Teeth whitening or dental bleaching is a simple procedure done to remove intrinsic stains and alter the light reflecting nature of the enamel to make your teeth look whiter and brighter.

Let us review the different types of dental bleaching:

In-office external teeth whitening

This type of whitening is done in one appointment. It is done in the clinic and depends mainly on a bleaching gel of a high concentration of hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent for whitening the teeth. The gums will be totally isolated during this procedure to prevent any irritation.

In-office whitening can be performed using bleaching gel alone or bleaching gel and light (Laser or LED).

Be aware that repeated teeth bleaching can cause teeth sensitivity.

Home external teeth whitening

This type of whitening is usually done in 14 days. First, the dentist has to take impressions of your teeth in order to make well-fitted trays for the application of the bleaching gel at home.

The bleaching gel contains a lower concentration (of carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) than the gel used for in-office whitening to prevent any gum irritation if used properly. It is applied to the facial surface of the trays which are worn for an hour a day for 14 days.

Internal whitening of a non-vital tooth

It is used to whiten a non-vital tooth only, a tooth that has had root canal treatment and has become darker than the other teeth.

Internal bleaching consists of multiple applications of the bleaching gel inside the tooth.

The patient will have repetitive appointments to remove the bleaching gel and put a new dose, this procedure can be repeated up to 3 times.

Although internal bleaching is effective it may sometimes cause internal resorption of the root.

Maintenance

For a long-lasting result, you should rinse your mouth after eating and drinking, floss daily to remove dental plaque, visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and avoid food or beverages that stain.