Teeth whitening

Whitening can improve the overall appearance of teeth. The dentist will evaluate the general condition of teeth before the whitening procedure – any cavities and inflamed gums must be treated and plaque and tartar removed. Then the teeth can be whitened.

This is a so-called bleaching process of teeth which makes the hard tissues of teeth lighter. Results can generally be seen after 1–3 weeks. As the natural colour of teeth and reasons for teeth whitening vary, it is difficult to say before the procedure how much exactly the teeth are whitened. The consistency of the results depends on oral hygiene and lifestyle. You should keep in mind that only your teeth can be whitened – the whitening gel does not affect fillings, crowns, or veneers.

Different options for teeth whitening

Whitening at the office

The advantages of whitening teeth at the office are speed, efficiency, safety, and faster results. In chemical whitening, the dentist uses a special gel or paste which contains active ingredients that penetrate the teeth and whiten them. The teeth are cleaned of plaque and the current teeth colour is determined before the procedure, followed by whitening. The first changes can be seen within one week, however, the final results appear after 2–3 weeks. 

Teeth can be sensitive to temperature, particularly cold immediately after the whitening procedure. Special gels (such as Biorepair) are recommended to speed up the remineralisation of the enamel after whitening.

In ZOOM-whitening, the efficient and safe ZOOM lamp is used for teeth whitening. The entire procedure is carried out at the clinic under the supervision of a trained specialist.  (The procedure is done in the Järve and Kaarli dental clinics).

Teeth whitening trays

Teeth whitening trays are a convenient option for home use. Special teeth whitening trays are prepared for the patient at the clinic based on the patient’s teeth. The patient takes the teeth whitening trays and whitening gel home. This method whitens teeth by 1–2 shades. If a patient already has teeth whitening trays, they can simply purchase more whitening gel to repeat the procedure.

Recommendations for days following teeth whitening

As teeth whitening is a chemical process, teeth can become sensitive for a short while. When using a teeth whitening tray, you should avoid pigmented foods and drinks for one day. When using ZOOM whitening, they should be avoided for at least two days.

Consult with a dentist or dental hygienist before teeth whitening

You should always consult a dentist or dental hygienist before teeth whitening and have the soda blasting procedure performed. You should also note that there are contraindications for teeth whitening – it should not be done in the case of tooth decay or oral or gum diseases. The procedure is also not recommended for children and women who are pregnant or nursing.