A radiant smile is one of the first symbols of beauty, health, youthfulness, and vitality that we notice in a person. Especially in today’s world, where great emphasis is placed on an aesthetic appeal in all aspects of life, it’s no surprise that aesthetic dentistry treatments are the most sought-after by our patients. One of the simplest treatments for achieving a visible change and a refreshed smile is teeth whitening.
Recently, we have seen a growing trend of using the so-called “DIY” teeth whitening methods at home, which often cause irreversible damage to tooth enamel. Therefore, to achieve the desired “Hollywood smile” effect, we recommend and propose treatments conducted under the watchful eye of a dentist, because the health of your teeth is our priority.
In addition to professional in-office teeth whitening, which we’ve mentioned earlier (Everything You Need to Know About Teeth Whitening: A Guide to a Radiant Smile), Nova Dental Clinic also offers another option – at-home teeth whitening using a gel containing 16% carbamide peroxide. This method involves creating a custom tray into which you apply the whitening gel and wear it for several hours at home, for as many days as your dentist recommends, to achieve optimal results. A common reason our patients choose at-home teeth whitening is that the custom tray can be reused whenever they wish to refresh their smile after a certain period.
What are the advantages of at-home teeth whitening?
- The treatment is quick and easy to perform independently
- You spend less time in the dental office
- It is more affordable than in-office whitening
- You can adjust the tray wearing time to your schedule
- Trays are reusable
- Results become visible relatively quickly after starting the treatment
- You have control over the level of whiteness you want to achieve!
What are the disadvantages of this treatment?
A strong gag reflex can make wearing whitening trays difficult.
The success of this treatment largely depends on your discipline and adherence to your dentist’s instructions
The degree of color change depends on the duration of contact between the whitening gel and the tooth surface. Shorter contact periods result in slower changes
Independently applying the gel and wearing trays for 4 hours a day can be challenging for patients, leading to a loss of motivation. According to one study, 50% of patients did not complete their at-home whitening treatment
Using too much gel and/or wearing the trays longer than recommended can cause tooth sensitivity.
When do we recommend at-home whitening?
- For stains caused by consuming pigmented foods and smoking
- For darker teeth in older patients
- For mild tooth discoloration caused by tetracycline antibiotics and mild tooth fluorosis
- For tooth darkening due to death of the tooth nerve, trauma, or endodontic treatments
- For patients who want a non-invasive improvement to their teeth’s appearance
- For young patients who want to lighten their naturally yellow tooth color
When will this treatment not yield desired results?
- For teeth with inadequate or outdated fillings that require replacement
- For severe discoloration caused by tetracycline antibiotics and significant fluorosis
- For congenital or acquired enamel defects
- For teeth damaged by bruxism and erosion
- For patients unwilling to commit to wearing whitening trays
- For patients with unrealistically high expectations for their smile transformation after the whitening treatment
- For teeth with surface or deep enamel cracks
- For teeth with pulp or periapical tissue disease
- For fractured and orthodontically misaligned teeth, where ceramic or composite veneers and crowns provide better results
- For pregnant or breastfeeding women
- For patients who smoke or consume significant amounts of pigmented foods – their whitening results greatly depend on adhering to instructions
- For teeth highly sensitive to cold, heat, and sweets
While sensitivity is not a reason to avoid this treatment, it is important to bear in mind that whitening can cause temporary tooth sensitivity to cold. In cases of sensitivity, we recommend treating the hypersensitivity first by applying protective agents or fillings to existing tooth defects. If you are not interested in the at-home whitening treatment, we suggest the following alternatives:
- In-office whitening under dentist supervision
- Ceramic or composite veneers
If you decide to undergo a whitening treatment, your visit to our clinic will include the following steps:
- A dental examination to determine the initial condition of the teeth to be whitened
- Cleaning the tooth surfaces of hard and soft plaque and stains
- Taking impressions for custom tray fabrication
- Testing the fit of the custom trays to ensure proper alignment on the patient’s teeth
- Providing the trays and whitening gel for at-home use, along with instructions for the self-whitening process
You can find detailed instructions for the treatment here. (ubaciti link na kućno bijeljenje na stranici).
The at-home whitening method is an excellent option for patients who want to control the level of whiteness they wish to achieve. However, it’s important to note that the whitening results depend significantly on following the dentist’s instructions regarding tray wear time, consistency, and avoiding pigmented foods and smoking during the treatment. Therefore, for those who are impatient, we often recommend in-office teeth whitening in the dental chair!
In conclusion…
Professional teeth whitening is a completely safe and proven method for achieving a white, radiant smile, regardless of the option you choose. At our clinic, you’ll receive advice and recommendations on the best whitening treatment for you! Welcome!
