Teeth Whitening and Bleaching Cost | Forever Clinica (2024)

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that aims to eliminate stains, yellowing or discolouration of the teeth. This procedure is generally performed to whiten the teeth, increase their brightness and give them an aesthetic appearance. Teeth whitening can be performed in dental clinics or at home.

Professional teeth whitening is applied by dentists. Teeth whitening will last approximately between one hour and one and a half hours. During this procedure, the dentist applies an oxidising agent to the teeth to remove the stains on the teeth using a gel. This is a substance containing high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. This substance is responsible for whitening the teeth. Some dentists try to accelerate the whitening of the teeth by using a light source during the teeth whitening procedure.

Teeth whitening at home is applied by using a special teeth whitening kit available from dentists or dental clinics. These kits come with a gel containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The kits are usually applied for several hours a day for several weeks, and especially at night. This procedure does not give results as fast as professional teeth whitening. However, it results in a more favourable cost.

Teeth whitening application generally does not damage the gums or tooth enamel. However, some people may have sensitive teeth or gums. Therefore, they may experience pain or sensitivity during the teeth whitening process. In addition, temporary sensitivity of the teeth may occur after the teeth whitening process. However, this is not cause for concern. Within a few days, the sensitivity reduces. It is also possible to encounter such situations in other dental treatments and it is normal.

How Is Teeth Whitening Performed?

Although the teeth whitening process is a misrecognised procedure because it is a source of hesitation by many people who are sensitive about teeth, it has caused the question of how to perform the teeth whitening process to be asked frequently due to the increasing health tourism activities in recent years. The existence of clinics where these procedures are performed quite harmlessly and the fact that new technologies also allow this has caused the endurance of sensitive people to be broken.

The answer to the question of how teeth whitening is performed in terms of the methods performed below is discussed:

• Professional Teeth Whitening: The duration of this procedure applied by dentists is quite short. During the procedure, the dentist uses an oxidising agent to eliminate stains on the teeth using a gel. This substance contains high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. Whitening occurs as a result of this.
• Teeth Whitening at Home: It is performed using a special whitening kit given by dentists.
• Teeth Whitening with Laser: Laser teeth whitening application is a method that is used much less frequently than other methods and is rarely preferred by people. With this method, the dentist applies a gel. The teeth whitening process is then completed by exposing a laser light to the area where the gel is applied. Laser teeth whitening gives faster results compared to other methods. However, it is more expensive than other methods.
• Tooth Whitening Strips: They are known as thin strips that are glued to the crowns of the teeth. These strips also have a gel. The strips are used for approximately a few weeks. This usage is several hours a day. It is especially recommended to use it at night.

Although each method has significant differences in terms of operation and cost, each method benefits from a whitening effect caused by the application of a gel to the teeth. Different application methods with this gel will also appear in the future.

Teeth Whitening Methods

Dental health services in the field of medicine, which accompanies the rapid progress of technological developments, have developed many different methods or techniques under the influence of these developments. The results, which have longer durability and are natural in terms of appearance, have been possible with the use of technology-supported methods. Teeth whitening methods continue to diversify in parallel with the general development.

Teeth whitening methods can be listed as follows:

• Professional teeth whitening,
• Teeth whitening at home,
• Teeth whitening with laser,
• Teeth whitening strips,
• Natural methods.

Among the teeth whitening methods used in teeth whitening, whitening of teeth performed by natural methods is carried out with substances such as baking soda, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar. However, patience and continuity are required for the effectiveness of these methods. It is also useful to consult specialists about safety. Each teeth whitening methods can give different results. This difference occurs in the grade of whiteness and the continuity of whiteness.

How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?

How long it takes to whiten teeth depends on the method used, the initial colour of the teeth and the whitening stage. For a clearer answer to the question of how long teeth whitening lasts, a preliminary evaluation should be made by the dentist.

Professional teeth whitening can generally be completed within a few hours. Home teeth whitening kits can give results after regular use for a few days or a few weeks. Teeth whitening with laser gives faster results compared to other methods. It takes approximately 30 to 60 minutes to complete.

The results of methods that can be applied at home, such as teeth whitening strips or natural methods, are methods that take a long time to provide solutions. After a few weeks or months of regular application, positive results can be observed.

However, after the teeth whitening process, the whiteness of the teeth may not last as long as expected. Eating habits, smoking, consuming coffee, tea, red wine and not taking regular dental care can discolour the teeth again. For this reason, it is necessary to take regular dental care after this procedure and reduce the products that cause discolouration.

Who Cannot Have Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening cannot be applied to everyone. In some cases, teeth whitening may damage the health of the teeth. There may be unwanted outcomes. In some cases, teeth whitening treatment is not applied. These situations are temporary. With the elimination of this preventive situation, action can be taken to carry out these procedures.

Teeth whitening treatment is not recommended in the following situations:

• Pregnant and lactating women: Teeth whitening is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Because there is not enough information about the effect of the materials used. For this reason, such a precaution is taken in case of harm to the foetus or the baby.
• Age: Teeth whitening is not performed on children under 16 years of age. Because the development of tooth enamel of children at this age may not be fully developed. Otherwise, this procedure may damage the health of the teeth.
• Gum disorders: People with gum disease should consult their dentist before teeth whitening. Gum disorders may cause pain, sensitivity and bleeding gums after the procedure.
• Tooth decay: Teeth whitening is not suitable for people with tooth decay. Cleaning and treatment of dental caries should precede this procedure.
• Crowns and bridges: Artificial teeth such as crowns and bridges are not suitable for teeth whitening. Therefore, the condition and materials of the artificial teeth should be checked before the whitening procedure.
• Hypersensitivity: People with dentin hypersensitivity problems should consult their dentist before teeth whitening. Because the procedure can increase tooth sensitivity and increase pain.
• Metal veneers: Metal veneers threaten the presence of a favourable condition for the teeth whitening process.

Teeth whitening is suitable for almost everyone, although there are some exceptions. Only in the presence of the temporary conditions listed above, this procedure is not performed. For these procedures, it is always necessary to go to dentists who are experts in their work.

Is Teeth Whitening a Painful Procedure?

There are many people who develop dental sensitivity due to childhood traumas or social consciousness that develops over time. Almost everyone also knows someone in this situation. The feeling that attracts these sensitivities is the feeling of having to experience pain. For this reason, questions such as whether teeth whitening is painful or whether teeth whitening causes pain have been frequently asked.

Teeth whitening is generally a painless procedure. However, some people may experience mild pain, sensitivity or discomfort during or after the procedure due to the high sensitivity level of the person’s teeth and gums. These conditions are a natural side effect of this procedure. It is temporary and disappears after a short period of time.

Also, the dentist should be consulted before the teeth whitening procedure. The dental control performed by the dentist leads to the appearance of precise, scientific answers as to whether the person is suitable for the procedure and whether there will be pain after teeth whitening.

What are Teeth Whitening Stages?

Teeth whitening treatment consists of many different stages. These can be categorised under general headings as preparation process, operation process and finalisation process. However, considering the existence of sensitivity within the social structure, the need to explain the general structure of teeth whitening stages at a more specific level was needed. Teeth whitening procedures are embodied with the application of the following steps in order.

These are;

• Dentist consultation: Before the teeth whitening process, the dentist performs a check on the health of the teeth and their suitability for the whitening process. If decay, gum disease or sensitivity is detected in the teeth, it is possible to overcome these problems first and then carry out the actual procedure.
• Teeth cleaning: Teeth are cleaned before this procedure. This process makes the whitening process more effective by removing plaque, tartar and stains on the teeth.
• Dental shade measurement: The dentist will measure the current colour of the teeth. This measurement process determines how many shades whiter your teeth will be after the whitening process.
• Teeth whitening process: This procedure varies according to the method to be used by the dentist. Home whitening procedures are often performed by using a special gel or mouthpiece given by the dentist. In this method, the gel or mouthpiece is placed on the teeth. In this case, a certain period of time is allowed. Whitening procedures performed in the dentist’s clinic definitely give faster results. It provides a powerful whitening effect.
• Final check: After this process is completed, the dentist performs a final check. Measures the colour of the teeth. Checks that there is no sensitivity or pain sensation in the teeth after the teeth whitening process. If any, auxiliary treatments, such as painkillers or special toothpastes, will be prescribed by the dentist.

Before this procedure, having the teeth checked by a dentist and eliminating aesthetic concerns over existing problems serves an important function in terms of both protecting the health of the person and having long-lasting teeth.

Teeth Whitening Prices

The price of teeth whitening varies according to the method used, the location of the procedure and the pricing policy of the dentist clinic. In addition, it is a predictable fact that home teeth whitening methods are more affordable than those performed in the dental clinic.

Home teeth whitening price varies according to the size and quality of the kit purchased. The kits are sold at prices ranging from approximately 100 to 500 TRY. The price range for teeth whitening in the dental clinic varies between 1,000 and 3,000 TRY.

In addition, these procedures are not covered by insurance companies because they are for aesthetic purposes. However, some dental clinics may offer affordable payment plans or financing options. Before performing this procedure, it is useful to obtain detailed information about the dentist’s pricing policy and payment options. Furthermore, the duration of this procedure, the method used and the experience of the dentist are among the factors affecting the price.

Important Points to Consider After Teeth Whitening

After teeth whitening, some precautions should be taken to keep the teeth healthy and white. Otherwise, after a short time, the teeth are again exposed to discolouration and decay. For this reason, a series of warnings will be made under the heading of important points to be considered after teeth whitening.

It should be taken into consideration that some of the recommendations on what to pay attention to after teeth whitening cover the pre-procedure and some cover the post-procedure.

These are recommendations such as;

• keeping the teeth away from colouring foods and drinks for the first 24 hours,
• brushing the teeth gently so as not to damage the gums,
• not using hard toothbrushes and toothpastes that abrade teeth,
• brushing teeth regularly or using dental floss,
• consulting a physician in case of pain or sensitivity,
• and visiting the dentist at certain intervals in order to maintain the whiteness of the teeth for a longer period of time.

In cases where undesirable conditions such as excessive pain, bleeding or signs of infection occur in the teeth, it is necessary to go to the doctor immediately and start the treatment process. All precautions should be taken before and after teeth whitening.

How Permanent Is Teeth Whitening?

The permanence of teeth whitening refers to a length or shortness in terms of the duration of teeth whitening permanence. Depending on the method used and the dental care of the person, this period varies. The importance of permanence arises from the idea that people will incur less expense for this procedure and that those with dentin sensitivity will not return to the dentist for the duration of the permanence period.

For this reason, it is often asked whether teeth whitening is permanent or how permanent teeth whitening is. After this procedure, the colour of the teeth may start to stain and discolour over time. Since the permanence is in the hands of the people, a permanence of up to 2-3 years is established for those who take care of the teeth, and up to 6 months – 1 year for those who do not.