When it comes to professional teeth whitening, reviews on the Internet and among acquaintances can vary greatly. Someone was satisfied with the procedure, the other called it "pumping money." Why are there so many different opinions on what seems to be such an unambiguous issue? There are several reasons.

Why might results differ?

• The degree of contamination of the teeth and the reasons that led to it are different. It is enough for one patient to remove the yellow plaque from the enamel so that his smile sparkles white again. And in another, a black plaque covers the teeth, deeply penetrating into the tissues. And it is extremely difficult to achieve instant lightening, even when using professional teeth whitening techniques. Often multiple procedures are required.
• Methods for whitening teeth in dentistry vary. Some allow you to cope only with external plaque, while others are able to eliminate pigmentation deep in the tissues. As a rule, the first methods are cheaper, which attracts the attention of patients. The latter are more expensive, which is why not everyone can use them, but they are much more effective.
• Individual characteristics. Before starting the procedures, the specialist always conducts diagnostics, determining the degree of wear of the enamel. This allows you to predict how likely it is to develop sensitivity after bleaching. If the enamel is strong, teeth whitening at the dentist will leave only the most positive memories. If it is covered with cracks and chips, even after the most gentle procedure, you will experience discomfort and pain for a couple of weeks.

professional ways

Which whitening is best? What are the types of teeth whitening in dentistry and how does it work? To date, there are 5 best effective and safe methods.

1. airflow. Hardware technique for removing external plaque, which allows you to lighten the enamel by 1-3 tones. It is recognized rather as a hygienic procedure, which is desirable to take place twice a year. When performing it, the doctor sends a powerful stream of water and air mixed with soda to the teeth, which literally removes all impurities from the enamel, including the beginnings of a stone, a film from cigarette tar. This teeth whitening procedure eliminates enamel damage, is safe and gentle.
2. ultrasonic cleaning. It is not used for whitening as such, but to remove deposits of plaque and tartar. Combine with the Air-Flow technique to give the enamel whiteness. Regular ultrasonic cleaning allows you to eliminate all types of dirt, keep your teeth healthy.
3. Chemical professional teeth whitening. Its types vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but the technique is almost identical. The doctor cleans the teeth, then applies a bleaching compound with a high content of hydrogen peroxide (urea). After some time, the composition is removed, and the teeth are treated with a mineralizing agent. The result is lightening by 5-7 tones. This technique is the least safe teeth whitening in dentistry, as it often causes the development of sensitivity. But when performing the procedure with an experienced doctor, you can be sure of its gentle effect.
4. Hardware methods of teeth whitening. In dentistry, photobleaching using the ZOOM system is currently used. It provides clarification by 8-10 tones in one procedure. It is recognized as more gentle than chemical, since it uses a gel with a lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide. But thanks to the influence of ultraviolet radiation, it acts more efficiently. The procedure does not cause discomfort, after which the teeth are treated with an amorphous calcium composition that strengthens the enamel. The most popular in-office teeth whitening. Reviews testify to its affordable cost and performance.
5. Laser whitening - the most expensive teeth whitening in dentistry and the most effective. It does not have a negative effect on the enamel, moreover, it strengthens it by 40% under the action of a laser beam. The minimum exposure time of the gel with carbamide peroxide (only 2 minutes) eliminates the destruction of enamel. The result of clarification is visible immediately and is up to 12 tones.

Advantages

Professional teeth whitening techniques demonstrate efficiency and lasting effect. So after mechanical cleaning with Air-Flow, the result is preserved for at least 1 year. And the laser technique guarantees enamel lightening for 7-10 years with proper care.
Other benefits of in-office whitening:

• professional medical examination if you decide to whiten your teeth at home, you cannot be sure that they are completely healthy, and the chosen remedy will not damage the enamel. In the dental office, the doctor will diagnose and select the best technique for you;
• quick result teeth whitening in dentistry - reviews confirm the whitening of the enamel after the first procedure. Whereas at home it is necessary to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for 10-30 days;
• visible effect - not a single home remedy will provide you with 10 tones of teeth whitening, but a professional one can.

These benefits will be apparent only if you contact an experienced specialist. Therefore, it is extremely important to choose a dental clinic with an ideal reputation and positive reviews.

A snow-white smile always attracts the attention of others and is a hallmark of a person. However, a very small percentage of people have naturally white teeth. That is why many are looking for a way to whiten tooth enamel. In modern dentistry, a large number of methods of cleaning teeth are used. There are types of both home and professional in-office dental whitening. Choosing the right procedure for you is quite difficult. In this article, we will describe the main methods of whitening tooth enamel and contraindications to them.

Types of teeth whitening

Today, there are many dental techniques, each of which differs in the following terms:

• composition and reagents used;
• frequency and number of procedures;
• whitening speed;
• degree of patient involvement.

For the procedures, modern preparations are offered, the manufacturers of which promise safe and high-quality whitening with their help. Professional clarification is carried out on modern equipment and is in great demand.

Dental in-office whitening methods

With the help of professional cleaning of tooth enamel in the shortest possible time, you can achieve excellent results and long-term effects. At the same time, during the procedures, a sparing effect on tooth enamel occurs.

All dental office whitening is divided into several ways:

• mechanical;
• chemical;
• laser;
• ultrasonic;
• photobleaching.

Mechanical bleaching

Dental mechanical cleaning is based on professional oral hygiene. With this procedure, you can get a very pronounced visual effect, although dentists do not consider it whitening.

During the mechanical procedure, dental deposits in the form of plaque and stones are removed. As a result, the natural color of tooth enamel returns to the patient. And if he has white enamel by nature, then a Hollywood smile is guaranteed.

Many people who drink coffee, red wine, cola and smoke what their natural enamel looks like have long forgotten. In these cases resort to chemicals, hydrogen peroxide, various pencils and strips are impractical. First of all, you need to carry out oral hygiene in the dental office.

During mechanical cleaning, the impact occurs on the deposits that are on the surface of the teeth. That is why such a procedure is completely safe for enamel.

But there are cases when, after dental plaque and calculus removal, the cervical region of the teeth is open. As a result, the teeth begin to react to hot and cold. Previously, dental stones saved them from all these irritants. In this case, it is necessary to contact a periodontist who will carry out fluoridation of sensitive enamel and prescribe treatment.

Among the mechanical methods of clarification, the most common is dental ultrasonic cleaning.

Ultrasonic whitening procedure

With the help of ultrasonic devices, both supragingival and subgingival stones are easily removed. Ultrasound allows you to clean even the tooth enamel of a smoker, which neither professional brushes nor special toothpastes can handle.

How does ultrasound work?

At the end of a special tip, due to ultrasonic vibrations, plaque and stones are destroyed. Separating from the enamel, they do not injure the tissue. At the same time, water enters the teeth through the tip, which is necessary for the effectiveness and safety of the procedure. Water does not allow them to overheat and, due to the movements of the tip, creates vortex flows. With their help, there is an improvement in the exfoliation of plaque and stones.

Airflow technology

The method of restoring tooth enamel is carried out with Air-Flow device, inside which there are water-air channels and sodium bicarbonate used as an abrasive. During the procedure, a jet of water, air and baking soda acts on the surface of the tooth enamel under high pressure, which are mixed closer to the end of the apparatus. The working part of the apparatus is installed in a special connector, and water mixed with soda is ejected under high pressure, cleaning the enamel surface from any, even the most hard plaque, in seconds.

The released jet easily penetrates into the most inaccessible places. With its help, you can clean the area above the gum and under various artificial structures, the gaps between the teeth. In just 30-40 minutes, the enamel will acquire its natural natural color.

Air-Flow technology has one big drawback - does not clean teeth. In addition, prolonged exposure to the jet on one area can lead to increased sensitivity after the procedure.

Chemical bleaching

The procedure for restoring the whiteness of enamel with the help of chemicals involves the use of special gels, which include highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide. The gels can be used alone or as an aid in photobleaching and laser cleaning.

Due to the high concentration of hydrogen peroxide, the dental chemical procedure has a good whitening effect. In one visit, you can achieve a pronounced whiteness of tooth enamel. You can bleach it immediately for 5-7 tones.

The disadvantage of chemical bleaching is the damage done to the enamel. It is restored by fluoridation and remineralization of teeth.

The use of chemicals requires consultation with a dentist and preliminary preparation. It is not recommended to carry out the procedure in the presence of various artificial restorations.

Photobleaching

This whitening method involves the use of a special lamp, which serves as a catalyst, and gels with active ingredients. Under the influence of a lamp, oxygen is released from the gel, which breaks down the pigments in the enamel. As a result, the teeth are brightened.

Stages of the procedure:

With the yellowness of the teeth, photobleaching copes perfectly, and gray plaque almost does not remove. In some cases, after the procedure, there is an increased sensitivity of the teeth. In this case, the dentist prescribes the use of remineralizing pastes.

Home teeth whitening

At home, you can use both mechanical and chemical means of lightening tooth enamel.

To dental home whitening methods relate:

Contraindications for dental whitening

No matter how much you want, but not everyone can whiten tooth enamel with the help of dental procedures. Teeth whitening contraindicated in the following cases:

• increased sensitivity of the teeth;
• allergic reactions;
• gum disease;
• exposure of the roots of the teeth;
• caries;
• rapid abrasion of the dentition;
• wearing braces;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• children under 14 years of age.

The obvious advantage of whitening is getting a quick aesthetic result like a white smile. The disadvantages of the procedure include the possibility of increased sensitivity of the teeth and thinning of the enamel. In addition, in order to maintain the whiteness of teeth after dental whitening, it is not recommended to smoke, drink coffee, tea and red wine, or use coloring products. Not every patient will decide on such restrictions. Therefore, those who want to have white teeth should first weigh the pros and cons, and only then choose the best dental whitening for themselves.

Without pretending to be absolute truth (don't forget that I'm still a doctor of a slightly different specialty), today I will tell you about teeth whitening. The topic is relevant, mainly for the fair sex, but recently, quite often, men who are not indifferent to how they look have turned to this method of “beautifying”.

An impeccable appearance contributes to self-confidence, confidence inspires the trust of others, trust, in turn, helps to successfully conduct business - probably no one will argue with this. That is why aesthetic dentistry, which includes teeth whitening, is growing both qualitatively and quantitatively.

There is no advertising in this article, from it you will not recognize the names of clinics, the names of doctors or brands of whitening preparations - this would be highly incorrect. But, nevertheless, I will try to provide you with complete information about teeth whitening and even show some examples of such work.

What are the methods of teeth whitening?

With all the variety of whitening systems, they can be conditionally divided into two groups:

Rapid whitening systems (also called office or clinical)

Slow whitening systems (so-called home systems)

Therapeutic and orthopedic methods for correcting the color of teeth - veneers, inlays, crowns and semi-crowns, which we talked about in the last article, as well as restoration of teeth with filling materials, stand apart. We will not consider them.

I will not burden you with the chemical and physical aspects of the effect of whitening compounds on tooth enamel, I will only say briefly - any whitening gel contains a strong oxidizing agent (usually atomic oxygen in bound form), which, interacting with pigments, oxidizes them to colorless compounds . ALL teeth whitening methods are based on this principle. The difference between them is only in the rate of release of the oxidizing agent and its quantity - hence the division into groups.

What is important to know about whitening and what dentists are sometimes silent about

Any whitening systems are harmful to teeth. No matter what dentists and manufacturers of whitening systems claim. Another issue is that the damage done to the teeth varies with different whitening methods.

Rapid discoloration of teeth requires a high concentration of oxidizing agent. Therefore, all office whitening systems are quite aggressive and most harmful to teeth. A change in the shade of the teeth by two or three tones in a few hours suggests a serious intervention in the structure of the enamel - and this does not go away without a trace.

When using home bleaching systems, the color change takes a long time, within 1.5-2 months, since they have a low content of oxidizing agent. In addition, although there is a long, but small effect, the tissues adjacent to the enamel have time to “tune in” to its new structure and give a minimum of adverse reactions.

After any type of whitening, the enamel permeability is significantly increased (this is just the answer to those who claim that whitening is harmless), so the teeth actively absorb any dyes (from products, cosmetics, etc.) and react quite painfully to any irritants. Therefore, after the teeth have whitened, they must be re-saturated with calcium and fluorine.

"Laser" or "Plasma" whitening is just a publicity stunt, nothing more. In some office whitening systems, bright light (ordinary LEDs) is really used, it is needed to activate the whitening gel (similar to how fillings “light up”). No lasers and, especially, plasmas are used here.

Teeth whitening and professional oral hygiene (including the use of AirFlow "sandblasting") are completely different procedures. Sometimes in some advertisements you can see this - "professional teeth whitening Air-Flow!", And the word Air-Flow is spelled with two errors. You just need to run away from such clinics.

Smoking and coffee are the two things that ruin the color of your teeth the most. If you want to get a lasting effect from whitening, you must, as far as possible, give up these bad habits. Moreover, smoking does not decorate anyone at all. Even a girl with dazzling white teeth.

Before changing the color of the teeth ...

... it is necessary to bring the oral cavity into relative order.

All teeth that need to be treated must be cured and covered with temporary fillings. EXACTLY TEMPORARY, and not permanent highly artistic restorations, because after bleaching the color of the teeth will change, and the fillings will remain the same and become noticeable against the background of whitened teeth. Permanent restorations are best done after you have achieved your desired tooth color.

Those teeth that require extraction must be removed.

If it is planned to prosthetic teeth with crowns, then it is best to close the prepared teeth with temporary plastic crowns, and postpone the manufacture of permanent prostheses for the time being. For the same reason as with fillings.

Before whitening, it is necessary to undergo a professional oral hygiene procedure - to remove soft and hard plaque (this is done with the help of AirFlow and other special tools). It would also be nice to learn proper oral hygiene from the doctor, to conduct a controlled brushing of the teeth (with a special plaque indicator).

Most importantly, any bleaching, whatever it may be (fast or slow), should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist doctor. The bleaching system must be known, standardized and certified - in no case is it allowed to use self-made and folk-Malakhov compositions. Otherwise, there is a chance to simply remain without teeth. And, without all at once.

Changing color...

It is important to know that the faster the discoloration of the teeth goes, the more harmful it is. The record holder for harmfulness are office bleaching systems.

Home teeth whitening is the best choice for most cases. Firstly, due to the low concentration of the oxidizing agent, it is much less harmful than any other. Secondly, it allows you to more clearly and accurately control the shades of the teeth, preventing them from “overexposure” - when the teeth become lighter than necessary (this is important, for example, if the teeth have an uneven color along the crown, there are age spots, and the teeth themselves are of different colors ). Thirdly, it causes a minimum of discomfort - during the bleaching period, the tissues adjacent to the enamel have time to adapt to its new structure, so such pain due to increased sensitivity of the teeth is minimized.

Let's take a closer look at how it works

Before the procedure, it is necessary to make a special mouthguard for the whitening gel. To do this, the doctor takes impressions and sends them to the dental laboratory, where the technician casts models on them and makes a transparent tray. This thing is also convenient because, in the future, the kappa can be used repeatedly, including for fluoridation of teeth.
This is how the casts and mouth guards made on them for the upper and lower jaws look like:

After the mouthguard is made, it is tried on and corrected. The doctor teaches the patient the rules of hygiene, diet, the use of a mouth guard, and also gives the required amount of whitening gel (as a rule, it is packaged either in syringes or in tubes according to the number of doses).

The patient wears a mouthguard with a whitening composition for several hours once or twice a day, observes oral hygiene and follows all the doctor's recommendations. In particular, at the time of bleaching, it is necessary to give up colored fruits and vegetables, juices, coffee, carbonated drinks, and smoking. Also, you can not use lipstick, especially men))).

A gradual change in the color of the teeth occurs within one and a half to two months. Since the shade changes slowly, the patient himself has the right to stop the procedure at any stage, when he considers that the desired result has already been achieved. This is the undoubted advantage of slow bleaching systems.

After the whitening is over, you need to contact your doctor for remineralizing therapy. As I wrote above, with any whitening, tooth enamel invariably changes its structure, so the teeth become sensitive to various external stimuli. This is what needs to be treated.

The mouthguard made earlier helps here very well. It is filled with a special remineralizing solution containing calcium and fluorine ions, dressed and worn for some time. Gradually, procedure after procedure, everything returns to normal.

For example, I will show you some before and after photos. This is a small part of the archive of our hygienists who have vast experience in teeth whitening. By the way, almost the entire female staff of our clinic went through this procedure, so we can say with full confidence: “Tested on myself!”.

Case one. A very sweet and beautiful girl, 21 years old, is finishing her oral cavity sanitation in our clinic and finally decided to make her teeth even more beautiful. On the left is the original version. On the right - two months after the application of the home whitening system:

Notice the dates in the corner of the photo. Just two weeks - and we get such a result.

Second case. This is one of our doctors. I have already said that almost all of our girls have experienced the home whitening system on themselves. On the left is the "before" photo, on the right is the "after".

Case three. And sometimes men also resort to bleaching. Here is the result of such work (unfortunately, there is no "before" photo):

Case three.
White teeth look beautiful at any age. The main thing is not to overdo it - it is very important that they look natural:

But what if only one tooth has an abnormal color, and all the other teeth have a normal shade?

Times of mass abuse of resorcinol-formalin dental treatment have left an entire generation of people with unnaturally pink teeth. Worst of all, if a lazy dentist thus “cured” the frontal group of teeth, forever repelling the patient’s desire to smile. Most often, such teeth are not subject to retreatment, due to their fragility.

How can the color of such teeth be corrected? Very easy, in fact.

First, the old filling is removed, a whitening compound (very similar to the one used in home whitening) is placed in the resulting cavity, the tooth is closed with a temporary filling and remains in this state for some time. Periodically, the gel is updated until the desired shade is obtained. The tooth is then covered with a permanent filling.

Thus, gradually we get beautiful teeth of the same color.

There are many options for using a whitening gel, and it can be used (in reasonable amounts) almost always when tooth color correction is required. Most of them manage to achieve the desired shades. In the case when the color of the tooth cannot be restored, it is possible to use veneers, crowns and semi-crowns, which we talked about earlier.

Conclusion…

Beauty requires sacrifice... Our task as doctors is to reduce these sacrifices to a minimum. In the end, shoes with high and super high heels are also not very useful, but many women (and men too) cannot imagine their lives without stilettos. Therefore, I can give only one advice - contact reliable, trusted specialists in well-known clinics. And consider what you now know about teeth whitening.

I wish you great health.

Sincerely, Stanislav Vasiliev.

Almost every person dreams of a beautiful snow-white smile. Getting it today is not as difficult as it seems at first glance. All you have to do is go to the dentist! Experienced doctors will offer several methods at once to whiten your teeth. Each has its own advantages, indications and contraindications. We will understand all the intricacies of teeth whitening at the dentist. Consider the features of the process at home.

Causes of enamel darkening

Almost all people naturally have light-colored enamel. But, unfortunately, over time, the color changes.

Enamel color is influenced by:

• products with a high content of pigments;
• violation of the rules of personal hygiene;
• diseases such as persistent plaque, fluorosis and caries.

Teeth often darken quickly in people who smoke a lot, are fond of tea and coffee, drink red wine and natural juices. Of course, the risks of enamel darkening can be reduced. You need to give up bad habits, drink coloring drinks only through a straw and reduce the amount of products with pigments. But are you ready to go for it? Probably not! That is why various methods of teeth whitening are becoming more and more popular. Of course, it's easier to go to the dentist than to give up your favorite products.

2 ways to lighten enamel

To whiten teeth today are used:

• professional ways;
• unprofessional methods.

Professional methods of teeth whitening in dentistry are as safe as possible and at the same time effective. All procedures are carried out in the dentist's office. You can also carry out additional enamel care at home.

Non-professional ways to lighten enamel involve independent actions of the patient at home. Usually, both special pastes and various gels and powders are used. Enamel brightening outside of dentistry is often unsafe. Procedures can cause an increase in the sensitivity of the elements of the dentition, the risk of developing caries and other pathological processes.

Who Should Seek Professional Help?

Tooth enamel whitening in dentistry has a number of indications.

These include:

• age-related color changes;
• darkening of the enamel from exposure to tobacco;
• frequent consumption of colored drinks and foods.

Also, people who have experienced mild or moderate fluorosis resort to teeth whitening.

In what cases is it better to refuse the procedure?

It is better to refuse from contacting a dentist in order to lighten the enamel when:

• periodontal disease and periodontitis;
• wearing braces;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• the presence of a large number of fillings on the front elements of the dentition.

• increased sensitivity of enamel;
• pronounced caries;
• individual intolerance to the compositions used in the process.

Before bleaching, be sure to consult a doctor. He will suggest you the appropriate technique and the best way. Be sure to tell your doctor about past illnesses, existing allergic reactions and other individual characteristics.

Basic methods and features of teeth whitening

All whitening techniques for the front teeth and the back elements of the row are divided into:

• chemical;
• mechanical.

In the chemical bleaching of enamel in dentistry, various liquids, solutions, strips and pencils are used. Usually the chemical method allows you to change the color by 3 or more tones.

Mechanical techniques are cleansing. They are carried out using powders and pastes. Such techniques are ideal for those whose enamel color is changed due to dark plaque.

Basic whitening methods

Laser teeth whitening

This technique is one of the most popular today. The procedure is performed using a laser, does not cause discomfort and takes only 20-30 minutes. After the end of the session, you may notice a lightening of the enamel by several tones. The effect of the procedure with proper dental care is maintained for a long time.

This technique also enjoys well-deserved popularity. Its impact is based on the use of a special system. Enamel lightening is achieved through the use of a gel with hydrogen peroxide. The procedure is also safe and does not cause discomfort.

It is carried out using various gels and a special lamp. The dentist quickly selects the composition that is right for you. The procedure lasts 30-90 minutes and allows you to achieve a pronounced effect.

There are also techniques that can be used not only in dentistry, but also at home. Modern systems are day and night. Usually, teeth whitening outside of dentistry consists in wearing a cap with a special preparation. Can such systems be trusted? It's up to you to decide!

Do not forget that you can whiten the dentition with the help of professional cleaning. The procedure allows you to remove soft plaque and hard deposits. Thanks to this, a slight lightening of the enamel to the natural color of your teeth is achieved.

Special attention deserves endodontic clarification of enamel. Such bleaching is carried out for "non-living" elements of the dentition. A special gel is applied to the dentin structure. As a result, the tooth is brightened. Usually clarification is 8-12 tones.

Why is it better to entrust the procedure to professionals?

Unprofessional methods often do not give the desired result. In addition, various complications may occur after the procedures.

Not all patients comply with the indications and recommendations of manufacturers of various formulations. As a result, the surface of the enamel acquires an uneven color. Fillings can generally drastically differ in color from natural enamel. Many patients experience severe discomfort after the procedure. The elements of the dentition begin to actively respond to hot and cold, sour and sweet. All this worsens the condition of the oral cavity and reduces the quality of life of the patient. Dental care becomes much more difficult in the future. Patients turn to doctors with complaints about the sensitivity of the enamel, they are forced to restore it for a long time, use expensive pastes and other means, and undergo special treatment.

Don't want to take risks? Save time and money!

See a doctor right away! He is guaranteed to select the appropriate technique that will definitely not harm you.

How to prolong the effect of the procedure?

Do you want whitening results to last as long as possible?

In the first 48 hours after the procedure, give up coloring foods: juices, carbonated drinks, wine, fresh fruits and vegetables.

Give up smoking for two days. Cut down on the number of cigarettes you smoke for 2 weeks after your procedure.

Pay close attention to hygiene. For cleaning, use not only a toothbrush and paste, but also a thread, irrigators. Apply special remineralizing gels.

At least once a year, go through a professional teeth cleaning procedure at the dentist.

Refuse too hot and cold food.

How often to undergo the procedure?

As a rule, the effect of whitening lasts for about 12-16 months. With proper oral care, you can extend it. The procedure can always be repeated. Nevertheless, experts do not recommend getting carried away with professional and home methods! Teeth whitening can hardly be called useful, although it does not have any pronounced harm if done correctly.

Enamel brightening can often be replaced by regular professional hygiene. Surely, you have noticed that after cleaning in the doctor's office, the enamel brightens. Keeping it that way is pretty easy. We have already listed all the recommendations above.

Enamel whitening quotes

The cost of procedures in Moscow depends on:

• the methodology used;
• used preparations and installations;
• duration of exposure;
• additional services.

Are you planning to use the help of professionals? Contact one of our clinics. Experienced doctors are able to quickly whiten enamel using modern high-quality products and equipment. Our specialists regularly carry out various procedures and have accumulated sufficient experience. They will quickly select the method that suits you, even if there are a large number of contraindications.

There are very few people who would not like to have a beautiful smile, but nature, unfortunately, bestows snow-white teeth on only a few lucky ones. Most people have to whiten their teeth. And not so long ago, most teeth whitening procedures were completely unsafe for health. Only thanks to the development of technology and dentistry as an independent branch of medicine, today you can whiten your teeth not only very quickly, but also without significant health risks.

Why do teeth become dark?

Take a look at children's teeth. They are naturally white in most cases, but darken over time. Why? The reasons why changes in the color of tooth enamel, lots of:

• Consumption of foods containing pigments that can stain enamel.
• Smoking.
• Excess alcohol consumption.
• Various diseases: caries, fluorosis, persistent plaque.
• Violation of the rules of personal hygiene.
• Age changes.

Whitening methods

Whiten your teeth today possible in different ways, which can be conditionally divided into the following groups:

Photobleaching

Today, for the most part, people are well aware that high-quality teeth whitening they can get only from professionals and therefore turn to dental clinics. They have at their disposal the latest equipment and technologies of modern dentistry, as well as the safest methods of professional whitening.

It should be said right away that the term “photobleaching” does not accurately reflect the essence of the procedure. The fact is that light can in no way affect the enamel. In this procedure, it is needed as an activator of a chemical reaction. The main work on teeth whitening is performed by special illuminating reagents.

The main component of the gel used for photobleaching is hydrogen peroxide. It is she who, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, turns into an active form of oxygen that can penetrate into the enamel and change its color.

Photobleaching takes place in several stages and, as a rule, the duration does not exceed 1 hour.

The effectiveness of photobleaching is quite high. In one visit to the dentist whiten teeth by 8 shades and the effect will last long enough, but only if the person's teeth by nature had a yellowish enamel. In the event that the enamel is naturally grayish, then the maximum result is a couple of tones.

The best result photobleaching gives if the patient got yellow teeth due to excessive consumption of coffee and smoking.

This procedure will give a minimal effect when the patient's teeth have changed color due to taking medications and an excess of fluoride in the water consumed.

Also, do not forget that approximately 5% of the population of our planet has a special composition of tooth enamel. Even modern dentistry cannot cope with the discoloration of such teeth.

Despite the fact that the technology of photobleaching is different high security However, do not forget about the possible side effects:

• Increased tooth sensitivity after the procedure for several days.
• Possible manifestation of an allergy to the components of the whitening gel.
• Irritation of mucous membranes.

How much does photobleaching cost? Prices for such procedures vary depending on the gel used, equipment, city and status of the dental clinic. In Moscow, the price of Beyond cold bleaching is on average at the level of 11,900 rubles.

This type of tooth enamel discoloration, in contrast to classical photobleaching, can help not only those with naturally yellowish teeth, but also those with naturally grayish enamel. The technologies of modern dentistry make it possible quickly, efficiently and safely.

Experts believe that this is the most gentle type of effect on enamel. In addition, the patient does not experience any discomfort during the procedure.

The procedure for laser whitening is as follows:

1. The surface of the teeth is cleaned of plaque and calculus, after which Smartbleach gel is applied to them. It is based on the same hydrogen peroxide.
2. The gel is activated when exposed to a laser. In this case, each tooth is treated with its own beam. The minimum exposure time is 2 minutes.
3. During the treatment of teeth with a laser, the gel is split into its component parts with the release of active oxygen, which penetrates into the enamel and neutralizes the coloring pigments.

The whole procedure takes an average no more than half an hour. At the same time, in one pass, you can lighten the enamel by 7 tones at once.

Laser whitening technologies in dentistry are constantly being improved. Just a few years ago, equipment was used that generated a laser with a wavelength of 488 and 514 nm, because of which the procedure took longer and required more sessions to achieve the desired result. Today, thanks to infrared and diode lasers with a wavelength of 810 nm, lengthy procedures have been reduced to a minimum. Moreover, new lasers allow to obtain more uniform enamel lightening.

The main disadvantage of laser whitening is the high cost of the procedure. How much does laser teeth whitening cost? In Moscow, obtaining the desired shade of tooth enamel using a laser will cost an average of 25,400 rubles. Expensive, but the price is fully paid off by the terms of maintaining the achieved effect - 4 years.

Zoom

This is another type of photobleaching of teeth, which can be considered completely safe. This technology is based on the same gel with hydrogen peroxide. Its activation on the surface of the teeth is carried out using a special lamp emitting in the ultraviolet spectrum.

This type of whitening gained its popularity due to its very high efficiency and long-term preservation of the achieved effect. In addition, for this procedure, drugs and equipment from one manufacturer are used, which negates the risk of complications. Finally, despite the fact that Zoom technology is professional, it is quite possible to use it at home. True, the effectiveness of such whitening will be somewhat lower than if it were carried out in a clinic. However, it is very convenient for many people.

In Moscow, for the Zoom whitening procedure using the Philips Zoom 3 system, they ask for 25,000 rubles. The high cost of bleaching is due to the need to make casts of the jaw and make a special cap.

As you can see, the cost of Zoom is comparable to laser whitening. Therefore, the choice of one or another type of tooth enamel lightening falls entirely on the shoulders of patients.

Chemical bleaching

Such whitening of tooth enamel can be carried out both in the clinic and at home. Moreover, in the latter case, it will still be considered professional if carried out under the supervision of a dentist.

In dentistry, despite the fact that the teeth can be damaged if the procedure is not done correctly, chemical methods of teeth whitening are positively regarded, since they give a guaranteed positive result.

The most popular chemical teeth whitening system is Opalescence system .

Opalescence

This is a gentle chemical bleaching technology developed by the American company Ultradent. Despite the sparing effect, such whitening can cope with the whitening of teeth affected by fluorosis, darkened due to the use of tetracycline, and discolored with age. Opalescence technology is also often used before installing dentures or veneers.

The advantages of such teeth whitening include the stability of the achieved effect, relative safety, and low cost. With comparable results, Opalescence is an order of magnitude lower than Zoom whitening. In Moscow, the prices for this procedure are at the level of 7,000 rubles.

Mechanical bleaching

This method of teeth whitening is considered the oldest. At its core, this is just professional dental hygiene. There are specialists in dentistry who do not consider mechanical bleaching to be whitening, even though the effect of the procedure is quite pronounced.

Mechanical removal of dark plaque from teeth is simple reveals the underlying enamel. That is, no destruction of the pigment that darkens the enamel occurs.

The Air-Flow method of physical teeth whitening is considered the most effective and popular method.

Air-Flow Teeth Whitening Method

This method of mechanical cleaning of enamel has been used in dentistry for a very long time. It replaced the traditional mechanical cleaning with dental instruments, which was not effective enough and traumatic.

The very name of the technology reveals the whole essence of whitening. Air-Flow is essentially a sandblasting machine, in which, instead of sand, a medical mixture is mixed with air. from purified water and special abrasive. This treatment solution is applied to the teeth under high pressure, which ensures fast and effective whitening.

An important point of Air-Flow is the absence of pain both during cleaning and after it. After the procedure, a special protective varnish is applied to the surface of the teeth to protect the enamel and consolidate the achieved effect.

It should be understood that such a procedure allows you to lighten your teeth, but will not make them snow-white. Enamel after Air-Flow will simply get the shade given to it by nature: yellowish or grayish. That is, to lighten the enamel, you will have to resort to chemical or photobleaching.

So why do so many people choose Air-Flow? The answer is simple - the price. How much does it cost to treat one tooth using Air-Flow technology? In Moscow for cleaning one tooth using this technology on average they ask 150 rubles. What is most interesting, people who have used Air-Flow, as a rule, do not resort to more expensive methods of teeth whitening in the future, since the result they are completely satisfied with.