In smile bars and some dental clinics, whitening is primarily a business. But there are risks. Advice and explanations.
On social media, “Colgate smiles” with bright teeth are legion. Often false but no matter: imperceptibly, this shifts the standard towards whiter than white. To obtain white teeth without dental veneers, we are encouraged to whiten them. Using techniques whose effectiveness is often promoted on the basis of before/after photos of questionable honesty.
Indeed, non-professional products are likely to be ineffective due to a lack of a sufficient concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Only dentists can use products capable of penetrating the enamel to reach the dentin and modulate the color, dosed between 0.1% and 6%. Be wary if you are offered tooth whitening with professional products elsewhere than in a dental office!
The National Council of the Order of Dental Surgeons is also vigilant. “I obtained the closure of 17 smile bars which were endangering the safety of their customers. The risks with this type of treatment are significantrecalls its president, Alain Durand, dental surgeon in Toulouse. And we attack any practitioner who calls himself an “aesthetic center”. There is no aesthetic specialty in dentistry. Dental centers that make a business out of it are unacceptable: it becomes a business. »
Avoid in case of sensitivity and on weakened teeth
The process must remain medical, with a prior assessment. “There are contraindications”warns Dr Julien Cardona, dental surgeon and general secretary of the union of dental surgeons of France (the CDF). He warns: “It is contraindicated, or at least requires special precautions, to lighten teeth with hydrogen peroxide in cases of dental hypersensitivity or gingival recession. [abaissement de la gencive sur les dents, NDLR]dental wear, as is the case in people prone to bruxism, dental erosion caused by sodas or acid drinks, etc. ». On weakened teeth, the products used risk penetrating too deeply.
However, the hydrogen peroxide must just penetrate the enamel sufficiently to reach the upper layers of the dentin, but above all not go beyond. Dr. Cardona clarifies: “The goal is to bleach the pigments in the dentin. But if the product goes too far into the tooth, there is a risk of triggering inflammation of the pulp. This will have the effect, at best, of creating dental hypersensitivity for a few days and, at worst, of necrosis of the tooth, or even the underlying bone. »
The products must also not come into contact with the gums or be diluted in saliva and enter the bloodstream. Dentists therefore use custom-made trays soaked in product which clip onto the teeth.
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Do not give in to the sirens of money laundering
In addition to this preliminary assessment, dental surgeons must also provide their patients with a clear explanation of the ins and outs. “We have color benchmarks allowing us to visualize what type of shade we are able to achieve”explains Dr. Durand. In general, it is possible to gain two shades, go from gray to light gray, from yellow to at least yellow, but for pure white, it’s no!
Clarification is not always possible. “If the coloring is of iatrogenic origin [liée à des médicaments comme les tétracyclines, NDLR]we will not be able to lighten our teeth”adds the specialist. Promising otherwise is legally reprehensible. Also, the whitening technique may vary in the case of a devitalized tooth: it is possible to lighten it but “from the inside”, by placing the product at the heart of the tooth. Finally, it is necessary to explain the action to be taken following the treatment. Because after “whitening”, the teeth become more sensitive to coloring.
“Smoking is a contraindication to whitening: the treatment will increase dental permeability and tobacco will therefore mark the teeth even more”explains Dr. Durand. You must therefore avoid tobacco, tea, coffee or beetroot in the days following treatment… or not give in to the lure of whitening.
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A significant uncovered cost
Especially since laundering has a cost. “Difficult to quantify because it varies greatly from one practitioner to another, from one region to anothernotes Dr. Durand. But it is an expensive treatment. Just the necessary technical platform costs from €150 to €200. And it’s more expensive in a dental office than in a smile bar – it’s normal that there is a margin. But if it comes to €1000, it’s intolerable”warns the practitioner.
However, this cost is never covered by Health Insurance, even when a medical problem is at the origin of the whitening request. “However, in the latter case, and if the aesthetic damage is significant, I still encourage you to send a letter to the complementary health insurance”specifies Dr. Cardona.
