Teeth whitening
When should we use teeth whitening?
If your teeth are discolored or stained, or you simply want a more youthful appearance, teeth whitening may be the ideal cosmetic dental treatment for you.
There are several types of teeth whitening procedures, which is why it doesn’t hurt to read about their actual effectiveness. In general, the most reliable sources are the customers themselves, it is worth reading their opinions or talking to family members and acquaintances who have already undergone similar treatment.
What can cause my teeth to become discolored?
Teeth discoloration can have many causes:
- the drinks and foods consumed are the most common cause of discoloration, which over time get into the lower layers of the tooth enamel, from where they can no longer be removed by simple brushing (coffee, tea, synthetic food coloring, etc.)
- smoking
- discolored dental fillings
- root canal treatment
Before teeth whitening
Before teeth whitening, it is worth taking part in a dental screening. If, during the consultation, the dentist finds a decayed tooth, or considers that the patient needs root canal treatment, it is worth having the treatments performed before teeth whitening. It is also worth having the old fillings replaced and the tartar removed.
Why do we recommend in-dentistry teeth whitening?
Our dentists are highly trained in this teeth whitening technique, so the end result will definitely be what you want.
In-dentistry teeth whitening:
- professional: one of the most modern teeth whitening methods
- quick: a bright smile in 1 hour
- efficient: a whiter smile that lasts for years
- reliable: according to our experience, of the many available teeth whitening methods, in-office teeth whitening provides the most spectacular and reliable results so far
- safe: clinical tests confirm that in-dentistry teeth whitening is the safest dental and aesthetic procedure
The course of in-dentistry teeth whitening treatment
- In-dentistry teeth whitening is always preceded by professional tartar removal.
- After placing the mouth brace, the gums are isolated and protected with a light-hardening material. The tongue and jaw are protected by the mouthpiece and special woven materials with high absorbent capacity.
- Both the patient and the dental hygienist are given protective glasses.
- Teeth whitening consists of three 15-minute sessions. During this, we apply teeth whitening gel to the surface of the tooth and illuminate it with a lamp that emits UV light. As a result of the light, the applied hydrogen peroxide-containing substance (gel) removes the discolorations on the surface of the tooth and in its deeper layers. At the end of the 15-minute cycles, we apply new teeth whitening gel and check the material used to isolate the tongue and cheek.
After teeth whitening: keep your bright smile for a long time!
It is forbidden to brush your teeth for a few hours immediately after teeth whitening! During the procedure, the top layer of the tooth enamel temporarily softens, and after some time after teeth whitening, it regains its hardness and ability to protect the tooth from physical influences.
The durability of in-office teeth whitening lasts for years, and it is not recommended to perform teeth whitening more often than that. The duration of the actual result is also influenced by the patient’s lifestyle. In the event that you regularly consume coffee, tea, wine, foods containing artificial coloring and possibly smoke, teeth whitening should be performed more often in order to maintain the brightness of your smile than patients who lead a different lifestyle.
In order to make the results of teeth whitening permanent, it is recommended to use teeth whitening toothpastes, as well as to take part in a control examination every six months and to use a dental hygiene treatment at certain intervals.
Are there any disadvantages or adverse effects of professional teeth whitening?
In-dentistry teeth whitening does not have any disadvantages regarding the health of the teeth, the oral cavity and the patient. This teeth whitening method is professional and minimally invasive, so it does not damage the teeth.
According to EU regulations, it is strictly forbidden to use hydrogen peroxide in concentrations higher than 6%. The operators of our dental clinic, the procedures performed here, the tools and materials used all comply with the ISO-9001 standard, all work processes at our clinic comply with the highest EU standards, which guarantees the protection of the integrity of your teeth.
Why don't we recommend another teeth whitening system?
Unprepared and uncontrolled treatment may be ineffective or cause unforeseen discomfort. Although cheaper solutions are also available, according to our experience, they are not nearly as durable and do not provide such spectacular results. With other systems, the entire whitening process is time-consuming (for example, in the case of home teeth whitening, it usually takes two weeks).
In what cases is it possible and in what cases is it not worth using teeth whitening?
In each case, the consulting dentist decides on the applicability of teeth whitening, taking into account your needs and the condition of your teeth. If, for example, the discoloration is too intense or if you consider that it cannot be restored with teeth whitening, you can also propose the use of porcelain veneers or dental crowns. The basic, natural color of the teeth is an inherited property, so the ivory shade that comes from advertisements is not always available. At our dental clinic, we naturally do everything we can to ensure that our patients can leave with the most beautiful smile possible after treatment.
Tartar removal
Why is tartar removal important?
Due to dietary habits that have changed over the decades, more and more emphasis must be placed on oral care, which not only helps to maintain one’s own teeth, but also extends the life of completed dental restorations and implants.
Even the slightest gingivitis endangers and can doom precise interventions to failure. Tartar formation can be a common cause of gingivitis.
What is tartar, how does it form?
Most of the plaque can be removed from the teeth with the help of regular brushing and flossing, but it cannot be 100% removed at home, even with very conscientious teeth cleaning. Over time, lime crystals from saliva are deposited in the plaque, which can lead to tartar formation.
In order to prevent the formation of tartar, it is therefore worth taking part in dental hygiene treatments, during which the plaque can be completely removed. The rate and extent of tartar formation is unique for everyone, depending on lifestyle and individual characteristics.
It is deposited most quickly and most often on the buccal surface of the upper molars and the lingual surface of the lower incisors. Tartar adheres strongly to the tooth, so it cannot be removed by simple brushing.
What are the short- and long-term consequences of accumulated, untreated tartar?
Over time, the formation of tartar can appear in the form of spectacular deposits at the junction of the tooth and the gum, which does not offer an aesthetic appearance at all. It can also discolor the teeth, as it binds coffee, tea, tobacco smoke, as well as artificial dyes from food, which can get into the lower layers of the tooth enamel. Experience shows that the main cause of bad breath is usually not tooth decay, but tartar. By irritating the gums, tartar can cause inflammation, and further periodontal disease, bone destruction, loosening and subsequent loss of teeth.
The process of tartar removal
Tartar removal is preceded by a consultation and dental screening at our clinic. During this, the dentist will discuss the course of treatment with you and provide you with a treatment and cost plan.
During tartar removal, the ultrasonic device separates the deposited plaque, discoloration and tartar from the tooth surface, while washing and cooling the teeth with water. Due to the treatment, the surface of the tooth can be scratched, which can cause tartar to reoccur more quickly.
That is why it is recommended to have the so-called Air brush salt polishing, during which the surface of the teeth is made “smooth” and scratch-free again. The intervention is quick and painless, and does not involve any additional physical strain on the patient.
After polishing, gum and pocket treatment can take place. During this, the gums are brushed with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory solutions, which not only destroys the bacteria in the pockets, but also stimulates possible wound healing, as well as restores the balance of the body’s local defense reaction.
After tartar removal
After tartar removal, the tooth may be sensitive for up to 4-6 weeks, but there is no need to be alarmed by this, this is part of the natural healing process after treatment. The most common cause of sensitivity is that a large amount of tartar builds up the gum from the dentinal canal, which is exposed when the tartar is removed. This part of the tooth is sensitive to cold and heat, which causes sharp pain when eating and drinking.
If you experience persistent bleeding and pain in the area of tartar removal, or swollen lymph nodes, see your doctor as soon as possible, because the area may be infected.
In rarer cases, tooth sensitivity can only be treated with pain-relieving tablets. In most cases, the toothpaste used to protect sensitive teeth is also sufficient. Stronger pain disappears within 1-2 hours after the treatment, and the symptoms subside after 1-2 weeks and disappear completely within 4-6 weeks.
IMPORTANT informations
- In the 3-4 days following tartar removal, avoid hard foods and crunchy foods.
- In order to heal the gums and affected tissues, it is recommended to quit smoking.
- Buy a gum-protecting toothpaste recommended for sensitive teeth.
- It is worth switch to a toothbrush with soft or extra soft bristles for a week due to the sensitivity of the teeth and gums.
- In the few days following tartar removal, it is worth gargling with anti-inflammatory mouthwash several times a day.
- After the treatment, don’t forget to floss and clean between the teeth.
- It can be observed after removing the tartar that the interdental spaces become wider, but they also usually narrow over time.
How often should tartar removal be performed?
The amount of tartar formation varies from person to person, so it is advisable to repeat the treatment at intervals recommended by our doctors. It is usually timely every six months, so it coincides with the date of the six-month dental check-up, which is required anyway. Regular tartar removal can prevent most periodontal diseases, which can help to keep our teeth for a lifetime.