Cosmetic Dentistry

What is teeth whitening?

It is the process of changing the colour of our teeth to lighter shades. It is performed at the dental office and/or at home, always under the supervision of a dentist. It can be applied to all adult patients after a thorough clinical examination to identify and treat any issues such as gum inflammation, cavities requiring fillings, etc.

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How is it done?

The process involves a combination of visits to the dental office and applications at home. Usually, two office visits are sufficient, and at the same time, custom‑made trays (“mouthguards”) are fabricated from thin, transparent and flexible plastic. The patient is supplied with the appropriate bleaching material, which they place in the trays themselves and wear at home, either for 1‑2 hours per day or overnight during sleep.

Is there any risk to the teeth?

There is no risk whatsoever to the teeth. However, it often causes temporary increased sensitivity to cold and/or hot, which may last up to 2 weeks after completing the whitening. In no case are the teeth damaged.

What should we watch out for during whitening?

During the whitening period, we should maintain the best possible oral hygiene (brushing and flossing), significantly reduce habits that stain the teeth, and avoid very cold or very hot as well as acidic drinks/foods (oranges, lemons and their juices).

Download the instructions leaflet for whitening by clicking here.

Are the whitening results permanent?

Theoretically, the full whitening treatment is done once, and then maintenance is performed either once a year or more frequently (every 6‑8 months). This means a professional dental cleaning (which is essential annually anyway) and a few home applications (2‑3 days, 1‑2 hours per day) using material we will provide. The frequency of maintenance depends on the patient. For example, in a smoker who drinks a lot of coffee or tea daily and has moderate oral hygiene, we will follow a more intensive maintenance schedule.

What about old fillings or porcelain crowns?

Whitening will only affect natural teeth. Materials such as porcelain, composite fillings or artificial teeth from dentures will not change colour. For patients with both natural and artificial teeth or fillings who wish to improve their tooth colour, the correct approach is to perform the whitening first, stabilize the new shade, and then replace the restorations (at least the 8‑10 front teeth) to match the new whiter colour of the natural teeth.

Do commercial toothpastes that promise “whiter teeth” really work?

These toothpastes cannot whiten teeth on their own. However, someone who brushes properly, smokes little or not at all, and does not drink much coffee or tea can certainly maintain whiter teeth using whitening toothpastes. Also, after completing a professional whitening treatment, we can use these special toothpastes for maintenance.

What is it?

It is an extremely thin porcelain shell that is bonded to the outer surface of the tooth after a minimal layer of enamel (0.5 to 1 mm) has been removed.

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In which cases is it applied?

Porcelain veneers can address most aesthetic problems of the front teeth, such as:

• Changing the size of small teeth.
• Closing gaps between teeth.
• Permanent and reliable repair of chipped teeth.
• Changing the colour of discoloured teeth.
• Restoring a glossy surface on teeth with wear or erosion.
• Correcting minor orthodontic issues.

How many visits are required?

The process usually takes 3 appointments. In the first, the teeth are prepared and impressions are taken; in the second, a try‑in is done with any necessary minor adjustments; and finally, in the third, the veneers are permanently bonded. Between these visits, temporary coverings are placed on the treated teeth to provide protection and an aesthetic appearance.

In many cases, we observe significant exposure of tooth surfaces due to gum recession. Common causes include aggressive brushing, use of a hard toothbrush, gingivitis and periodontitis, and orthodontic tooth movement. Additionally, the natural ageing process causes some gum recession, but to a very minor degree.

In some cases, this gum recession creates aesthetic as well as functional problems.

Periodontology offers a wide range of techniques to restore exposed teeth with natural and long‑lasting results.

Photos of our cases here: