WHITENING - INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS
In our dentist's surgery we perform whitening with immediate method (dental surgery) or with using the onlay splint (for the night). Both methods allow in a similar way to whiten teeth with few tones. We prefer the onlay method which is safer and giving better effects to the opalescence but requires a bit of the patience on the part of the patient.
INFORMATION FOR THE PATIENT
THE DISADVANTAGES BEHIND WHITENING PROCEDURE
It is true that whitening of teeth is a procedure having been applied for c 10 years in Poland, however in Western European countries, particularly in the United States, these procedures have been performed for at least 50 years, so all biological phenomena accompanying whitening are quite well recognised. Whitening with means used by us, of renowned companies like e.g. Opalescence from Ultradent company, containing the carbamide peroxide or the hydrogen peroxide isn't harmful, doesn't cause chemical changes in the tooth structure, isn't weakening its immunity to tooth decay, as well as it doesn't cause an inflammatory condition of the pulp of teeth. A majority of structural elements of the tooth is a mineral matter - oxides, and atomic oxygen produced while whitening DOES NOT DO ANY HARM.
We don't conceal the fact that not all discolourations are possible to be removed - we speak here especially about discolourations after tetracyclines absorbed in the course of the childhood (during development of teeth). We mention that to make patients aware of unnecessary expenses.
ADVERSE REACTIONS
At individuals with teeth sensitive to stimuli, a few hours after whitening, peculiarly after immediate method, and with taking high-grade preparations, there may occur the feeling of oversensitivity which goes away after a few consecutive hours. At present we recommend patients special pastes to use , 2 weeks before the treatment.
Irritating of gums by whitening preparation can be other unwanted effect, if the patient too administers it for too long to the onlay surface. Preparation instead of contacting the surface of the tooth he goes out to gums and is deposited there for many hours. Such coincidences are an extremely rare occurrence, and if it does happen, the scalded gums are healing in 1-2 days. It is important that the patient exactly follows doctor's orders.
Differences between whitening teeth at the dentist's surgery and the method of whitening with pastes purchased in pharmacies and chemist's shops
Pastes contain scrubbing chemicals: silicas, diamond dust, soda which polish the surface of teeth and remove deposits from their surface. If their repeated use provides satisfying effect to the patient, one should apply it about for a month and then to pass to pastes with fluoride. Longer applying of these pastes is threatening with the abrasion (damaging) of surface of teeth which is being manifested with losses in the region of dental necks. In particular persons who have uncovered necks of teeth, i.e. these places which no longer are being protected with hard glaze must avoid wiping off pastes, sold as so-called 'whitening pastes'. Professional whitening consists in releasing straight controlled chemical processes within discolourations which penetrate into the structure of teeth. Our teeth as a result of the ageing and the "poor treatment collect into their micropores organic compounds from coffee, tea, wine, cola, red and orange juices etc. Acting with our preparations we cause the change of complicated organic compounds into CO2 and H2O, that is chemically, a process is safe and predictable, and the colour of teeth is becoming lighter.
How to act before the treatment?
The dentist must exactly check the state of fillings - they cannot be leaky, since undesirable symptoms can take place.
How to act after the treatment?
One should avoid staining foods and drinks for at least 2 weeks. Places of removed discolourations should be filled up with the mineral matter strengthening the glaze being in saliva or provided the care by pastes and rinses.
Do other methods of whitening exist?
There exist the methods of whitening with the laser, diode lamps and the like. They are methods of immediate whitening using arranged preparations so that during the irradiation a 30% arises hydrogen peroxide, which is the actual whitening substance.
Will dead teeth also whiten?
Dead teeth are also whitened, if their discolouration results from preparations used to the interior, then they require other internal type of whitening. Porcelain bridges, crowns and fillings won't certainly whiten, therefore after whitening it is worthwhile exchanging fillings visible at the front to brighter ones. It is done not earlier than 2 weeks upon completion of whitening, because only after such a period colour and translucence of teeth have settled.
METHODS OF WHITENING
Whitening with onlay method
The patient has impressions of his teeth carried out in the dentist's surgery. On their base, in the laboratory there are prepared individual thin, transparent onlays. He receives them during another visit along with the kit of syringes of whitening preparation of 10% or 15% concentration depending on the sensitivity of teeth. We are trying on onlays for him and we inform how to administer gel. Whitening is best at night, wearing onlays a few hours is best in a day. After two applications the difference is already visible. But gel is most often enough for 2 weeks. Onlays serve the patient for a long time. If necessary it is possible to administer preparation against post-procedural oversensitivity. After the year the patient can repeat whitening (1-2 applications are enough in order to keep the effect). To onlays, it is also possible to administer preparations containing fluoride for the purpose of the prevention of tooth decay. Everything of course after establishing the procedure with one's dental surgeon
Immediate whitening
Before the treatment the patient must have very well cleaned teeth. Doctor spreads light-cured gel for the protection of gums. Next with preparation containing containing 30% hydrogen peroxide, he covers the teeth of the patient. The treatment lasts c 40 min. With time to achieve the desired effect it is necessary to repeat it on another visit.
Whitening of dead teeth
It is possible to lighten not all kinds of discolourations of the tooth using traditional external way. Teeth which changed their colour as a consequence of endodontic treatment (canal), after trauma, or for other unknown reasons require applying internal whitening procedure. (see the article "whitening of dead teeth").