Teeth Whitening - Services and Procedures

According to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), teeth whitening is the most requested of all aesthetic dental procedures. This fact does not surprise the dentists of NB Dental - Nino Beridze's Clinic at all, because coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco change the colour of almost everyone's teeth. With age, the enamel naturally becomes thinner and the yellowish dentine beneath it becomes more noticeable.

Interestingly, the modern method of teeth whitening was discovered entirely by accident. In the 1960s, the American orthodontist William Klusmier prescribed carbamide peroxide gel to his patients to treat their gums. During treatment he noticed that the gel not only acted on the gums but also whitened the teeth.

What is teeth whitening and how does it differ from professional cleaning?

Like many of our patients, you may think that teeth whitening and professional cleaning are the same procedure, but they are different dental services.

Professional hygiene cleans the teeth of plaque, surface stains and tartar and restores their natural colour. So if you have noticed faint, yellowish stains on the enamel, professional teeth cleaning alone may be enough to remove them.

Teeth whitening, on the other hand, changes the natural shade of the tooth itself. A special gel acts on the pigments in the tooth tissue, as a result of which the enamel becomes several shades lighter.

What teeth whitening methods are there?

Teeth whitening can be carried out both in the clinic and at home, with individual trays made by the dentist (the procedure must be carried out on the doctor's recommendation and under their supervision, not on your own).

Chemical teeth whitening

In chemical whitening, a gel containing hydrogen or carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth. The gel penetrates the enamel and breaks down the darkened pigments, as a result of which the teeth become lighter. The product used in the clinic contains a relatively high concentration of the active substance, on average 25% to 40%, so before the procedure the dentist covers the gums with a special protective material. One visit usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes, and the result is visible the same day.

Laser teeth whitening

With this method the same gel is used, but it is activated with a laser beam. The result is visible in a single visit, although the teeth become slightly sensitive due to the effect of the laser. If you suffered from increased sensitivity even before the procedure, tell your dentist in advance so that they can choose the gel concentration correctly and set the duration of the procedure.

Teeth whitening at home

Whitening teeth at home is acceptable if the process is planned and monitored by a dentist. The doctor makes individual trays from an impression of your teeth and chooses a gel with a relatively low concentration (10% to 16% carbamide peroxide). The trays should be worn for several hours a day as instructed by the dentist, and you will see a change in about one to two weeks.

Can a filled tooth be whitened?

A filled tooth can be whitened, but keep in mind that the whitening gel acts only on the natural tooth tissue. A filling, crown or veneer does not change colour, so after the procedure it may appear darker compared with the new shade of the teeth.

If this difference in colour is noticeable when you smile, the dentist will replace the filling a few weeks after whitening, once the final shade has settled. During artistic restoration, they will choose a material matching the new colour so that the difference is not noticeable.

Who is it recommended for?

Teeth whitening is not carried out during pregnancy and breastfeeding, or under the age of 18. For children and teenagers, regular check-ups and timely caries treatment, including on milk teeth, are more important at this stage.

If you have active caries or gum inflammation, the whitening procedure should be postponed until treatment is complete, because the whitening gel may irritate the damaged area even more.

How to maintain the result?

After whitening, your dentist will advise you to avoid coffee, tea, red wine, dark-coloured sauces and tobacco for the first two days. This way of eating is called the "white diet", and following it for the first two days after whitening is essential.

The result lasts longer if you brush your teeth twice a day, floss every day and have a professional cleaning once every six months. With proper care, the colour achieved by whitening can last up to three years, although this period also depends on eating habits and tobacco use.

Remember that the lightest shade is not always the best choice when whitening teeth. What matters is that the resulting colour looks natural and meets your expectations. Book a visit to NB Dental - Nino Beridze's Clinic, where experienced dentists will carefully assess the condition of your teeth and take care of your peace of mind and comfort throughout the procedure.

Frequently asked questions