Teeth whitening to brighten and enhance can be done in various ways.

What is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening refers to the process of changing the color of the front surface of the teeth that is visible when smiling. It makes the teeth appear whiter, cleaner, and noticeably brighter.

Teeth whitening uses bleaching agents with varying concentrations depending on the whitening method or the initial tooth color of each individual. The results will also vary. Normally, patients will receive an evaluation of the expected results from the dentist before the whitening procedure and will be given advice on post-whitening care to achieve better results.

Types of Teeth Whitening

Generally, teeth whitening today is divided into 2 types:

• Self-whitening by purchasing products
  Self-whitening usually involves buying whitening products from beauty counters, pharmacies, or online. The results are often unsatisfactory and may be harmful to the gums because the equipment used does not fit each individual properly, and the bleaching agents have limited concentration due to legal restrictions for consumer protection.
• Teeth whitening by a dentist
  Generally, teeth whitening under the supervision of a dentist involves an evaluation of the whitening results along with recommendations for the most suitable whitening method for each individual. The dentist will adjust the concentration of the bleaching agent accordingly. Currently, there are many techniques available, but they can be broadly classified into 3 main methods as follows:

1. 1. • Take-home whitening
        The dentist will take an impression to make a custom bleaching tray (individual bleaching tray). Then, the patient will return to receive the custom tray along with a bleaching agent adjusted to suit that individual.
        The bleaching agents used mostly contain peroxide compounds that are safe for oral use. They generally have a higher concentration than those sold over the counter or in pharmacies, resulting in clearer and safer effects, supported by published medical research.
      • In-office single-session whitening with various innovations
        This is a convenient and fast whitening method performed by the dentist. The patient only needs to sit in the dental chair for the specified time. The results depend on the patient’s tooth condition, which the dentist will evaluate and explain beforehand, as some cases may not yield satisfactory results. Additionally, there is a chance that the teeth may darken again within 1-2 years if post-whitening instructions are not strictly followed, because within the first 1-2 days after whitening, teeth are highly susceptible to staining from food or drinks.
        Currently, there are various innovations for single-session in-office whitening, such as using lasers as a catalyst for the bleaching agent and using cold light systems as a catalyst, among others.
      • Combination of in-office whitening and take-home whitening
        This system is a mixed method that provides very clear and satisfactory results for individuals who want quick results and have high expectations. The dentist will perform whitening in the clinic first using innovations as in method 2 to show initial changes. Then, an impression will be taken to make a custom tray, and the patient will receive a bleaching agent to use at home. The results are generally satisfactory for both the patient and the dentist, and the chance of the teeth darkening again is low.