What is teeth whitening?

Yellowish and grey discoloration of the teeth is caused by colorants in various foods and beverages, smoking, and certain medications. Discoloration molecules accumulate in the tooth enamel and in the dentin causing the tooth to turn yellow / brown.

Professional teeth whitening is a procedure that gives discoloured teeth a brighter and fresh-looking colour. By penetrating into the enamel and dentin, the tooth whitening agent breaks down the molecules that cause discoloration into smaller, colourless molecules, thereby restoring the teeth to their original shine.

We deliver two types of teeth whitening:

Zoom: Here your teeth are whitened in the dental chair.

  • In our dental clinic, our dentist or dental hygienist places a mouthpiece inside your mouth so that you can keep your mouth open comfortably during the treatment. Your gums are isolated with a protective barrier and you are given googles to protect your eyes from the light.
  • The Zoom system includes a special whitening agent and the Zoom ultraviolet (UVA) light lamp.
  • The whitening agent is placed on the tooth surfaces and then activated three times during a 15-minute program with the UVA light. Fresh whitening gel is applied during all three cycles. The bleach is activated by UVA light, penetrating into the enamel and dentin, and hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen. During the decomposition, so-called free radicals are released, which break down the larger molecules that cause discoloration. Peroxide-free teeth whiteners have no proven effect.
  • After the whitening process and after rinsing the whitening material, the teeth are treated with a fluoride reducing agent.
  • This type of procedure, together with the preparations, takes approximately 90 minutes.
  • In order to achieve the best results, we supplement the outpatient treatment with home teeth whitening treatment, which must be applied for 3-5 days.

During the Zoom, we use a higher concentration, thus stronger material, so of course the result is faster and more visible. The only drawback of this treatment is that tooth sensitivity develops more often during and after whitening, which may last longer than with home teeth whitening.

2. “At home” teeth whitening, during which our patient is provided a whitening kit and is supervised by our dentist.

  • Our dental hygienist / dentist takes an impression of both jawbones, based on which our dental technicians make your individual mouth trays. Completion time: 24 hours
  • At the second appointment you receive your whitening kit consisting of the mouth trays, a box for storing them, syringes containing whitening gel, and a gel that reduces tooth sensitivity.
  • Our dentist prepares you for the use of the teeth whitening kit, as well as inform you about the food and drinks to be avoided during and after teeth whitening and all necessary information.
  • The whitening material should be put onto the mouthpieces and then applied to the teeth. You only need to put enough whitening agent so that it does not spill on the gums.
  • Teeth whitening should be done in the evening or at night, the splints should be worn for 4-8 hours for 5-8 days.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the teeth whitening, it is not advisable to wear the splints continuously for longer than the above period. It is advisable to take a break of 2-3 weeks before another whitening cycle. This is primarily necessary to prevent hypersensitivity.

The substance used for home teeth whitening contains a lower concentration of the bleaching agent, hydrogen peroxide (or its derivatives). Because of this, the bleaching process is slower and less visible than with Zoom bleaching. Its advantage is that tooth sensitivity develops less frequently and, even if it does develop, it only lasts for a short time.

Is the treatment harmful?

You do not need to worry about any harmful effects. Professional tooth whitening is a totally safe procedure. Following the procedure, you might experience some level of sensitivity, but this will fade out completely in a few days. Every individual is different, so is their reaction to bleaching, but we can generally say that most patients do not experience any sensitivity in their teeth, whereas others might feel some sort of sensitivity that might last 1-2 weeks post-procedure, but this might be moderated with special cooling gels.

We cannot stress enough that it is highly important that you always opt for a professional when it comes to dental bleaching. It is not advised to have your teeth bleached in an aesthetic salon, where there is a lack of professionalism and you will not have access to any professional supervision that might result in irreversible damage to your teeth.