Teeth whitening – frequently asked questions (FAQ).
White teeth and a nice smile shape a person's appearance and affect their well-being. A discoloured front tooth has a negative impact on appearance and often on the psyche. In many cases the tooth can be lightened to a satisfactory degree. The whitening result depends primarily on the cause of the discolouration.
As with many conditions, prevention is best — e.g. avoid tetracyclines in children and fluoride overuse. Smokers and those consuming staining products should brush frequently.
We use Opalescence Boost for in-office whitening. We use a chemically activated gel for professional tooth whitening in the dental practice. It allows whitening in a single visit without trays. With strong oxidising activity and neutral pH 7.0, it is effective while preserving enamel.
Chemical activation provides high efficacy; additional light activation is unnecessary. Studies show that light does not enhance outcomes and may cause adverse effects. Light exposure dehydrates teeth, giving a temporary illusion of increased whiteness.
The procedure takes up to 1.5 hours. After protecting the gums, whitening gel is applied and removed after several minutes. The cycle is repeated 2–3 times until the desired effect.
A non-vital, root-treated tooth may darken over time, especially visible in the anterior region. Such teeth can be whitened.
We use an effective, safe internal whitening technique (walking bleach) with an intracoronal insert, achieving good aesthetics without aggressive prosthetic treatment.
Non-vital tooth whitening involves reopening and preparing the chamber. An X-ray assesses the root canal status. A whitening agent is placed inside and the tooth is sealed with a temporary dressing; the agent is replaced every few days until the desired shade is reached, then a light-cured restoration is placed.