Bleaching

What is bleaching?

Bleaching is a method used in modern dentistry to gently whiten individual teeth or entire rows of teeth. Special bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide are used in this procedure. This allows tooth discoloration that has accumulated over time to be removed. There are many reasons why the color of our teeth changes over time. Experts distinguish between two types of discoloration: extrinsic (external) and intrinsic (internal). Extrinsic discolorations are deposits on the tooth surface that absorb dyes and then harden due to mineral deposits, among other things. Red fruit juices, red wine, coffee, tobacco and curry dishes in particular contain these colorants (chromophores). In addition, metal-containing medications and disinfectant solutions can lead to discoloration that is sometimes difficult to remove. Intrinsic discoloration means that the cause of the discoloration is to be found within the tooth structure. The causes of this type of discoloration vary, including coloring material in the dentin, diseases of the hematopoietic system or malnutrition (e.g. lack of vitamins, calcium, phosphate). Adolescent teeth are naturally “whiter” than the teeth of adults and older people because the pulp physiologically shrinks over the years and the teeth gradually become more and more yellowish-brownish in the depth of the tooth structure and discoloring changes in the crystal structures occur. The tooth consists of several layers (i.e. dentin on the inside, enamel on the outside and root dentin on any exposed tooth necks) and various parts such as the crown with the incisal edges on the front teeth, a tooth neck and a root. Inside lies the pulp, also known as the pulp, on top of which is the yellowish dentin. The tooth is coated in enamel, the hardest substance in the body. As there are no nerves in the enamel, it is not sensitive to pain. However, if the enamel is lost or becomes defective, it cannot renew itself. Tooth enamel consists of so-called enamel crystals, which produce a shimmering effect when light hits them. Over time, certain colorants are deposited, which consist of protein chains or protein chains with double bonds, for example. These absorb the light at a certain wavelength and make the teeth appear colored. The bleaching agents used oxidize these dyes and the teeth lose their discoloured color.

Who is bleaching suitable for?

Well-preserved teeth and healthy gums are an important prerequisite for bleaching. The teeth should have no or only small fillings, should not be too sensitive to cold or hot and should not be affected by deep pain cracks in the enamel. In the case of decayed teeth and leaking fillings, the bleaching agent could penetrate the tooth and damage the tooth substance. In addition, fillings, ceramic or plastic veneers such as crowns, bridges and dentures cannot be bleached, as only the natural tooth structure can be whitened. If fixed braces are worn, the dentist cannot carry out bleaching. If gum disease or periodontal disease is present, teeth whitening in the affected area is also ruled out. If you have an allergy to bleaching agents, bleaching is not suitable for you.

Furthermore, bleaching should not be carried out on children and adolescents under the age of 18. Teeth develop until adulthood and bleaching treatment could potentially damage the dental nerve as the enamel has not yet fully matured. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not have their teeth whitened either, as the gums are better supplied with blood during pregnancy due to hormones and are looser, which is why they can be damaged more easily.

Over time, the enamel becomes thinner and the yellowish dentin shines through more and more. For this reason, bleaching is no longer as successful with age, as the color of the dentin can be changed less.

What does the bleaching procedure look like?

There are various methods of application:

• Home bleaching

With home bleaching, a custom-fit plastic tray is made, which adapts perfectly to your teeth after taking an impression and making a model. The tray is filled with a whitening gel containing peroxide, which is given to you by your dentist. As a rule, the concentration of this gel is between ten and twenty percent peroxide. Depending on your individual situation and the concentration, you will wear the trays for between one and eight hours. Five to seven treatments are usually sufficient to achieve the desired tooth color. In the case of stubborn discoloration, 15 or more treatments may often be necessary. Home bleaching is particularly helpful when the entire dental arch needs to be slightly whitened.

• In-office bleaching (power bleaching)

Preparations with a much higher concentration are used here. To begin with, the dentist covers the gums with a rubber-like coating (rubber dam) or a flowable material (gingiva protector) to protect the gums from the whitening agent. The whitening agent is then applied directly to the teeth to be whitened and left to work. Sometimes bleaching lamps are used with some whitening gels to intensify the effect by means of light irradiation. If you are still not satisfied with the tooth color after the treatment, the procedure can be repeated. In most cases, one or two treatments are required for a first-time tooth whitening to achieve a permanent result. The power bleaching method is usually used to whiten individual vital (i.e. living) teeth or to speed up the bleaching process.

• Walking lead technique

If there is internal tooth discoloration, e.g. after root canal treatment, the dentist uses the walking bleach technique. He first opens the upper area of the root canal to introduce the bleaching agent. He then closes the opening temporarily. About a week later, he opens the tooth again, removes the whitening agent and replaces it with a fresh agent. This procedure is repeated around two to three times until the desired effect has been achieved. However, more than four treatments are not recommended, as otherwise the tooth structure is weakened too much. At the end of the whitening treatment, the dentist closes the tooth permanently.

• DIY bleaching

A large number of over-the-counter bleaching products have been on the market for some time, including so-called “phone bleaching”, bleaching gels (with trays), bleaching strips and bleaching toothpastes. Although these appear to be effective in most cases, they are dispensed without any diagnostics. In addition, many dentists and experts advise against using these products, as teeth should only be whitened under medical supervision. In contrast to over-the-counter teeth whitening products, with professional teeth whitening in the dental practice you can expect a careful assessment followed by a treatment tailored to your individual requirements, as well as advice and information from a specialist.

Is pain possible during bleaching?

Painful sensitivity to the bleaching agent can sometimes occur during treatment. Freshly treated teeth usually react sensitively to heat and cold stimuli as well as sweet and sour foods, which can sometimes be painful. These symptoms are usually short-lived and subside after two to three days at the latest. Dentists often prevent increased tooth sensitivity by fluoridating the teeth after treatment. If pain occurs during home bleaching, it may be necessary to shorten the wearing time of the dental splint. In both cases, you should contact your dentist.

What should I look out for after bleaching?

After the treatment, dentists advise a so-called bleaching diet. This means that you should avoid coloring foods such as coffee, tea, turmeric or red wine for the first 24 hours after bleaching in the dental practice. You should also avoid acidic foods such as orange juice. These can put additional strain on the tooth by dissolving minerals from the tooth structure. During home bleaching, the consumption of such foods should be reduced as much as possible for the entire duration of the treatment.

How long does the effect of bleaching last?

The durability of the whitening effect depends on the method used, individual consumption patterns and the quantity and quality of the patient’s oral hygiene. As a rule, it lasts for three to five years. If you have your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis, this will help the whitening effect last longer. Unfavorable habits, such as heavy smoking, can cause teeth to darken after several months. However, the treatment can be repeated for medical reasons. Refresher treatments are usually much gentler than the initial bleaching, as a smaller amount of bleaching agent has to be used due to the pre-bleached teeth.

How much does bleaching cost?

Due to the advertising guidelines in Austria, we are not allowed to give any prices here. The cost of a bleaching treatment varies depending on the time and materials required and is determined by the dentist. The dental team will tell you how much you will have to pay during your consultation. The decisive factor for the costs is the area to be treated, as individual teeth cost less than the entire dental arch. Among the treatment methods, the walking bleaching method is the most cost-effective, followed by the home bleaching method. In-office bleaching is the most expensive but also the most effective. The initial shade of the teeth is also decisive for the price, as the more shades that need to be whitened during bleaching, the longer the treatment time and the higher the costs. The total cost is made up of the material, the method, the number of teeth and the professional tooth cleaning before bleaching. If additional treatments are added, such as replacing fillings to match the color of the bleached teeth, the costs increase even more.

This is what you can expect from us. After a detailed analysis of your needs and wishes, we will work with you to develop a treatment plan to achieve the defined goals. Depending on the initial situation of your teeth, we will use the bleaching procedures or combined methods that can provide you with the optimum result in the long term. We take an individual approach and work together with you to achieve beautiful, natural, white teeth and a radiant smile.