Teeth whitening technology, as well as its advantages and disadvantages

Over the past 5 years, tooth whitening has become one of the most popular dental services in many countries of the world. In Russia, it took root for a relatively long time due to the high cost of equipment and the low solvency of the population, however, in recent years this procedure has also been recognized in our country, as evidenced by numerous reviews on the Internet.

On a note

By the way, not all customers are enthusiastic about the effectiveness and consequences of tooth whitening (we will talk about the reasons for this below). Moreover, there are quite deplorable stories. Therefore, before making a final decision about whether you need such a service, you should study the issue in more detail, figuring out whether the teeth whitening procedure is really worth the money spent on it, as well as what happens to the teeth and what negative aspects are in advance keep in mind.

To begin with, it is useful to know that tooth whitening is just one of the varieties of professional (cabinet) tooth enamel whitening, during which you can lighten it to 12 tones at one time with a dentist.

The principle of the procedure is quite simple: a gel applied to tooth enamel containing derivatives of hydrogen peroxide (or itself) provokes a chemical reaction with the simultaneous penetration of active components into the thickness of darkened enamel, and a special llama emitting special light is an effective catalyst for this process. It is under the influence of the lamp that pigments are oxidized faster and more actively inside the enamel staining the tooth.

Therefore, the price of tooth whitening is primarily tied to equipment for activating the whitening gel. The result and speed of enamel clarification, as well as safety for the oral cavity and teeth, largely depend on the properties of the lamps (or LEDs) used.

It is interesting

Surely you know that hydrogen peroxide has well-defined bleaching properties. So, if the bleaching process (of almost any colored substance) is carried out with simultaneous exposure to ultraviolet or just bright lamps, then the chemical reaction, or rather the photochemical reaction, will proceed much faster, and often its depth will also be higher (light quanta) contribute to the release of active oxygen from peroxides).

Here, in fact, these catalytic properties of light are used in practice when teeth are whitened. This is the key feature of the technology - the whitening effect is achieved much faster than if the process was conducted in the old manner, without the use of light from lamps.

 

Teeth whitening and its varieties

Currently, four types of photo-whitening of teeth are actively used, depending on the type of lamp used:

• Ultraviolet;
• Halogen;
• LED;
• Laser

The designs of some lamps include both halogen and LED radiation. Ultraviolet teeth whitening, popular about 5-7 years ago, is gradually losing ground due to the significant heat generation during the procedure, which threatens the heating of the tooth with the development, even in severe cases, of pulpitis. But laser tooth whitening, on the contrary, is becoming increasingly popular.

It is interesting

Nevertheless, it is not yet possible to completely abandon the ultraviolet radiation in dentistry.For example, a lamp with ultraviolet radiation at a wavelength of about 450 nm is used to cure the so-called “light” fillings. Does this cause tooth heating? Of course, yes, but the average curing time of one filling layer is only 15-20 seconds, while for teeth whitening, ultraviolet irradiation is necessary for 10-15 minutes continuously.

If you immediately touch the “light” seal with your tongue after curing with a lamp, you will notice that the seal has noticeably warmed up (largely due to the chemical reaction that occurs during curing). If the technique for working with the material is violated, for example, when a too thick layer of the filling is applied to the tooth and it is irradiated for a long time with an ultraviolet lamp, it can become very hot - right up to the thermal burn of the pulp with the transition to pulpitis.

Teeth whitening is carried out at the dentist’s appointment in several stages. A preparatory step for the photobleaching procedure itself is to conduct professional oral hygiene. Without this, no bleaching technique can be started. Generally speaking, mechanical cleaning of teeth from plaque and stone can also conditionally be called "whitening" (more precisely, bleaching), since in most people after this procedure the teeth already become much brighter.

After the preparatory stage, the enamel cleared of dental deposits is evaluated according to the standard scale of shades of tooth color and the initial color is fixed “before bleaching”, and then proceed to the second stage - the actual photobleaching procedure. At this stage, the mucous membranes are carefully insulated with special means: the lips and cheeks are isolated with the help of special films and napkins, and the gums are treated with protective compounds (liquid cofferdam, which forms a protective film when solidified). All this is necessary so that the aggressive whitening gel does not cause chemical burns of soft tissues.

On a note

Such thorough protection of the soft tissues of the oral cavity consists of a significant advantage of cabinet teeth whitening from similar home methods - using all kinds of whitening pencils, gel strips and cap. Very often there are reviews of people who, after applying bleaching agents at home, subsequently observed a rather terrible picture, when the burnt pieces of the gums literally exfoliated with rags.

At the third stage, an active gel is applied to the enamel surface of the dentition and irradiated with a lamp for 10-20 minutes. After removing the gel, the result is evaluated on a color scale, and if the result is insufficient, the procedure is repeated again. The main criterion for such a decision is the correlation of the additional effect of the continued manipulation with risk factors for tooth enamel (with each procedure, its demineralization and violation of the natural structure occur).

On average, all stages of the photobleaching procedure in total last about one hour. In case of insufficient enamel bleaching, the process can be repeated after about a week.

A classic of the genre is ultraviolet whitening. However, despite the rapid achievement of the whitening effect, there are many drawbacks to this option. In addition to the risk of overheating of the teeth, a burn of the lips and oral cavity can also occur, and in case of violation of the working technique, even hyperpigmentation (tanning) of the lower third of the face. In rare cases, the appearance of dermatitis, atrophy of the epidermis, as well as the development of malignant tumors.

A halogen installation is a device whose light source is a halogen lamp (that is, in fact, it is the same incandescent lamp, but an advanced one that can give a brighter light).

In the case of the so-called LED tooth whitening, quite powerful LEDs are used as light sources (give bright cold light).

With laser teeth whitening, you can not be afraid that this same laser will drill a hole in your teeth or somehow damage the enamel - the power of light radiation in this case is much lower than that of a surgical laser and its analogues.

 

Key Benefits Over Home Whitening Methods

Most home teeth whitening methods significantly inferior to cabinet photobleaching in terms of efficiency and safety. Perhaps the most dubious group of home whitening products are various whitening pencils, strips, and standard mouthguards that emit light, especially those made in China.

Every year, more and more cases of burns of the oral mucosa are recorded with the active components of strips and pencils, the exposure of which on the gums and mucous membranes of the lips (cheeks) can reach 20-30 minutes and even hours - with improper use, soft tissue necrosis during this time will be provided. The occurrence of gingivitis or inflammation of the marginal gum with the phenomena of bleeding can provoke even a high-quality home bleaching agent, since not everyone is able to ideally install, apply, fix the bleaching agents and control the process to the fullest. The consequences of such experiments can be different, up to the need for gum plastic surgery by a dental surgeon.

Feedback

“My teeth were naturally healthy, but only yellow. The girlfriend persuaded to try to whiten with whitening strips, so I chased a snow-white smile. I have not yet encountered such horror. I did everything according to the instructions, then I sat and suffered a burning sensation. And here is the result: as the teeth were yellow, they remained! But on the other hand, he burned his gum all over, his skin turned white and began to fall into pieces. The pads on the fingers even turned white. So I won’t advise anyone to spoil their health for their money ... ”

Catherine, Moscow

That is why cabinet photo-whitening of teeth, even despite the use of higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, is a safer procedure due to close monitoring by a specialist. Although it cannot be called absolutely safe, of course, either - because of the risk of a serious violation of the structure of the enamel during bleaching, which is often manifested by very severe pain in the teeth.

Additional advantages of teeth whitening over home methods:

• High efficiency - you can lighten the enamel to 10-12 tones, while when using bleaching products for home use, you can only dream about it (see the example in the photo below);
• High speed of obtaining the desired effect - no need to spend weeks on the regular use of ineffective means, it is enough to go to a specialist one or three times to get the desired result;
• The ability to immediately eliminate side effects from the procedure, in particular, increased sensitivity of enamel. This is achieved by the so-called remineralizing therapy - the enamel is saturated with lost mineral components (calcium, phosphorus, fluorine).
• The ability to simultaneously eliminate plaque and tartar, which generally has a very positive effect on the general hygiene situation in the oral cavity (fewer bacteria, less odor from the mouth, significantly lower risk of gum disease, etc.).

A number of experts identify in a separate group home whitening methods based on manufactured individual capes. This method of enamel whitening is characterized by increased safety: the whitening components of the gel have a lower concentration and are applied to an individual mouthguard made according to the dentist’s mold. At the same time, only the surface of the teeth is covered, with minimal risks of the gel leaking towards the gums.

The main disadvantage of this type of home whitening before cabinet photo-bleaching is the reduced speed to achieve maximum results. If it takes about an hour to lighten teeth by 5-7 or more shades using photobleaching, then achieving the same positive result with home use of cap from the dentist can only be done with the help of 3-4 or more procedures, often taking 1-2 weeks.

 

ZOOM Whitening System: Pros and Cons

Teeth whitening using the Zoom system was developed by Discus Dental, Inc., and is today one of the most popular types of whitening, in which halogen and LED lamps are used to activate a special gel.

The whitening gel applied to the enamel surface contains 32% hydrogen peroxide (this is a very high concentration). The components of the gel actively penetrate the surface layer of enamel, and thanks to the light of the lamp, organic substances coloring enamel are efficiently and fairly quickly discolored.

The effectiveness of photo-whitening teeth using the Zoom system can reach 10 shades in one go.

Let's now see what stages the procedure consists of:

• Before the procedure, the above-mentioned professional oral hygiene is carried out: plaque and stone are cleaned from all surfaces of the teeth.
• At the second stage, the oral mucosa is isolated with a special protective material.
• At the third stage, the surface of the teeth is treated with a whitening gel and a special lamp is brought in to activate its components. Under the influence of light from a lamp, active oxygen is released from the gel, which is capable of oxidizing pigments staining enamel. One procedure lasts about 15 minutes, but to achieve high results, it may take another 2-3 sessions on the same day.
• After removing the whitening gel from the enamel surface, the dentist carries out its fluorination with saturated fluorine-containing compounds. As with other types of photobleaching, the doctor warns about the possible sensitivity of the teeth, which can last several days, as well as about the methods of its prevention and treatment.

After teeth whitening using Zoom technology, a so-called “white” diet is necessarily prescribed: drinks and products that can stain tooth enamel (wine, chocolate, cognac, etc.) are excluded, and it is strictly forbidden to smoke.

The advantages of teeth whitening according to the Zoom system:

• High aesthetic effect in just 1 visit to the dentist (often you can lighten the enamel by more than 8-10 shades);
• Saving time (a session lasts no more than 1 hour);
• Long-lasting whitening effect, subject to a white diet: from 1-2 years and even more;
• The relative safety of the procedure itself, subject to strict adherence to the instructions.

The photo below shows how teeth can look before and after photo-bleaching using the Zoom method:

However, it is also worth mentioning the disadvantages of this technology:

• High prices for the service;
• Great risks of developing an increased sensitivity of the enamel (especially in people who have initially “thin” enamel - see the review below);
• The need to follow a “white” diet for several years (by the way, few people are ready in practice to refuse coffee or cigarettes for a snow-white smile);
• The need for mandatory restoration of the damaged enamel structure with the help of remineralizing and fluorine-containing drugs. And most often a course treatment is required;
• In rare cases, the effect of uneven teeth whitening stains.

Feedback

“A month ago, I went to a paid clinic in Moscow to treat a pair of molars, and they offered me to do photobleaching. The doctor was so courteous and pleasant that I had no doubt that everything would be OK, well, maybe just a little ... The procedure lasted about 30 minutes. She lifted my lips and cheeks with some rubber thing, applied gel and began to shine in my teeth with a light bulb.At the end, we compared the results before and after photobleaching, I was satisfied with the color, said thank you and went outside. It was January. As soon as I tried to smile, I was shot in pain from the cold air, so I came to the house with my mouth closed.

In short, the sensitivity has still not passed, although I brushed my teeth with fluoride paste and rinsed with a tool for sensitive teeth. But in general, it is possible to endure, and there is no such sharp pain: if something is very cold I swallow or I start to brush my teeth hard. And I am very pleased with the color, it is what I wanted, one might say - Hollywood. Well, beauty probably requires sacrifice. ”

Marina, Kazan

 

Contraindications to teeth whitening

From a professional point of view, it is advisable to highlight the absolute and relative contraindications to photobleaching. The first category refers to cases when the procedure is categorically not possible, even if the client really wants (or wants a doctor, from a commercial point of view) - in order to avoid causing serious harm to health.

These include:

• Intolerance to the components of bleaching agents (allergy and its severe forms: Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock);
• Pregnancy and the period of feeding;
• Pathological abrasion of enamel, severe erosion, wedge-shaped defects. Photo-whitening with such non-carious lesions of the teeth can lead to persistent enamel sensitivity, which can create the prerequisites for the removal of pulp (“nerve”) from a large number of “innocent” teeth;
• Orthodontic treatment. When correcting a bite with the help of bracket systems, bleaching is incorrect neither from the point of view of logic (most often the locks and plates are attached to the outside of the teeth), nor from the point of view of medical considerations - after removal of the structure, the enamel will be spotted.

Relative contraindications for teeth whitening:

• Age to 18 years. From the point of view of common sense, it is categorically not recommended to whiten teeth up to 15-16 years. Under certain conditions, photo-bleaching can be performed at 16-17 years of age, but taking into account the individual characteristics of a person;
• The presence of caries in the client and its complications (pulpitis, periodontitis), acute forms of gum disease. In such cases, bleaching can be carried out only after rehabilitation of the oral cavity;
• The presence of a large number of fillings on the front teeth or violation of the fit of the seal. It is possible to carry out bleaching if the fillings are without disturbances, but after photo-bleaching they will look much darker (like “patches”) and with high probability all of them will need to be replaced. If the seal does not adhere during the photo-bleaching procedure, sharp tooth pain may occur when the gel penetrates under the seal, which is fraught even with drug pulpitis (because if you do not take measures, then hydrogen peroxide will inevitably lead to pulp necrosis).

Feedback

“I did photobleaching last year in America. The enamel I got from my dad was strong, good, but yellowish. The procedure was painless, sat under the lamp with blue light as comfortable as possible. The doctor warned me that in the early days there may be discomfort in the teeth, but it was not there. Either the enamel turned out to be so invulnerable, or fluoridation of the teeth after the procedure helped, but there was no pain. The result struck me: the teeth became the same white color as in youth. True, this color lasted only a few months, because after 2-3 months I could not stand it and went all the way (anniversary after anniversary): wine, cognac, good cigars, hookah. It was a shame to see yellowed teeth again, so a couple of months ago I did a ZOO again, I will sit on clarified juices, milk, water and rice, but it’s beautiful. This, my dears, is worth it. ”

Anna Maria, Moscow

 

Complications after photobleaching: when to be patient, and when to see a doctor as soon as possible

It should be understood that photo-whitening of teeth is a cosmetic procedure that is more related to the category of beauty and perfection, but far from medicine and health. A number of specialists generally equate this procedure with breast augmentation, nose, lip, etc. correction, the list goes on and on.

Therefore, before signing up for photo-teeth whitening (whatever it is - even the most modern, using LEDs, or even laser), you need to consult your relatives and friends, listen to feedback from “experienced” ones, evaluate the pros and cons, see the results "before and after". And then make a decision: is it worth violating the natural natural structure of enamel for the beauty of your smile? ..

If the desire for beauty outweighs the obvious risks of the procedure, it is important to be prepared for possible complications after photobleaching.

The first place in the ranking of complications after tooth whitening, as eloquently testified by numerous reviews on the Internet, is occupied by increased tooth sensitivity. Moreover, someone will only be lucky to walk around with a tooth sensitivity from cold, hot, etc. for a couple of days, and for some, the feeling of sharp pain in the teeth can be found right in the dentist’s chair under the light of the lamp used to activate the whitening gel.

If very severe pain occurs in the doctor’s chair, it makes sense to immediately abandon further sessions, due to the fact that this will not only turn into a painful conscious damage to the enamel, but can also create real prerequisites for the need to remove the pulp from some teeth (for example when the gel penetrates the old fillings).

After the photo-whitening procedure, the dentist will conduct a course of remineralization and (or) fluorination of enamel, as well as prescribe home remedies for the prevention and treatment of teeth from hypersensitivity: pastes, gels, etc. In cases where the painful sensitivity does not go away for more than 4-5 days, or the teeth hurt so that painkillers are required, it is urgent to consult a dentist for help.

Feedback

“I did this very Zoom today. It took three sessions of 15 minutes each, but I stopped this unhealthy bacchanalia at the beginning of the second session, about the fifth minute. Just told the doctor to keep up with my teeth. At that moment it was terribly painful, the teeth began to hurt terribly and whine under a layer of gel. The dentist persuaded for a long time to continue the procedure, but the next time that everything settles down. The stump is clear, give her the money, but I still want to live with my teeth. So I do not recommend this business to anyone; better take good whitening pastes. Yes, I forgot to say about color: after this photo-horror, the teeth became clearly lighter, but the whiteness was somehow unnatural, and even the enamel flaws became visible. My personal advice: think carefully before climbing the embrasure ... "

Olga, Krasnoyarsk

Other possible complications after tooth whitening:

• The effect of uneven (inhomogeneous) teeth whitening, that is, stains. Heterogeneous enamel whitening occurs due to the different activity of the components of the whitening gel in different areas on the tooth surface.
• The fillings on the teeth after the procedure sometimes look like patches and may need to be replaced.
• In rare cases, serious burns of the oral mucosa and gums, especially the marginal, are possible. If gum hyperemia occurs after bleaching, then such light burns go away without treatment. In more severe cases, even gum plastic and its long recovery may be required.

With gross violations of technology and the use of dubious quality of bleaching agents, serious enamel injury is possible, up to chips immediately after the procedure.The result of this can be not only an aesthetic defect, but also intolerable pains, the relief of which is possible only after tooth treatment with filling, or even after preliminary extraction of the “nerve” from the canal.

 

Teeth whitening cost

The price for the teeth whitening procedure is formed taking into account the following factors:

1. The cost of the equipment and materials used. At the moment, even the purchase of consumables (whitening gels, insulating materials, fluorinating drugs, etc.), taking into account that almost 100% are imported drugs, flies in the penny of any clinic, therefore, the pricing is appropriate. In other words, the price will be quite high.
2. The rating of the clinic and the associated cost of its promotion. It is not worth explaining that the more the clinic spent money on its name, the higher the cost of its services will be, including for teeth whitening.
3. Qualification and professionalism of specialists working in the clinic. Due to the high level of knowledge, skills and mastery (gained through hard work), the dentist can minimize risks and make the photo-whitening procedure comfortable for the client and as safe as possible. Also, do not forget that only a doctor who is interested in preserving the patient’s health will be able to individually select alternative photo-bleaching methods to make a smile more beautiful (veneers, lumineers), to improve the enamel color indices without harm to her if teeth whitening is strictly contraindicated . Only for this you have to pay good money.

On average, the cost of teeth whitening today is in the range of 6-8 to 20-25 thousand rubles, depending on the clinic.

 

Interesting video about Zoom teeth whitening system Zoom

 

An expert on the important nuances of the teeth whitening and lightening procedure