Nowadays, appearance plays an important role in human relations. That's why some people will do anything to achieve a perfect smile, as a toothbrush and toothpaste aren't always enough.
Perfectly aligned, white teeth are the dream of most men and women in the world. This may lead most of us to experiment with certain "grandmotherly tricks", with the risk of damaging our gums. Some people buy dental whitening kits or resort to smile bars (specialized beauty salons offering teeth whitening sessions). Nevertheless, we should not be tempted by cheap products or services whose effectiveness is not known. So, entrusting your teeth to a dentist will avoid complications arising from the high dosage of the products used.
What is tooth whitening?
Certain factors, such as coffee, tobacco, and medication, alter the natural teeth whiteness. People with yellowed teeth sometimes turn to a dental doctor to restore their teeth's radiance. These dentists use various techniques to make teeth white and so attractive.
However, a good dental surgeon never proceeds with whitening until he is sure that the patient's mouth is in a good oral health condition. Sometimes, the patient suffers from tooth decay or gingivitis, so the dentist must treat these problems first.
In the case of decay, for example, hydrogen peroxide will penetrate the tooth right down to the pulp and may kill it. In the case of gingivitis, the dental whitening agent risks aggravating it. In fact, bleaching must be carried out in a healthy mouth, i.e. one that has been examined beforehand. It is therefore imperative to have it done in a dental office or clinic.
The different dental whitening techniques used in Turkey
Several tooth whitening techniques are used in some Turkish clinics and hospitals, such as:
Tooth scaling
This dental treatment is designed to eliminate tartar, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and bad breath. However, scaling alone is not enough to remedy the problem of yellowing, but, it's an essential step in treating dental and oral diseases before whitening.
The dental surgeon must first examine your mouth, and then proceed with scaling above the gum line. The techniques used for this are :
- Ultrasonic instruments;
- Periodontal curette technique.
Next, the dental surgeon will polish your teeth to smooth their surface and remove any remaining stains.
Laser tooth whitening
This technique involves applying a whitening gel to the teeth and activating it with a laser beam.
Before the procedure, the dentist must ensure that the patient is eligible for this treatment. Next, he will clean the teeth to remove all bacteria and food residues. He will then apply a protective cream for the mucous membranes and a mask to avoid contact with the dental whitening gel.
After, the dentist applies the gel, followed by the laser, which takes around 45 minutes. Sometimes, a home treatment is prescribed for a longer-lasting result.
Power Bleaching
This technique is also known as “tooth whitening lamps”. It is based on the same principle as laser tooth whitening, except that the rays used are those of blue light. This technique takes around 90 minutes.
Hollywood Smile for teeth whiteness
This technique is designed for people whose teeth cannot be whitened using previous methods. It uses ceramic veneers, identical to natural teeth, to improve the teeth appearance.
Before applying a Hollywood Smile veneer, the dentist must examine the patient's mouth. If the patient does not suffer from any dental or oral disease, the dentist just takes an impression of the mouth. The aim of this step is to create a veneer personalized to the patient for a natural result. Next, another appointment is scheduled with the patient to fit the Hollywood Smile veneer.
These veneers can last up to 10 years if the treatment preceding their fitting is carried out correctly.
Is tooth whitening suitable for everyone?
Only natural teeth can be whitened, not crowns or dental implants. If you have veneers, crowns, or a dental bridge, tooth whitening will only affect your natural teeth. However, ceramic or composite resin crowns will not have the same color as your teeth.
However, if your teeth are yellowish or brownish, with an even color, you're a perfect candidate for treatment. If your teeth are greyish, the whiteness achieved after treatment will not be very bright.
Teeth with transparent enamel (very thin outer dental layer) require special care. An overdose of lightening agent can increase enamel transparency, and teeth will appear to have darker contours. This appearance is due to the darkening of the mouth appearing through the transparent enamel, which is not very aesthetically pleasing.
For this reason, you should have your teeth whitened by a qualified dental practitioner.
Teeth whitening is also contraindicated for pregnant women and people suffering from serious illnesses.
