appear yellow. Of course, there are other factors that cause teeth to yellow, regardless of age. Falling on a tooth or hitting a tooth, excessive exposure to fluoride, the use of silver-coloured fillings, excessive smoking, tea and coffee consumption, poor dental and oral hygiene, and, of course, genetic factors can cause teeth to yellow.

One of today’s aesthetic concerns is the colour of teeth. Who wouldn’t want whiter teeth? One of the primary requirements for individuals seeking teeth whitening is the absence of sensitivity to hot and cold. If the stains on the teeth are caused by medication use or are congenital, the results after whitening may not be as desired. Staining caused by diet (tea, cigarettes, coffee, chocolate, red drinks, etc.) can be effectively removed with teeth whitening. Contrary to popular belief, the whitening process does not affect the outer layer of the tooth, but rather the yellow layer inside the tooth (dentin). The whitening agents applied in the dentist’s office lighten the colour of the dentin inside the tooth. The outer layer of the tooth is colourless, like glass, and reflects the colour of this layer inside. Brushing to whiten teeth by abrasion is futile. It only removes surface stains. Whitening, on the other hand, whitens the yellow layer inside the tooth. There are three types of whitening:

Home Type Bleaching

Home bleaching is an option for people who want to whiten their teeth at home. This method is carried out using products such as toothpastes, gels or special teeth whitening trays. The whitening agents in these products lighten stains or discolouration on the teeth, making them appear whiter. However, home teeth whitening is less effective than professional whitening performed by a dentist and generally provides shorter-lasting results.

Office Type Bleaching

Office bleaching is a teeth whitening method performed by a dentist. This method involves the use of stronger whitening agents to clean stains and discolouration on teeth more thoroughly. The dentist controls the whitening agent applied to the teeth, determines an appropriate duration for the patient's teeth, and applies it safely. Office bleaching is faster and more effective than home teeth whitening and provides longer-lasting whiteness. Furthermore, as it is performed by a dentist, it is safer and more accurately applied. Therefore, if you wish to have your teeth professionally whitened, office bleaching may be a more suitable option for you.

Devital Bleaching

Devital bleaching is a method of whitening the colour of discoloured devitalised (dead) teeth. Devitalised teeth are teeth that require root canal treatment, and staining may occur on the teeth following this treatment. Devital bleaching is applied to remove these stains and restore the teeth to their original colour. This method is performed by a dentist and, as the root canal is usually open, it is easier to apply the bleaching agent inside the tooth. Devital bleaching will preserve the natural appearance of the teeth and give them a beautiful look.

Whitening must be repeated every six months or once a year. It is also supported by home-based whitening applied at home. Intermediate whitening can be performed at home every three months by applying drops of medication to a custom-made tray. If excessive sensitivity occurs during the procedure, it is discontinued. For whitening to be permanent, regular whitening must be performed for three years.

How White Will My Teeth Be After Teeth Whitening?

The degree to which teeth whiten varies from person to person, primarily depending on their initial colour. Yellow-toned teeth can easily whiten by 2-6 shades, whereas teeth with green or grey tones are more difficult to whiten.

How is Teeth Whitening Done?

Home teeth whitening; before starting the home teeth whitening process, impressions are taken of the mouth. The essence of this process lies in creating customised whitening trays based on these impressions. These trays, produced and prepared in a clinical setting, contain medically prescribed amounts of whitening gel. The whitening gel consists of between 10% and 15% carbamide peroxide. During home teeth whitening, this whitening tray is adjusted to be used for at least 4-6 hours during the day, and it is recommended that the tray be used regularly every day for 10-15 days. In this context, home teeth whitening takes approximately 2 weeks. The reason this procedure is called home teeth whitening is that it is essentially performed at home, without the patient needing to visit the dentist regularly. However, as the process is not constantly monitored by a dentist, there are some important points to note during home teeth whitening. Perhaps the most important of these points is to use the gel only in the amount specified by the dentist. If the whitening gel is used in higher amounts than recommended by the dentist, it can spill over the plaque and damage the gums. If this happens, the gums should be rinsed immediately and the dentist should be contacted for advice on a cream containing vitamin E. This cream will help repair the damaged areas of the gums.

Office-based teeth whitening; unlike home whitening, office-based teeth whitening is performed at a dentist’s clinic or surgery. Designed especially for busy patients who find it difficult to set aside time for teeth whitening, office-based whitening is known for providing effective whitening in a much shorter time compared to home whitening. Also known as laser teeth whitening, office-type teeth whitening begins after the whitening gel applied to the tooth surface is activated by laser. UV light can also be used in conjunction with laser for laser-assisted teeth whitening. After this whitening process, which takes approximately 1 hour, it is possible to achieve results in a very short time, within 2 weeks. Laser teeth whitening, also known as in-office teeth whitening, is based on the principle of activating the whitening agent applied to the surface of the tooth enamel with a laser. These lasers are devices that emit monochromatic light, which is single-coloured, intense, flat, and single-phase. As the visibility of these lasers is related to the wavelength, the wavelength and power may vary depending on the area of use. The electromagnetic waves generated by the laser gradually intensify and align, creating a cutting or burning effect on each tooth to be treated. It is precisely this high-energy light/beam that makes your teeth appear whiter and brighter once the treatment is complete.

Devital bleaching; single tooth whitening is usually applied to problematic teeth that are prone to discolouration before or after root canal treatment. Single tooth whitening is, of course, performed after root canal treatment is completed and the tooth has fully healed. First, the filling in the root canal is removed and whitening gel is applied to the opened cavity. The tooth is then covered with a temporary filling and the process is continued until the desired colour is achieved. The most important consideration in single tooth whitening is that the root canal filling is very well isolated. If the root canal treatment is well isolated, single tooth whitening poses no danger to the tooth; however, if the root canal treatment is not performed properly, the tooth whitening process can cause more harm than good to the tooth. Therefore, just as with tooth whitening methods, it is necessary to work only with specialist and professional teeth whitening dentists for dental procedures such as fillings or root canal treatments.

What Factors Affect Tooth Discolouration and Colour Change?

It is impossible for everyone to achieve flawless white teeth. Regardless of the teeth whitening technique used, each individual has their own unique tooth colour from birth. This is why the same result cannot be achieved in every patient after teeth whitening. In addition to individual tooth colour, there are external factors that cause discolouration of the teeth. These can be listed as follows:

Certain medications taken by the mother during pregnancy
Age-related physiological discolouration
Discolouration caused by amalgam
Certain antibiotics used during infancy
Tooth discolouration following root canal treatment
Tooth discolouration due to loss of vitality following trauma
Fluorosis caused by excessive fluoride intake may be cited as causes of tooth discolouration.

What Should Be Considered During Teeth Whitening?

There are certain precautions to be taken after the teeth whitening procedure to ensure its longevity. These have a significant impact on the procedure’s longevity. It is particularly important to avoid these for ten days after the procedure. We can summarise them as follows:

Isolation: After carefully protecting surrounding tissues such as the gums, tongue and lips, the whitening treatment should be performed. The concentration of the agent used and the duration of use must be correctly adjusted.
Sensitivity: Patients may sometimes experience mild sensitivity during or after the teeth whitening procedure. It is important that the steps required for the treatment are carried out completely and correctly.
Whitening agent quality: The quality of the whitening agent and the light used is important to avoid complaints after the procedure. For this reason, it is a procedure that should be performed under the supervision of a dentist at a reliable institution.

What Should You Pay Attention to After Teeth Whitening?

Foods and Beverages: After whitening, you should consume staining beverages (such as coffee, tea, wine) as little as possible at home, or dilute these foods with water or other clean beverages to reduce the effect of the staining agents on your teeth.
Smoking and Tobacco Use: Smoking and tobacco use can cause teeth staining and may reduce the results of whitening. Therefore, avoiding smoking and tobacco use can help maintain the results of whitening for a long time.
Personal Hygiene: Brushing your teeth daily after whitening, flossing, and seeing your dentist regularly will help maintain your teeth whitening results for a long time.
Avoid Excessively Abrasive Substances: Products such as excessively abrasive toothpastes, toothbrushes, or toothache remedies can reduce whitening results.

Does Teeth Whitening Harm Your Teeth?

What you need to know about teeth whitening: when applied to the right patient with the correct materials and techniques, it is absolutely harmless. By looking at the meaning of this sentence, we can determine in which circumstances teeth whitening is harmful. It is not suitable for people with defective enamel structure, chronic sensitivity problems, or exposed root surfaces. As stated in the leaflet of whitening gels approved by the Ministry of Health, it must be applied by a dentist. This prevents irreversible problems from occurring.

Can all types of teeth be whitened?

No. First, the cause, suitability for the system, and the individual’s expectations must be assessed. Previous treatments in the mouth (fillings, veneers) will not respond to this procedure, and results may not be achieved in certain tooth structures and types of discolouration. The dentist will plan the necessary diagnosis and treatment after a detailed examination. The answer to the question of whether everyone can have teeth whitening is the same.

I have fillings and veneers on my front teeth. Can I have them whitened?

No results can be achieved. Whitening agents are effective on organic tissues. They have no whitening effect on fillings and ceramic surfaces. Therefore, it is often preferred to apply ceramics and fillings after the initial whitening procedure. Your dentist will provide you with the most accurate information.

Does Teeth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?

Most office-type whitening systems cause sensitivity for 24 hours. The amount is not serious enough to reduce the person’s quality of life, but sensitivity is triggered by hot and cold foods. This is to be expected and is temporary. Sensitivity-reducing gel applied by your dentist after the procedure and, if necessary, sensitivity-reducing toothpastes can provide a solution. This effect is not seen in other controlled whitening systems. Sensitivity that does not go away may occur as a result of products purchased online without approval and control, requiring additional treatments for a solution.

How Long Does the Whitening Effect Last?

Everyone wants a beautiful smile and pearly white teeth that never fade. Personal dental care is just as important as dental factors. The lifespan of teeth whitened with agents varies depending on the dental care and cleaning performed before the whitening procedure. If the person continues with habits that cause discolouration, especially during the first week when extra care is required, the colour will return quickly. With good care and attention, whiteness has been observed to last for 1 year. The longevity of whitening can be extended by paying attention to oral care and avoiding colouring foods.

Who Should Not Undergo Whitening?

Whitening treatment is not performed on individuals with exposed roots or gum problems, as it is anticipated to cause damage.
It is not performed on individuals with severe tooth sensitivity or widespread decay.
It is not performed if there are fillings or other restorations on the front teeth that will not respond to whitening and will subsequently cause colour differences.
It is not performed on individuals who will continue to consume tea, coffee, coloured foods, or smoke cigarettes, especially during the first week after treatment. This significantly reduces the longevity of the whitening effect.
It is not performed on individuals with highly transparent tooth enamel, as the desired result cannot be achieved.
It is not performed on pregnant women.
It is not performed on individuals under the age of 15.

What is the cost of teeth whitening?

If you are considering teeth whitening and would like to learn more about teeth whitening prices, you have come to the right place. By contacting our clinic, you can find out about teeth whitening prices, discuss the details of the procedure with our specialist dentists, and get an idea of what to expect from the process. Those who have their teeth whitened at our clinic enjoy the privilege of experiencing the comfort and confidence of being in professional hands.

Kartal Teeth Whitening (Office Type)

Achieve a brighter smile with effective in-office whitening in a single session. We apply a personalised protocol based on the source of the stain and keep sensitivity under control. We provide short maintenance recommendations to preserve the results.

What is bleaching?

Coloured organic or inorganic substances occur in the tooth structure. The cosmetic method of removing these substances with whitening gels is called bleaching.

How Long Does Sensitivity Last After Teeth Whitening?

How long sensitivity will last after teeth whitening and whether food can be consumed without distinguishing between hot and cold are among the questions patients are most curious about. The sensitivity felt after treatment lasts an average of 24 hours.

Is Teeth Whitening Harmful?

Teeth may experience sensitivity after the whitening procedure. The degree of sensitivity varies from person to person. Some patients may experience significant sensitivity, while others may experience none at all. This is a normal and expected side effect and is completely temporary. Teeth sensitivity is expected to subside within 24 hours after the whitening procedure is completed. When performed under the supervision of a dentist, using professional gels, correct dosages and proper techniques, teeth whitening does not damage the teeth. However, as with anything, excessive use of whitening gel can cause wear on the teeth. It is important to have the procedure done under the supervision of a dentist and to follow the dentist’s recommendations.

Can People with Sensitive Teeth Have Their Teeth Whitened?

If you normally have excessive sensitivity, this problem should be resolved first before proceeding with teeth whitening; otherwise, the teeth whitening procedure may not be suitable for you.

How Does the Whitening Process Whiten Teeth?

Home teeth whitening methods use gels containing 15% carbamide peroxide. Contrary to popular belief, the teeth whitening process does not affect the outer layer of the tooth, but rather the inner layer called dentine. How does this effect occur? Our teeth have invisible pores called pores. The teeth whitening gel penetrates these pores and reaches the dentine layer, where the whitening process takes place.

Will my teeth be perfectly white after whitening? Will every tooth be white?

The structure and anatomical features of teeth vary from person to person. How white your teeth become depends on their initial colour and the factors causing the discolouration. Brown and yellow teeth yield better results. Teeth with grey tones may not achieve the expected whiteness. Results cannot be guaranteed. The initial colour of your teeth can be recorded using a scale or by taking a photograph.

Which Teeth Cannot Be Whitened?

Teeth whitening is not performed on pregnant women or children under the age of 16. In addition, whitening may not be effective in certain cases. For example, whitening may not be effective on teeth that have become grey due to antibiotic staining. If whitening is not effective, laminate veneers, also known as porcelain veneers, may be applied.

Can we achieve the same result with every tooth whitening treatment?

Discolouration occurring in the deeper layers of the tooth is more difficult to remove. The causes of this type of discolouration must be properly understood during the examination, and the whitening procedure must be carried out accordingly. While stains caused by habits such as tea, cigarettes, and coffee can be completely removed, discolouration occurring in the deeper layers may be difficult to make completely invisible.

Can I whiten my porcelain teeth?

All whitening agents affect the natural tooth structure. Therefore, there is no change to the porcelain.

White spots and white patches have appeared on my teeth after whitening. What can I do?

Some areas of the tooth may have decalcified spots, which can turn into white spots when bleached. There is no need to worry; they will return to normal after a while due to the effect of saliva.

How to Use the Whitening Plaque?

Spread the whitening gel in a thin line on the inner surface of the tray. Spread it lightly. There is no need to overfill it. We do not want it to overflow when placed in the mouth.

Which Toothpaste Whitens Teeth?

Whitening toothpastes contain abrasive particles. When brushed, they can create a whitening effect by removing stains from the tooth surface. However, prolonged continuous use can damage teeth. They can be used intermittently.

Can I whiten my teeth by mixing bicarbonate of soda, salt and vinegar?

We do not recommend such methods for teeth whitening. They may cause scratches on the tooth surface. Repeated use over a long period of time may cause irreversible damage to the enamel tissue.