WHAT DOES DENTAL WHITENING CONSIST OF?
Teeth whitening is a dental aesthetic treatment that is applied to teeth that become darker due to the loss of the enamel layer. The treatment consists of eliminating the intrinsic and extrinsic stains that produce the change of shade on the tooth surface.
Among the reasons that produce the change of color of the tooth are the composite fillings that some patients present, if the patient has received a pulpal treatment where the tooth loses the “nerve” and becomes devitalized, when the patient consumes food at a high level of dyes, or if the patient is a smoker.
Tooth whitening, as a dental aesthetic treatment, consists of applying a gel, which contains a product called hydrogen peroxide, which at a concentration of 15-30% it oxygenates the tooth producing its whitening. The gel is activated with a cold light and the treatment lasts approximately one hour.
Side effects of tooth whitening One of the most common side effects of this dental aesthetic treatment is tooth sensitivity. It depends on each patient, this side effect can become milder or more severe. To relieve this feeling, the dentist will recommend the patient toothpastes for sensitive teeth. If the dental sensitivity is extreme, dental aesthetic treatment should be suspended for a few days. The discomfort should disappear between 24 and 48 hours after stopping treatment. Sometimes it is considered that teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment that damages the enamel. However, some studies indicate that the effects of treatment do not make the teeth more fragile or affect their integrity. Dental whitening is not recommended if the patient is pregnant or breast-feeding. It is also not advisable if you have untreated cavities, serious loss or fissures in the tooth enamel. We also do not recommend performing a teeth whitening in the case of performing orthodontic treatment, as it is much more effective that we first obtain the results of this treatment and maintain proper dental hygiene. If after orthodontics, we decided to perform a teeth whitening, our teeth will be properly placed to show a beautiful smile. How long does the effect of teeth whitening last? Keep in mind that the effect of teeth whitening does not last forever and less if in our daily lives we continue to consume foods and drinks with a high content of dyes and the habit of smoking is maintained. Generally, the dental aesthetic treatment of teeth whitening, performed by a specialist, lasts between five and seven years. Even so, its duration will also vary according to each patient depending on the health of their teeth, the nature of the spots and the type of food consumed in their daily diet.
Source: http://www.cambraclinic.com/faqs/estetica-dental/en-que-consiste-el-blanqueamiento-dental/