Tooth colour is genetically determined, which is why some people have darker teeth than others from a young age.
Teeth also get darker as we age because the enamel thins, allowing the more colourful dentin to show more.
The change in tooth colour can also be caused by surface stains from coffee, tea, tobacco and certain foods.
Superficial stains, can be removed by a dental cleaning.
A significant change in tooth colour can only be achieved with professional teeth whitening, a simple technique used in the dentist’s office to improve the aesthetics of the teeth and smile.
There are 3 types of teeth whitening.
In-Office Whitening
Home whitening
Combination of home and in-office whitening
BEFORE and AFTER
Teeth whitening cases that have been treated at our clinic.
After
Teeth colour improved significantly within 15 days of whitening at home.
Before
Young patient with dark teeth for her age.
After
After whitening, the teeth will remain a little more yellow near the gums and this is normal with whitening.
However, the overall result is white.In
Before
Before whitening treatment
Home whitening treatment
After
We need to repeat the sessions in the clinic for a few weeks to achieve white teeth.
Before
Whitening in the clinic is carried out using substances with a high content of active ingredients.
These substances are applied to the teeth for approximately 45 minutes during each session.
In office whitening treatment
After
Result after treatment
Before
Tetracycline, an antibiotic given to children in the past, causes discoloration of the teeth.
Teeth with tetracycline staining are very difficult to whiten with the teeth whitening technique.
After
This impressive result was achieved after 6 months of home whitening combined with clinic whitening every 3 weeks.
It is maintained by repeating the whitening sessions for two evenings each month.
Before
Teeth stained with tetracycline show zones of discolouration that coincide chronologically with the stage of permanent tooth formation when the antibiotic was taken.
Tetracycline staining and whitening with both in office and home whitening
After
After the internal whitening of the canine tooth, the tooth returned to its normal colour, allowing the patient to smile comfortably again.
Before
The patient in the photo had undergone endodontic treatment of the canine.
The tooth had become discoloured, a fairly common consequence of endodontic treatment
After
Same tooth, after internal bleaching treatment
Before
Endodontically
Internal bleaching of an endodontically treated tooth
After
Result after the whitening treatment at home, with custom-made trays.
Before
The patient in the photo wanted whiter teeth, but had a more pronounced problem οn a central insicor that was discolored.
After
By whitening the teeth with custom-made splints, the patient can insist on the discolored tooth for a longer period of time, so that in the final result the tooth does not stand out from the rest.
Before
Before treatment.
The endodontically treated central incisor was darker than the rest of the teeth.
We could not apply internal bleaching to the tooth, because of the complex problems it had in the past.
Home whitening treatment
Home whitening treatment
Questions
Why is teeth whitening only effective when done at the dentist?
The colour of teeth is determined by the dentin, the lower layer of the tooth.
Dentin can only be whitened with the use of products that can penetrate the enamel and reach the dentin.
Such products are only available from dentists, according to a European Union directive.
How white can my teeth get?
We don’t know in advance how white your teeth will become.
What is certain is that they will retain the colour gradation they had before treatment.
After whitening, your teeth will be slightly more yellow near the root than the rest of the tooth.
If you want teeth that are very white, whitening may not be the right solution for you. Consider veneers in this case.
I don’t want my teeth to look fake after whitening
Teeth whitening, will give you the most natural white you can get
Do I have to stop smoking to get teeth whitening?
No. However, we do recommend that you do not smoke for 30 to 60 minutes after you have applied the whitening product.
What is the best whitening technique?
Teeth whitening that combines the techniques of in-office and home whitening is the most effective and can achieve the desired result in a shorter time.
However, it is more expensive because different techniques and materials are used.
Excellent results can also be achieved by whitening teeth with custom-made home trays.
Whitening with home trays is more affordable and allows you to maintain the result by whitening yourself periodically.
How is teeth whitening done at home?
We will examine your teeth and gums to make sure they are in good condition.
Old fillings may need to be replaced and any decay or gum disease treated.
We take an impression of your teeth and make customised trays to fit over them.
On these thin and soft trays you place the whitening material we provide.
The trays are usually worn while you sleep, for 10-15 nights or longer if necessary.
How is teeth whitening done in the office?
Teeth whitening at our clinic is carried out by applying a whitening agent directly to the teeth with or without the help of the Philips ZOOM lamp.
This technique is preferred by patients who want quick results without the use of trays.
The whole procedure takes less than an hour and our patients can watch TV or listen to music during the procedure.
In-office whitening offers longer-lasting results when combined with at-home whitening.
Do I have to bleach first and then do the fillings?
If you need fillings, they will need to be done before the whitening treatment because bleaching must be done on healthy teeth.
However, if your teeth are healthy and you want to change any old fillings in your mouth, these may be done at least 15 days after the whitening treatment.
When is teeth whitening contraindicated?
Bleaching is not allowed if you are under 18.
It is not recommended for pregnant and lactating women, as it has not yet been tested to see if it causes an effect on the health of the fetus or the baby’s
Is there a risk to my teeth from whitening?
Your teeth must be healthy to have them whitened.
Teeth are not at risk from whitening as long as it is done with proper whitening products and under the supervision of a dentist.
How long does the whitening result last?
Bleaching is a semi-permanent technique to improve the colour of your teeth.
However, your teeth will remain whiter than before treatment, for a long time.
If you want to maintain the original white colour, you can repeat the bleaching procedure once a year using your customised trays with bleaching material for 1-2 nights.
Related Videos
See more videos on the clinic's YouTube channel @DentArtistry
