Photobleaching. An expert on the important nuances of teeth whitening and lightening procedures. Main advantages over home whitening methods
The word "photos", which is the basis of the name of the teeth whitening method, comes from Greek language and makes it clear that photo whitening of teeth occurs with the help of light. It turns out that our teeth tend to be “transparent” by ultraviolet, LED and halogen lamps. But their light alone is not able to affect the color of teeth. In photo teeth whitening, the main role belongs to chemical substances that are part of the gel used during the procedure and are activated under the influence of light from a lamp: oxygen is released from the gel during the procedure, breaking down dark spots on the teeth.
How does photo teeth whitening work?
Today you can quite easily find information about photobleaching, reviews about the procedure, as well as “instructions for use.” So, let's figure out how the session goes?
The photobleaching procedure consists of several stages:
- examination and consultation of the patient. Assessment of tooth color using a special Vita scale;
- installation of a retractor (mouth opener) so that the cheeks do not interfere with access to the teeth;
- cleaning teeth from plaque;
- applying a gel to the gums that protects them from exposure to the rays of the lamp;
- applying a whitening gel to the teeth, which contains a light-activated catalyst;
- installation of a photo lamp;
- applying remineralizing paste to teeth to reduce the risk of hypersensitivity teeth.
Photo teeth whitening is usually carried out in three stages, each lasting 20 minutes. It all depends on the color of the tooth enamel. After each stage, the gel is removed from the teeth and a new layer is applied.
The fact that teeth have become whiter can be seen immediately after the procedure. But their final shade is established a few days after photobleaching. If the patient wishes to improve the result, the procedure can be repeated. The doctor may also suggest a system home whitening teeth.
On a note. There is a small percentage of people whose tooth enamel is not affected by whitening procedures due to anatomical features.
With photo-bleaching, it is easier to lighten teeth with a yellowish tint, while grayish ones are more difficult to treat. Pigment spots are also more difficult to remove than stains from smoking or coffee. Fillings and crowns do not change color during photobleaching, so they will have to be changed after the procedure.
One of the important advantages of the photobleaching method is its painlessness. During the procedure, increased tooth sensitivity may occur, which usually goes away within a couple of days.
Is special care needed after the procedure?
After photo whitening, teeth do not require special care. Regular daily is enough hygiene procedures. Also, before the final shade of the teeth is established, the patient is recommended to use the so-called “transparent diet”: exclusion of “coloring” foods, black tea, coffee and cigarettes from the diet.
Efficiency of photobleaching
If you are wondering how effective photo teeth whitening is, reviews from those who have undergone it will not be of much help. The color fastness after the procedure, as well as the effectiveness of whitening, depend on the individual characteristics of the tooth enamel.
Modern photo teeth whitening, reviews of which can be easily found on the Internet, is carried out using innovative hardware techniques. Today you can whiten sensitive teeth, with chips and cracks in the enamel and even exposed roots. Modern whitening techniques have medicinal properties. That is, it is possible to restore damaged enamel.
As for the duration of the effect, it can last from 1 to 3 years. But, if you follow all the dentist’s recommendations, the results of whitening can be maintained for a longer period.
Photo teeth whitening Beyond Polus
The most modern photobleaching technique today is the Beyond Polus multifunctional system. Whitening occurs under the influence of powerful light emitted by a plasma arc system and built-in LEDs.
Beyond Polus photo teeth whitening makes it possible to simultaneously affect both jaws. At the same time, each tooth is whitened separately, which increases the accuracy and quality of the results. The system's filters prevent the temperature of ultraviolet radiation from increasing, ensuring patient comfort and safety. Moreover, Beyond Polus photo whitening of teeth occurs at a lower temperature due to the use of the latest optical technologies. This helps to avoid overheating of the pulp.
The procedure removes many years of plaque from tobacco, coffee and the use of certain medicines. At the same time, teeth become whiter by an average of 8 shades or more. Photo teeth whitening Beyond Polus is rightfully considered the most effective and safe today. This best option for those who want to get a snow-white smile without wasting time and inconvenience.
Contraindications and side effects
Like every method, photo whitening of teeth has some contraindications and risks. Reviews negative character talk about the appearance of tooth sensitivity. A preliminary dental examination in order to detect possible gum diseases and untreated caries will help solve this problem. Similar problems must be eliminated before the photobleaching procedure.
Also, to prevent tooth sensitivity after the procedure, it is recommended to apply a special remineralizing paste to the teeth.
Photo teeth whitening is contraindicated:
- patients under 20 years of age;
- women during pregnancy and lactation;
- people who have allergic reaction on the gel component;
- with tooth hypersensitivity;
- with untreated caries;
- with increased wear of the dentition.
Many people are naturally interested in the risks associated with a procedure such as photo teeth whitening. Reviews on this matter most often concern overheating of the pulp and its further necrotization, which can result from the carelessness and inexperience of the doctor, as well as the use of outdated equipment.
Therefore, when deciding on whitening, clarify all the nuances associated with the qualifications of the specialist and the availability of modern equipment for the procedure.
Many people know the meaning of the Greek word “photos”, so they guess that light is involved in photobleaching. But what role does he play? Maybe this will be a discovery for some, but teeth are “translucent” with the usual halogen, ultraviolet or LED lamps. Can they change the color of teeth? Obviously not. Photobleaching involves the use of a special gel with 30–35% hydrogen peroxide, the effect of which is enhanced by light, which significantly speeds up the bleaching process.
How does photo teeth whitening work?
One photo-bleaching session takes about an hour. First, the dentist determines the color of the patient's teeth using a standardized VITA scale. He then places a buccal retractor, which allows for better access to the dental arches. A special protective composition is applied to the gums, and a whitening gel is applied to the teeth. Then both dental arches are irradiated with a lamp for 15 to 30 minutes. After this, the “spent” gel is washed off, and, if necessary, a new layer is applied to the enamel, and the procedure is repeated. If the patient is dissatisfied with the newly acquired color of the teeth or wants to enhance the result obtained, then he may be recommended to repeat the photo-whitening procedure or additionally use a home whitening system.
Efficiency of photobleaching
You can usually whiten your teeth several shades. But the results of whitening, as well as its durability, regardless of the technique, are always individual. In many ways, the achieved effect depends on the natural shade of the teeth and the reasons for its change. For example, teeth yellow color White ones are more prone to lightening than gray ones. A coffee or cigarette lover is more likely to be satisfied with the result, but someone with tetracycline teeth or fluorosis will probably waste their time and money. Therefore, if you are interested in the issue of effectiveness, then reviews from friends and colleagues about photo teeth whitening are unlikely to be useful to you. “I want teeth whiter than my girlfriend’s!” – such a request should not be made even to the best specialist. If you need a guaranteed result, it makes sense to think about installing lumineers, which quite effectively solve the problem of yellow teeth.
Photos before and after photo teeth whitening
Photo whitening and tooth sensitivity
As a result of exposure chemical substances And high temperature Increased tooth sensitivity may occur. The solution to this problem is proper preparation for photobleaching. Before the procedure, the dentist must conduct an examination of the oral cavity in order to identify the presence of chips and cracks, caries, gum disease and other factors that may be a contraindication to whitening and must first be eliminated. In addition, before photo-whitening, professional hygiene and remotherapy are recommended, as well as the use of special pastes that eliminate hypersensitive teeth.
There are many ways to make your teeth lighter. But what is the best teeth whitening? This article is the answer to this question.
At first glance, it is enough to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of one or another type of whitening in order to understand which technology is better. In reality, things are a little more complicated. The fact is that each person's teeth are individual. Therefore, a final conclusion about the effectiveness of enamel lightening technology can only be taken into account the feedback from patients in dental clinics.
Professional whitening
What we see in the search results in the browser in response to the request: best whitening teeth? Hundreds, and maybe thousands of thematic pages with advice from incomprehensible “specialists”, and sometimes outright charlatans, recommending the best teeth whitening. At the same time, the advertised systems must definitely be used at home. Naturally, you should not trust such advisers, since home teeth whitening is safe and effective cannot compare with professional.
My teeth are naturally yellow. For a long time I didn’t dare make them lighter, but then the whitening strips caught my eye. The advertisement on the packaging promised excellent results, so I fell for it. I did everything according to the instructions. My teeth actually became a little lighter, but along the way I burned my gums in strips. They were sick for a long time afterwards. A few months later I went to the dentist. Only at the clinic did I get good whitening.
Ekaterina, Moscow
What is the best whitening?
Dentistry offers several systems professional whitening teeth. All of them are good. All have advantages and disadvantages. So which system should you choose? The one that gives the most advantages and the least disadvantages. Therefore, each system should be assessed according to the following parameters:
- Safety.
- Efficiency.
- Speed.
Photobleaching
It's relative new method of enamel lightening, allowing you to work safely even with sensitive teeth. Exposed roots, cracked enamel and even chips are not a hindrance when photobleaching, since this technology has therapeutic effect and helps restore damaged enamel. Reviews of this technology are overwhelmingly positive.
During dental treatment at the clinic, the dentist suggested that after completing the procedures I could lighten my teeth with photo-bleaching. I agreed. The whole procedure took 30 minutes and gave an excellent result. The only drawback is that the sensitivity of the teeth has increased. The doctor said it will go away over time.
Marina, Moscow
Photo whitening is carried out using a gel applied to the teeth. His dentist irradiates him special lamp. Ultraviolet light activates active substances in the gel, due to which the enamel lightens.
Photobleaching has the following advantages:
When photobleaching, you should not be afraid for ceramic, metal and plastic prostheses. They will not change their color.
The advantages of photobleaching also include the low cost of the procedure.
Chemical bleaching
Frankly, the chemical method not much different from photobleaching. In both cases, a special whitening gel is used. But with the chemical method, no catalyst is required to activate the gel.
Chemical bleaching gives positive effect only if there are no composite, ceramic or polymer inserts on the teeth. The fact is that the gel can only work with natural dentin. You should also take into account the natural color of tooth enamel. When whitening yellowish teeth, this method gives good result, and here Brown color poorly amenable to chemical influence. Grayish enamel chemical method does not bleach at all.
The main advantage of chemical bleaching is no heating of teeth.
Every year I do chemical teeth whitening in the clinic. I love coffee very much, so I have to repeat the procedure often. I am quite pleased with the result, but after the fifth procedure my teeth became too sensitive.
Mikhail, Orel
Mechanical and ultrasonic whitening
Such lightening gives a good result, but it cannot be called full bleaching. The fact is that mechanical methods can only remove deposits from the surface of the teeth. Essentially this is professional cleaning teeth.
The most famous mechanical whitening technology is AirFlow. It looks like this: to the patient’s teeth nozzle is brought in, from which a mixture of water, air and very fine abrasive is supplied under pressure. This jet quickly removes all excess from the enamel and returns it to its original color.
Ultrasonic whitening is a more expensive option than mechanical whitening. With this cleaning method, the risk of damage to the enamel is minimal.
Mechanical and ultrasonic lightening does not make the enamel lighter than it was naturally.
Whitened teeth with ultrasound. The result is good. Along the way, the doctor cleaned the gum pockets. This is important for me because sore gums- my problem.
Angelina, Saransk
At its core laser lightening is a type of photobleaching. However, due to the fact that the catalyst for the active gel is a laser, dentists separately highlight this whitening system. The laser allows doctors to more precisely influence each tooth individually. That is, the entire lightening process becomes completely controlled, which cannot be said about chemical and photo bleaching.
Using laser beam damage to enamel or soft tissue is excluded oral cavity. The procedure is completely painless and allows short term get a very good result.
Advantages of the laser method:
- This procedure strengthens the enamel.
- The laser is safe.
- Doesn't take much time.
- Gives good results.
- Possesses bactericidal effect and serves as an excellent prevention of caries.
- Long shelf life results achieved– up to 10 years.
There is only one drawback to laser whitening - high cost of the procedure.
I decided to leave a review. I went through five laser whitening procedures: I wanted to get maximum lightening and I got it. Friends told me that the procedure was quite unpleasant. Everything went fine for me. If laser whitening causes discomfort, then I advise you to change your doctor. Good luck to all.
Maxim, Nizhny Novgorod
Conclusion
It's time to sum it up. This article reviewed the most common whitening systems. Exotic and home options for lightening enamel were not considered. What conclusion can be drawn by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of all the methods considered? It's obvious. Based on the combination of pros and cons the best way Dentists themselves consider laser whitening to be a whitening method. It allows cope with any variant of darkened enamel, has no restrictions, completely safe. Of course, this type of whitening is the most expensive, but the result is worth the money spent.
Over the past 5 years, photo teeth whitening has become one of the most popular dental services in many countries of the world. In Russia, it took a relatively long time to take root due to the high cost of equipment and the low solvency of the population, but last years this procedure has gained recognition in our country, as evidenced by numerous reviews on the Internet.
On a note
By the way, not all clients have enthusiastic reviews about the effectiveness and consequences of photo-teeth whitening (we will talk about the reasons for this below). Moreover, there are some pretty sad 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 photo teeth whitening procedure is really worth the money spent on it, as well as what happens to the teeth and what negative points It's worth keeping in mind in advance.
To begin with, it is useful to know that photo whitening of teeth is just one of the types of professional (office) whitening of tooth enamel, during which you can lighten it up to 12 tones in one visit to a dentist.
The principle of the procedure is quite simple: applied to tooth enamel a gel containing derivatives of hydrogen peroxide (or itself) provokes a chemical reaction with simultaneous penetration of active components into the thickness of darkened enamel, and an effective catalyst this process is a special lama that emits a special light. It is under the influence of the lamp that the oxidation of pigments inside the enamel that stains the tooth occurs faster and more actively.
Therefore, the price of photo teeth whitening is primarily tied to the equipment for activating the whitening gel. The results and speed of enamel lightening, as well as safety for the oral cavity and teeth, largely depend on the properties of the lamps (or LEDs) used.
This is interesting
Surely you know that hydrogen peroxide has pronounced bleaching properties. So, if the process of bleaching (of almost any colored substance) is carried out while simultaneously being exposed to light from ultraviolet or simply bright lamps, then the chemical reaction, or more correctly, the photochemical reaction, will proceed much faster, and often the depth of its occurrence will also be higher (light quanta promote the release of active oxygen from peroxides).
It is, in fact, these catalytic properties of light that are used in practice for photo whitening of teeth. This is the key feature of the technology - the whitening effect is achieved much faster than if the process was carried out the old fashioned way, without the use of lamp light.
Photo teeth whitening and its types
Currently, four types of photo teeth whitening are actively used, depending on the type of lamps used:
- Ultraviolet;
- Halogen;
- LED;
- Laser.
Some lamp designs provide both halogen and LED radiation. Teeth whitening with ultraviolet light, which was popular about 5-7 years ago, is gradually losing ground due to the significant heat generated during the procedure, creating a threat of heating the tooth with the development of severe cases even pulpitis. But laser teeth whitening, on the contrary, is gradually becoming more and more popular.
This is interesting
However, it is not yet possible to completely abandon ultraviolet radiation in dentistry. For example, to cure so-called “light” fillings, a lamp with ultraviolet radiation wavelength about 450 nm. Does this cause heating of the tooth? Of course, yes, but the average curing time for one layer of filling is only 15-20 seconds, while teeth whitening requires ultraviolet irradiation for 10-15 minutes continuously.
If you immediately touch the “light” filling with your tongue after curing with a lamp, you will notice that the filling has noticeably warmed up (largely due to the leakage during curing chemical reaction). If the technique of working with the material is violated, for example, when applying too thick a layer of filling to the tooth and irradiating it for a long time ultraviolet lamp, it can heat up very much - up to a thermal burn of the pulp with transition to pulpitis.
Photo-whitening of teeth is carried out at a dentist’s appointment in several stages. The preparatory stage for the photobleaching procedure itself is professional oral hygiene. Without this, you cannot start any whitening technique. Generally speaking, mechanical cleaning
removal of plaque and tartar from teeth can also be conditionally called “whitening” (more precisely, lightening), since for most people, after such a procedure, the teeth already become much lighter. After preparatory stage The enamel, cleared of dental deposits, is assessed according to a standard scale of tooth color shades and the original color “before bleaching” is fixed, and then the second stage is started - the photo-whitening procedure itself. At this stage, careful isolation of mucous membranes is carried out by special means : lips and cheeks are isolated using special films and napkins, and the gums are treated with protective compounds (liquid rubber dam, which, when hardened, forms a protective film). All this is necessary so that the aggressive whitening gel does not cause chemical burns
On a note
Such careful protection of the soft tissues of the oral cavity is a significant advantage of in-office teeth whitening over similar home methods - using all kinds of whitening pencils, gel strips and trays. Quite often there are reviews from people who, after applying bleaching agents at home, subsequently observed a rather terrible picture when burnt pieces of gum literally peeled off in flaps.
At the third stage, the active gel is applied to the surface of the enamel of the teeth and irradiated with a lamp for 10-20 minutes. After removing the gel, the result obtained is assessed 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 additional effect from continuing manipulations with risk factors for tooth enamel (with each procedure, its demineralization occurs and the natural structure is disrupted).
On average, all stages of the photobleaching procedure together last about one hour. In case of insufficient enamel whitening, the process can be repeated after about a week.
Ultraviolet whitening is considered a classic of the genre. However, despite the rapid achievement of the whitening effect, this option has many disadvantages. In addition to the risk of overheating of the teeth, burns of the lips and oral cavity may also occur, and if the work technique is violated, even hyperpigmentation (tanning) of the lower third of the face. IN in rare cases the appearance of dermatitis, atrophy of the epidermis, as well as the development of malignant tumors is possible.
A halogen installation is a device in which the light source is a halogen lamp (that is, in essence, it is the same incandescent lamp, but improved, capable of producing brighter light).
In the case of so-called LED photo-whitening of teeth, fairly powerful LEDs are used as light sources (they give a bright, cold light).
With laser teeth whitening, you don’t have to worry that this same laser will drill a hole in your teeth or somehow damage the enamel - the power of light radiation is in this case much lower than surgical laser and its analogues.
Main advantages over home whitening methods
Most home whitening is significantly inferior to office photobleaching in terms of effectiveness and safety. Perhaps the most dubious group of home whitening products are the various light-emitting whitening sticks, strips, and standard trays, especially those manufactured in China.
Every year, more and more cases of burns of the oral mucosa are recorded. active ingredients strips and pencils, the exposure of which on the gums and mucous membranes of the lips (cheeks) can reach 20-30 minutes or even an hour - if used incorrectly, soft tissue necrosis will be ensured during this time. The occurrence of gingivitis or inflammation of the marginal gum with symptoms of its bleeding can be provoked even by a high-quality home whitening agent, since not every person is able to perfectly install, apply, fix whitening agents and fully control the process. The consequences of such experiments can be different, up to the need for gum plastic surgery by a dental surgeon.
“My teeth were naturally healthy, but they were just yellow. A friend persuaded me to try whitening with whitening strips, so I chased a snow-white smile. I have never encountered such horror before. I did everything according to the instructions, then sat and endured the burning sensation. And here is the result: the teeth remained yellow as they were! But I burned my entire gum, the skin turned white and began to come off in pieces. The pads on my fingers even turned white. So I won’t advise anyone to ruin their health for their own money...”
Ekaterina, Moscow
This is why in-office photo-whitening of teeth, even despite the use of higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, is more safe procedure due to careful monitoring by a specialist. Although, of course, it cannot be called absolutely safe either - due to the risk of serious damage to the enamel structure during whitening, which often manifests itself in very severe pain in the teeth.
Additional advantages of photo teeth whitening over home methods:
A number of experts highlight separate group methods of home whitening based on manufactured individual trays. This method of enamel whitening is characterized by increased safety: the whitening components of the gel have a lower concentration and are applied on an individual tray made from a dental impression of the teeth. In this case, only the surface of the teeth is covered, with minimal risk of gel leakage towards the gums.
The main disadvantage of this type of home whitening over in-office photo whitening is the reduced speed of achieving maximum results. If it takes about an hour to lighten teeth by 5-7 or more shades using photo-bleaching, then the same positive result can be achieved by using mouth guards from a dentist at home only through the efforts of 3-4 or more procedures, often taking 1-2 weeks.
ZOOM whitening system: pros and cons
Zoom photo teeth whitening was developed by Discus Dental, Inc., and is one of the most popular types of teeth whitening today, using halogen and LED lamps to activate a special gel.
The whitening gel applied to the enamel surface contains 32% hydrogen peroxide (this is quite high concentration). The components of the gel actively penetrate into surface layer enamel, and thanks to the light of the lamp, organic substances that stain the enamel are effectively and fairly quickly discolored.
The effectiveness of photo teeth whitening using the Zoom system can reach 10 shades in one session.
Let's now see what stages the procedure consists of:
- Before the procedure, the above-mentioned professional hygiene oral cavity: clean plaque and tartar 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 whitening gel and a special lamp is supplied to activate its components. Under the influence of lamp light, active oxygen is released from the gel, which can oxidize the pigments that color the enamel. One procedure lasts about 15 minutes, but to achieve good results, another 2-3 sessions may be required on the same day.
- After removing the whitening gel from the surface of the enamel, the dentist fluoridates it with saturated fluoride-containing compounds. As with other types of photo-whitening, the doctor warns about possible tooth sensitivity, which can last for several days, as well as methods for its prevention and treatment.
After teeth whitening using Zoom technology, a so-called “white” diet is necessarily prescribed: drinks and foods that can stain tooth enamel again (wine, chocolate, cognac, etc.) are excluded, and smoking is strictly prohibited.
Advantages of teeth whitening using the Zoom system:
- High aesthetic effect in just 1 visit to the dentist (it is often possible to lighten the enamel by more than 8-10 shades);
- Time saving (the session lasts no more than 1 hour);
- Long-lasting whitening effect provided you follow a white diet: from 1-2 years or even more;
- The relative safety of the procedure itself, provided that the instructions are strictly followed.
The photo below shows what teeth may look like before and after Zoom photo whitening:
However, it is also worth mentioning the disadvantages of this technology:
- High prices for the service;
- Greater risks of developing enamel hypersensitivity (especially in people who initially have “thin” enamel - see the review below);
- The need to follow a “white” diet for several years (by the way, few people in practice are ready to give up for the sake of snow-white smile from coffee or cigarettes);
- The need for mandatory restoration of the damaged enamel structure with the help of remineralizing and fluoride-containing drugs. Moreover, most often a course of treatment is required;
- In rare cases, the effect of uneven whitening of teeth by spots.
“A month ago I went to paid clinic in Moscow to treat a couple of molars, that’s where I was offered photo whitening. The doctor was so courteous and pleasant that I didn’t even doubt that everything would be OK, maybe just a little... The procedure lasted about 30 minutes. She lifted my lips and cheeks with some kind of rubber thing, applied the gel and began shining a light bulb into my teeth. At the end, we compared the results before and after photo-bleaching, I was pleased with the color, said thank you and went outside. It was January. As soon as I tried to smile, pain shot through me from the cold air, so I walked home with my mouth closed.
In short, the sensitivity still hasn’t gone away, although I brushed my teeth with fluoride paste and rinsed with a product for sensitive teeth. But, in general, you can endure it, and there is no such sharp pain: if I swallow something very cold or start brushing my teeth hard. And I’m very pleased with the color, it’s what I wanted, one might say – Hollywood. Well, beauty probably requires sacrifice.”
Marina, Kazan
Contraindications to photo teeth whitening
From a professional point of view, it is advisable to highlight absolute and relative contraindications for photo teeth whitening. The first category concerns cases when the procedure absolutely cannot be performed, even if the client really wants it (or the doctor wants it, from a commercial point of view) - in order to avoid harm grievous harm health.
These include:
- Intolerance to the components of bleaching products (allergy and its severe forms: Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock);
- Pregnancy and lactation period;
- Pathological abrasion of enamel, severe erosion, wedge-shaped defects. Photobleaching for such non-carious lesions of the teeth can lead to persistent sensitivity of the enamel, which can create preconditions for the removal of the pulp (“nerve”) from large quantities“innocent” teeth;
- Orthodontic treatment. When correcting a bite using braces, whitening is not correct from a logical point of view (most often, clasps and plates are attached with outside teeth), nor from the point of view of medical reasons - after removing the structure, the enamel will be spotty.
Relative contraindications to photo teeth whitening:
- Age up to 18 years. From the point of view of common sense, it is categorically not recommended to whiten teeth before the age of 15-16. Under certain conditions, it is possible to carry out photobleaching at the age of 16-17, but taking into account individual characteristics person;
- The client has caries and its complications (pulpitis, periodontitis), sharp forms inflammation of the gums. In such cases, whitening can be carried out only after sanitation of the oral cavity;
- The presence of a large number of fillings on the front teeth or a violation of the seal. It is possible to carry out bleaching if the fillings are intact, but after photo-bleaching they will look much darker (like “patches”) and with high probability you will need to replace them all. If the seal does not fit properly during the photobleaching procedure, it may occur. sharp pain in a tooth when the gel penetrates under the filling, which can even lead to drug-induced pulpitis (after all, if measures are not taken, hydrogen peroxide will inevitably lead to pulp necrosis).
“I had photobleaching done last year in America. The enamel I got from my dad is strong, good, but yellowish. The procedure was painless, I sat under the blue light lamp as comfortably as possible. The doctor warned me that in the first days there might be discomfort in the teeth, but there was none. 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 amazed me: my teeth became the same white like in my youth. True, this color lasted only a few months, since after 2-3 months I could not stand it and went on a rampage (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 ZOOM again, I’ll be stuck on clarified juices, milk, water and rice, but it’s beautiful. This, my dears, is worth it."
Anna-Maria, Moscow
Complications after photobleaching: when you can be patient and when you should consult a doctor as soon as possible
It should be understood that photo whitening of teeth is cosmetic procedure, which belongs more to the category of beauty and perfection, but far from medicine and health. A number of experts generally equate this procedure to breast augmentation, correction of the nose, lips, etc., the list can be continued endlessly.
Therefore, before you sign up for photo teeth whitening (whatever it may be - even the most modern one, using LEDs, or even laser), you need to consult with your family and friends, listen to reviews from “experienced” people, evaluate the pros and cons, and see the results "before and after". And then make a decision: is it worth disturbing the natural structure of the enamel for the sake of the beauty of your smile?..
If the desire for beauty outweighs the obvious risks of the procedure, then it is important to be prepared for possible complications after photobleaching.
The first place in the ranking of complications after photo-whitening of teeth, as eloquently evidenced by numerous reviews on the Internet, is occupied by increased sensitivity of teeth. Moreover, some are lucky enough to only experience tooth sensitivity for a couple of days from cold, hot, etc., and for some, a feeling of sharp pain in their teeth can occur right in the dentist’s chair under the light of a lamp used to activate the whitening gel.
If very severe pain occurs in the doctor’s chair, then it makes sense to immediately refuse further sessions, due to the fact that this will not only turn into painful conscious damage to the enamel, but can also create real preconditions for the need to remove pulp from some teeth (for example when the gel penetrates under old fillings).
After the teeth photo-whitening procedure, the dentist will conduct a course of remineralization and (or) fluoridation of the enamel, and will also prescribe home remedies for the prevention and treatment of dental hypersensitivity: pastes, gels, etc. In cases where painful sensitivity does not go away for more than 4-5 days, or your teeth hurt so much that painkillers are required, you should urgently consult a dentist for help.
“I did this same Zoom today. It was necessary to carry out three sessions of 15 minutes each, but I stopped this unhealthy bacchanalia at the beginning of the second session, at about the fifth minute. I just told the doctor to leave my teeth alone. At that moment it was terribly painful, my teeth began to ache terribly and ache under the layer of gel. The dentist spent a long time trying to persuade her to continue the procedure, but already next time when everything settles down. The stump is clear, give her the money, but I still want to live with my teeth. So I don’t recommend this to anyone; it’s better to take good whitening pastes. Yes, I forgot to say about the color: after this photo-horror, the teeth became clearly lighter, but the whiteness was somehow unnatural, and the imperfections of the enamel became visible. My personal advice: Think carefully before you climb into the embrasure..."
Olga, Krasnoyarsk
Other possible complications after photo teeth whitening:
- The effect of uneven (non-uniform) teeth whitening, that is, spots. Inhomogeneous enamel whitening occurs due to different activities of the components of the whitening gel in different zones on the surface of the tooth.
- After the procedure, existing fillings on teeth sometimes look like patches and may require replacement.
- In rare cases, serious burns of the oral mucosa and gums, especially the marginal ones, are possible. If gum hyperemia occurs after bleaching, then such minor burns will go away on their own without treatment. In more severe cases, even gum surgery and long-term recovery may be required.
In case of gross violations of technology and application of dubious quality bleaching agents possible serious injury enamel, even to the point of chipping immediately after the procedure. The result of this can be not only an aesthetic defect, but also unbearable pain, the relief of which is possible only after treatment of the tooth with filling, or even after preliminary extraction of the “nerve” from the canal.
Cost of photo teeth whitening
The price for the photo teeth whitening procedure is determined taking into account the following factors:
On average, the cost of photo teeth whitening today ranges from 6-8 to 20-25 thousand rubles, depending on the clinic.
Interesting video about the Zoom photo teeth whitening system
An expert on the important nuances of teeth whitening and lightening procedures
Photobleaching is modern technique which is carried out using special solutions and gels activated by a special ultraviolet, LED, halogen or laser lamp.
This technique provides the ability to lighten enamel up to 12 tones in one visit. Depending on the structure of the teeth, patients can lighten the enamel in one visit, or undergo a more gentle course of three procedures. Lightening with ultraviolet light usually gives a clearly visible result.
The principle of teeth whitening using special lamps is simple - it is used special solution, the activity of which is increased by exposing it to ultraviolet or other type of radiation with a wavelength of about 450 nm.
The gel contains hydrogen peroxide or its derivatives, active oxidizing agents. These substances penetrate into the surface layer of the enamel, and then decompose there under the influence of lamps into water (or another neutral substance) and atomic oxygen, which reacts with the pigment, oxidizing and lightening it.
Advantages and disadvantages of the technique
Photobleaching has a number of advantages relative to others:
But along with the advantages, this technique has some disadvantages:
- Relatively expensive. Photobleaching requires expensive equipment, which makes this method more expensive than other methods.
- Development . In some patients, due to weak mineralization of the enamel or its small thickness, bleaching leads to the development of hyperesthesia. However, this can be avoided if the doctor first and also prescribes pastes containing strontium () for morning cleansing.
- Violation of operating rules or Using unsuitable lamps can cause burns to the pulp and even. If the doctor uses a lamp that can strongly heat the tissue, this is fraught with the development of thermal pulpitis, since exposure to ultraviolet light for bleaching is at least 15 minutes. Such a serious complication can be caused, first of all, by the use of lamps for curing fillings instead of special lamps for teeth whitening.
What lamps are used?
4 types of lamps are used: 
- LED— safe for use, as they do not heat tissue; you can lighten the enamel by 5-7 tones after 3 procedures of 8 minutes each; an example of such a system is Luma Cool;
- laser they use radiation in the range of 488-514 nm, they additionally increase the density of the enamel up to 40% and allow it to be lightened by 7-10 tones in one visit (laser beams are used by the Beyond whitening system);
- halogen lamps in combination with LED are used in the system;
- ultraviolet— the most effective, but unsafe systems that can overheat tissues; in one session it is possible to lighten up to 10 tones, in particular ultra-violet rays used in the bleaching system.
How is everything going?
The whitening technology depends on the peroxide gel used, as well as the type of lamp used. However, preparation for teeth whitening always follows the same scheme:
- The doctor tells the patient about the cost of this or that type of whitening, its effectiveness and possible consequences.
- The doctor interviews the patient and conducts an examination, based on which he determines the initial state of the enamel. At this stage, it is possible to conduct a TER test showing the degree of mineralization.
- Based on the data obtained, the doctor determines whether there are contraindications to teeth whitening, and which method will be the most effective and safe. After this, the doctor gives the patient recommendations regarding the procedure itself and preparation for it.
- After desired method chosen, the doctor talks about possible complications, dietary features and other precautions after bleaching.
- Before the procedure begins, the doctor removes it. This is a mandatory stage of preparation; after it, some patients experience enamel lightening by 1-2 tones.
The whitening process itself depends on the light system used.
- glasses are put on the patient's eyes to protect the retina from UV rays;
- after this, the oral cavity is prepared - the lips are covered with a special balm, a cheek balm and napkins are installed that will protect the lips and cheeks.
- the doctor applies liquid to the gum, which after exposure to a photopolymerizing lamp will become a rubber-like consistency;
- a special composition is applied to the teeth - Beyond ll, Beyond Max whitening gel;
- After this, the Beyond lamp is directed to the oral cavity, exposure to light is carried out for 12 minutes, the whole procedure takes place in 3 stages.
For lightening using Zoom technology, the doctor:
- prepares the oral cavity and puts on protective glasses on the patient's eyes, a buccal retractor, napkins, and liquid rubber dam are also used;
- Applies the gel to all surfaces of the upper teeth and lower jaw; in addition to peroxide compounds, the product contains amorphous calcium phosphate, which makes the effect on enamel less aggressive;
- produces light activation of the gel, illumination duration is 15 minutes, after which the gel is applied and activated with light 2 more times; Thus, total duration procedures - 45 minutes.
When using the Luma Cool system, the doctor:
- puts protective glasses on the patient, and also carefully isolates the oral mucosa using a retractor, napkins and liquid rubber dam;
- applies whitening gel;
- The lamp of the device is installed so that the teeth of the upper and lower jaw are illuminated;
- exposure under the lamp lasts 8 minutes, after which the cycle is repeated 2 more times; The total duration of the whitening procedure is 24 minutes.
Which method to choose: review of results and reviews
When choosing a whitening method important role plays the degree of darkening of the enamel and its thickness, as well as the degree of mineralization.
For slight lightening of enamel or when it is weakly mineralized, LED or halogen whitening is suitable. LED and laser treatments are considered the most gentle.
For teeth with strong pigmentation and large thickness of enamel, ultraviolet enamel whitening is suitable, which allows you to get the most pronounced and fastest effect.
Our photo gallery of patients before and after the procedure, as well as their reviews, will help you evaluate the effectiveness, as well as compare the results after using all the methods used for photo teeth whitening.
About 3 months ago I decided it was time to say goodbye to my yellow teeth - ugly, especially for a girl. After reading about in various ways bleaching, determined by light.
After I arrived at the clinic, the doctor told me clearly about how the procedure would be carried out, what dietary restrictions should be, and what consequences might arise. But I was determined.
After the procedure, I compared the color of the enamel with the “BEFORE” photo, and was pleasantly surprised - my teeth became much whiter! A few days after whitening it was a little painful from the cold, but I followed the recommendations - I used toothpaste for sensitive teeth, avoided coloring products. And thanks to this, I still enjoy the effect of this procedure. I am very pleased, because now I am 100% confident in myself.
Nina, 29
I agreed to teeth whitening with ultraviolet light. My teeth were, of course, not porcelain white, but light, just as I wanted. The first days the pain from the cold was severe, I had to see a doctor to have her teeth coated with fluoride varnish.
After this there are almost no problems. Now 4 months have passed. My teeth have darkened a little, but this is because I don’t adhere to a strict diet. And so - super, for an important event, and to please yourself - just right!
Lena, 31
I whitened my teeth two days ago. My enamel is thick, but yellow. I immediately asked the doctor to coat the enamel with varnish after the procedure. I can say that although my teeth sometimes hurt, I don’t have anything as bad as some people write. The enamel became whiter, although not quite snow-white.
I am now on a diet, I do not eat or drink coloring foods, and I brush my teeth with fluoride paste. Sometimes it's a little if you eat ice cream, but you can put up with it. Or don’t eat ice cream... But there’s a lot of positivity! I don’t understand why I didn’t do this before?); after the procedure, as well as use.
Price
Depending on the equipment used, the price for photobleaching ranges from 6-8 to 25 thousand rubles.
