PROFESSIONAL TEETH WHITENING
A snow white smile has always been considered a sign of good health, but few people know that that doesn’t mean the teeth are in good shape.
Until recently, only movie stars and wealthy people could afford teeth whitening procedures, but today anybody can get their teeth whitened even in the comfort of their own home. The new techniques have become so popular that one in four people have thought about getting their teeth whitened.
Different types of professional teeth whitening.
1. Chemical
There are two types - professional whitening and home kits.
Professional teeth whitening is carried out only in a dental office, as the chemicals are highly concentrated. Two to three sessions lasting 30 minutes are sufficient, and your teeth will be 1-2 shades lighter.
The principle of chemical whitening gel is based on the penetration of hydrogen peroxide into the enamel, via an activator (heat, ultraviolet light or laser beam) that initiates the decay of H2O2 to oxygen and other active substances, creating a whitening effect.
Home whitening involves applying a special gel mouthguard made in a dental laboratory from casts of the patient’s teeth. The difference is only in the concentration of the gel, which is much lower because home kits lack ways to isolate the mucous membrane of the mouth and there’s a higher probability that the patient can burn themselves.
The biggest disadvantage of chemical whitening is that enamel microstructure can be damaged, and as a result, it loses its protective properties, teeth become sensitive, and abusing this procedure will lead to you needing dentures.
2. Laser teeth whitening
This is one of the most expensive and most effective ways of whitening teeth.
It differs from the others because the whitening gel activator in this case, is a laser. A positive aspect is that the laser makes it possible to control the intensity of the whitening for different parts of the tooth. The laser beam releases active oxygen molecules, which penetrate the enamel and eliminate unwanted pigment. The procedure lasts about 30 minutes.
Laser teeth whitening is contraindicated in cases of:
1. Erosion of enamel.
2. Inflammatory diseases of the oral mucosa.
3. Pregnancy and lactation.
4. The presence of old fillings.
3. Light activated whitening
This is a very common method for whitening teeth and is carried out only in dental offices.
The essence of the method is to apply gel after a regular teeth cleaning and activating it with a halogen lamp.
The procedure is performed three times in 20 minute sessions. The teeth can become 8-10 shades lighter, but afterwards, like with other methods, it’s important to adhere to a certain "colorless" diet, otherwise your white smile can turn into a very ugly sight.
4. Airflow whitening
This technique is another way to professionally whiten teeth. Using a special machine, a special mixture of pressurized soda water is directed towards the teeth, achieving a whitening effect. But it is worth noting that this technique removes only the outer coating of the tooth, without penetrating through the enamel. If the shade is caused by genetic factors, don’t have high expectations for this procedure.
Airflow whitening is recommended every six months because no aggressive substances are used. The procedure is the mildest there is.
Summarizing all the above, we can say that regular dental hygiene, combined with proper whitening will give you a perfect smile that will delight you and others.
17.02.2016