Over time, teeth can lose some of their luster for several
reasons; some foods such as coffee, tea or red wine, ie substances rich in chromogenic agents, can modify the degree of whiteness; the nicotine present in tobacco is normally colorless until it comes into contact with oxygen and becomes yellow / brown; the passing of the years which involves a progressive increase in transparency of the dentin; trauma causing pulp necrosis; the use of drugs such as tetracyclines during the stages of tooth formation, or some hypertensive or antihistamines that can darken the teeth; radiotherapy can also make your teeth darker.
Whitening is the most popular cosmetic procedure since it can
greatly improve the appearance of the teeth.
Tooth whitening procedures can be called a treatment
cosmetic, in fact, using specific chemical agents (usually peroxides) some organic compounds responsible for the pigmentation of the teeth can be removed from the surface of the dental elements, making the teeth themselves lighter.
There are two main whitening procedures in fact one procedure concerns the elements
vital dental elements, while the second the necrotic dental elements; these procedures cannot be performed on artificial teeth.
In whitening vital teeth, a gel is commonly used which is applied directly to the surface of the teeth; this gel contains various types of hydrogen peroxide.
Vital teeth whitening can be done in the dentist's office or at home. In the study, products with a higher concentration of active ingredient are used. Some of these gels must be activated by a particular light frequency or by a laser to obtain a better and faster action.
A session lasts about 30 minutes and depending on the method used and the severity of the whitening it may take from one to three sessions. In the session, the hygienist inserts a protection for the gingival tissues as the gels used are highly irritating to the gums. There is no single answer to tooth whitening, each type of tooth can respond differently.
In home whitening it is necessary to prepare masks with impressions in which the whitening agent will be inserted to bring it in close contact with the teeth for several hours for a few weeks.
During the whitening phase it may be necessary to use a whitening toothpaste that helps remove the pigments present on the teeth.
The whitening of non-vital (ie devitalized) teeth requires a different procedure as the pigment that darkens the tooth is inside the tooth and therefore the dentist will have to attack it in an appropriate way.
ATTENTION !!! The teeth whitening procedures are not permanent and to maintain a good result they must be repeated every 1 or 2 years.
Furthermore, these procedures can cause an increase, usually transitory, in the sensitivity of the dental elements and not