Teeth Whitening

Ideal Candidates and Clinical Considerations for Teeth Whitening

While teeth whitening in Turkey enhances smile aesthetics, not every tooth structure responds to the treatment in the same way. Generally, here are the ideal candidates for the procedure:

• Extrinsic staining: Over the years, stains from colored beverages and smoking accumulate on tooth enamel. These stains become more noticeable over time and negatively affect the aesthetic appearance.
• Age-related yellowing: As people age, the enamel thins, making the underlying dentin more visible. This leads to natural yellowing and color changes in the teeth.
• Genetic dark shade: In some individuals, teeth may have a naturally darker or yellowish hue despite being healthy. This can create aesthetic concerns.
• Smile design preparation: Bleaching may be performed to lighten the natural tooth color for an aesthetic smile. This ensures a more harmonious and aesthetically pleasing appearance across all teeth.

Whitening agents are effective only on natural tooth structure, and this procedure may not be recommended in certain cases:

• Restored teeth: If there are large composite fillings or veneers on the front teeth, the whitening gel will not change their color. This results in a color discrepancy between the natural teeth and the restorations after the procedure.
• Intrinsic stains: Stains from childhood antibiotics or excessive fluoride may be present. In such cases, whitening is often ineffective, and alternative treatments are recommended.
• Sensitive teeth: It is also not recommended for those with deep cracks, wear, or enamel structural defects. Whitening gel can reach the nerves very quickly, causing severe pain.
• Gum recession: Root surfaces exposed due to gum recession lack an enamel layer. These areas don’t whiten, and excessive sensitivity occurs during the procedure.

Step-by-Step Application of Teeth Whitening Methods

Whitening procedures are categorized into different methods based on the patient’s time constraints and tooth structure. The experts at Diş 212 carefully plan the process to achieve a whiter appearance without damaging the tooth enamel. Take a closer look at the teeth whitening methods and application steps:

• In-office teeth whitening

Completed in about one hour under a specialist dentist’s supervision, this method is ideal for effective results. In this method, tartar and plaque are removed. The gel makes full contact with the tooth surface. A special barrier that hardens with light is applied. This prevents the gel from coming into contact with the gums and causing irritation.

A strong whitening gel is carefully placed on the teeth. The gel is activated using laser or LED light. The procedure can typically be repeated in 2 or 3 sessions of 15-20 minutes each. In the final step, the gels are removed, and the barrier is taken off. Your new tooth shade is shown to you on a color scale. [2]

• At-home teeth whitening

This is a method you can apply at home under a dentist’s supervision. First, an impression of your mouth is taken. Custom-made, transparent whitening trays that fit your teeth perfectly are produced in a laboratory. Specialists will explain how to place the gel inside the trays. They will also provide training to prevent the gel from spilling onto the gums.

You can wear these trays for 4-8 hours a day (usually while sleeping), as recommended by your dentist. Generally, you’ll achieve your desired shade within 1–2 weeks. This method is typically used as a supportive treatment to reinforce the effects of in-office whitening. [3]

• Combined whitening (in-office + at-home)

This is the method that delivers the most lasting and effective results. First, a quick lightening is achieved with in-office teeth whitening. Then, the whiteness is reinforced using the at-home trays provided to you. This method minimizes the risk of the tooth color reverting. [4]

• Laser teeth whitening

This method uses specialized dental laser devices instead of standard LED lights. Laser light activates the atoms in the gel much more quickly. The procedure is quick. It typically provides a deeper clean, especially for very dark-colored teeth.