Power-bleaching
Bleaching is a gentle but effective method of whitening using bleaching agents that are placed inside a soft synthetic bar. It can be done in several sessions at home (home bleaching) or using the Brightsmile laser method during one session at the clinic (office bleaching).
What is power-bleaching?
Power-bleaching is a very efficient therapy for whitening the teeth to achieve a harmonious, attractive, radiant white smile. It can only be done by a dentist.
Why do teeth get discoloured?
- Due to ageing
- Due to pigmentation following several years of consuming tea, coffee, red wine, tobacco
- After a root canal treatment
- Due to the ingestion of antibiotics (tetracycline) during the development phase of the teeth
- As a consequence of an overdose of fluorides
How is bleaching performed?
The teeth are cleaned professionally, since this method will give optimum results only in the case of clean teeth free from plaque and tartar. The gums are insulated using protective lac, so that only the teeth remain exposed. A bleaching gel (15% carbamide peroxide) is applied to the surface of the teeth. The teeth are irradiated for 20 minutes with an intense plasma light, and the bleaching agent is rinsed off after that. This treatment is repeated three times, after that the teeth are treated with a fluoride gel.
What exactly happens?
A highly concentrated bleaching gel is activated by light or heat. This releases active free radicals that have an oxidising effect on the pigmentation in the teeth. The result is that the pigments will be released, thereby whitening the teeth.
Prognosis
For 24 hours immediately following the bleaching, strongly pigmenting food and beverages (black tea, coffee, beetroot, curry, berries, coloured mouthwashes, etc.) should be avoided. Even smoking should be stopped. The bleaching effect lasts for about three years.
Side effects
There could be temporarily hypersensitive cervical areas and irritations of the gum.