Bleeching and dental esthetics

For all the above mentioned reasons the procedures to whiten teeth have existed for ages. In the old days all kinds of abrasive substances were being used to eliminate spots and brighten up the color of the teeth. Nowadays we know that it is not recommendable to use just any product, seen the fact what we pretend is to whiten the teeth without jeopardizing the teeth themselves.

• ¿Why do teeth get darker?

  The color of the teeth depends on a persons’ DNA and the characteristics of each individual, which is why some people have very white teeth and others don’t. There are also other reasons that influence the color of the teeth. The most important reasons are:

  • Eating or drinking certain foods with coloring substances or liquids like red wine, herbal teas, coffee, tea and tobacco cause discoloring of the porcelain layer of the teeth.
  • Some medicines like tetracycline, chlorhexidine or fluoride can discolor the porcelain layer and the teeth themselves.
  • Due to aging the teeth become darker and the porcelain layer of the teeth becomes thinner, which causes them to become more yellowish.
  • Strong impacts can cause a hemorrhage in the interior dental structure and cause the teeth to turn grey or black.

• ¿How does teeth whitening work?

  The external part of the teeth, the porcelain layer, is colorless. The color of the teeth is determined by the color of the teeth that are under the porcelain layer. The whitening agents penetrate through the porcelain layer in order to whiten the teeth under it. It is very important that the whitening agents do not deteriorate the porcelain layer, because that would leave the teeth unprotected and with a dull appearance, without transparency and finally lifeless.

  The loss of color of the teeth can be classified by intensity gradations and the agent that caused the darkening of them. If the spots are superficial, like spots caused by nicotine for example they can be removed with a simple cleaning treatment. For more profound discoloring it is necessary to use specific whitening products.

  The substances that are being used nowadays are carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide in various concentrations and formulas. Both substances are being considered safe if the doses and the durations are correct and always under the supervision of a dentist. These products generate a chemical reaction which causes the teeth to whiten without affecting their structure. The whitening effect is permanent, although the teeth can get darker again after a certain time, because they are being subject again to the substances that darken the teeth. Generally speaking it may be necessary to repeat the treatment after a few years.

• Attention...

  It is important to draw your attention to the fact that many severe discoloring (especially the ones that are caused by tetracycline, that present grey or even blackish stripes cannot be treated with the whitening procedure. In these extreme cases it is necessary to incur to the use of ceramic crowns made of Zirconium that offers a base of a white opaque color, which allows us to hide the dental discoloring and obtain impeccable results.

  The whitening treatments do not alter the color of a ceramic prosthetic piece. Neither does resin nor composite. This is why the colors of any dental repair piece will be the same even after a treatment and will look darker or yellow in comparison with the natural teeth that have been whitened. For this reason it is recommended to change them once the required whiteness has been achieved. For this reason it is important that in the case you are preparing for any kind of dental replacement (crowns, coverings, etc.) you should do this after the whitening treatment. This way you will achieve a uniform whiteness of all your teeth.

• Different whitening systems

  There are three different whitening systems:

  • Whitening of vital teeth with photo activation
  • Whitening of all vital teeth with gel
  • Whitening of every non vital individual tooth

• Whitening of vital teeth with photo-activation

  This treatment will be carried out completely in the dentist’s practice. It consists of covering the teeth with a layer of a highly concentrated whitening gel. The gums and the lips have to be carefully protected in order to avoid contact with the product. Once the gel has been applied the oxidative effect will be heightened by using a LED light or a special kind of laser indicated for dental treatments. The treatment takes about 30 minutes during which a whitening of 5 to 10 points in the whitening scale can be achieved. Depending on the grade of whitening required an additional session can be done after 15 days. This treatment does not cause any discomfort or pain, however in some cases a light sensivity to cold or hot can exist, disappearing very quickly.

• Whitening of vital teeth with gel

  In this case the treatment is being done at home according to the following procedure: A mold of your teeth has been made in the dentist’s practice. With this mold a cast is made that adapts exactly around your teeth. At home you fill the front part of every dental cavity of the case with a little bit of gel. Then you place the case covering your own teeth so that the product can be active during a certain amount of time, following the instructions of your dentist. After this the gel should be removed very carefully in order to avoid swallowing or contact with the mucus. The same procedure has to be repeated as many times as considered necessary until the required whiteness has been achieved. In the dentists’ consultation you will be provided with a kit containing the syringe with the whitening product and casing. The syringes can be kept in the refrigerator and use them as you see fit until their expiration date.

• Whitening of non vital teeth

  Non vital teeth are the teeth that have suffered a traumatism that has affected the dental nerve and have received a root canal treatment. These teeth have to be given an interior whitening by applying the whitening product to the interior part of the tooth. The product has to take effect during 30 minutes, then be removed and finally the conduct has to be closed again. It is possible that various applications are necessary, although it can also happen that the adequate color has been achieved in only one session. This procedure only takes place in the dentist’s practice.

• Are effective the whitening products that are being sold in shops and farmacies?

  The products that are being sold directly to the public have a minor concentration of active agents in order to avoid problems that could jeopardize the health of a person. There are certain types of treatments that are sufficient to treat a minor spot or in the case of teeth that are not very dark. In any case it is very important not to use products that can result abrasive, given the fact that, although in the beginning the teeth may have whitened, serious problems may arise some time afterwards. This is why, although you wish to treat just a small spot, you should consult your dentist and let yourself be guided about the products that exist in the stores. Your dentist will recommend the right treatment so that surprises are being avoided.

• Key aspects of the dental whitening treatment.

  Apart from the whitening treatments we offer various techniques to rejuvenate your smile and that will compensate and repair the aging effects of our dental aesthetics caused by aging.

  Indicated: For people at any age, whose teeth have darkened or have lost their color and in general for the majority of persons older than 40 years, who want to rejuvenate their smile.

  Duration: At the dentist’s practice: one or two sessions of 30 minutes each. Treatment at home: Any number of sessions necessary to achieve the color you wish, but always having in mind the criteria of a professional person.

  Results: The whitening is permanent, although one may need a new session after a few years.