Most people want white teeth, and the reason is quite simple: white teeth look very attractive and it’s a pleasure to show them off. Not everyone is naturally blessed with a bright tooth colour, and over time, teeth become discoloured due to the consumption of certain foods or stimulants such as tobacco, coffee, tea or red wine. Certain medications can also cause teeth to become discoloured. However, you don’t have to put up with this. Cosmetic dentistry, or cosmetic dental treatments and products, can help. A distinction is made between teeth whitening – commonly referred to simply as ‘bleaching’ – and cosmetic tooth whitening. As the difference is often unclear, we explain below what bleaching and tooth whitening are.
Bleaching (tooth bleaching)
The term 'bleaching' is commonly used and generally applies to all procedures that make teeth lighter. This is not entirely correct, as bleaching is only carried out at the dentist’s surgery or prepared there if it involves ‘home bleaching’. Teeth whitening involves the use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), which actually bleaches the tooth. For in-clinic teeth whitening (‘in-office whitening’), a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide is used, up to 40% depending on the procedure. With such a high concentration, the gums must be covered beforehand for protection, and a preliminary examination must ensure that there is no tooth decay present. Due to the high concentration of the peroxide and the additional activation with LED light, in-office bleaching achieves the most intense results. However, side effects cannot be ruled out. These mainly involve sensitivity to hot and cold, which does subside after a few days but can be very painful. Anyone wishing to avoid this should look for a dental practice that uses the in-office treatment PrevDent CrWR. This whitening treatment uses just 6% H2O2 and works in combination with nano-sized hydroxyapatite. Our tooth enamel consists largely of this mineral, and its addition gives the special whitening foam a remineralising and enamel-repairing effect. Even with this low concentration of H2O2, the teeth are effectively whitened, but the tooth is also strengthened, and side effects are virtually ruled out.
F&For at-home teeth whitening, the dentist will create thin plastic trays custom-fitted to your teeth, into which you apply peroxide gel yourself at home. You then wear these trays for either one to two hours in the evening or overnight. The treatment usually lasts two weeks.
As the tooth is actually bleached in both in-office and home whitening, the results can last for several years. This depends on your lifestyle and oral hygiene habits. The more staining substances come into contact with your teeth – for example, if you smoke or have poor dental hygiene – the faster the whiteness will fade.
L&If you have your teeth whitened in a clinic, you have the advantage that the treatment is completed in just one to two hours. For at-home teeth whitening, whether using whitening strips or a kit with whitening gel and a tray, you need to allow at least a week. At our clinic in Essen Rüttenscheid, we offer a range of treatments. Our gel whitens your teeth using active oxygen. We do not bleach your teeth, but rather remove stains from the tooth surface to restore your natural tooth colour. Our Supreme treatment offers the maximum whitening effect, with the gel left on for 20 minutes three times. The longer the gel is left on, the more likely we are to achieve your brightest natural tooth colour. Another plus is the excellent advice you’ll receive at our clinic. We’ll explain exactly what we do, what results can be achieved, and how to best care for your radiant smile so you can enjoy it for years to come. To get a clear idea of what a visit with us involves, please feel free to watch the video below. And if you don’t live near us, you can either use one of our great products at home or we can look together to see if one of our partner clinics is located in your area.