Teeth Whitening
& Bleaching

A radiant smile is one of the most expressive features of a well-groomed appearance – and bright, naturally looking teeth can be achieved safely and effectively through professional bleaching. Teeth become discoloured over time through consumables such as coffee, tea, red wine or cigarette smoke, but also through the natural ageing of the tooth enamel and dentine. At our dental practice in Gelnhausen, we offer you two proven and dentally safe methods for teeth whitening: Home Bleaching with custom-fitted whitening trays, and In-Office Bleaching carried out at the practice – for a result of up to 8 shades lighter.

How does professional bleaching work – and why is the dentist the right choice?

Professional bleaching gels contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as their active ingredient. These molecules are small enough to penetrate through the tooth enamel into the dentine, where they can lighten embedded colour molecules through a controlled oxidation reaction. The result: a significantly brighter tooth appearance, without tooth hard tissue being removed or the tooth structure being permanently altered. In contrast to freely available pharmacy products – which in the EU are limited to a maximum of 0.1% hydrogen peroxide – bleaching agents used by dentists are permitted to contain significantly higher, far more effective concentrations.

Before every bleaching treatment, we carry out a thorough preliminary examination. We check whether the teeth and gums are healthy, whether there are any carious lesions or exposed tooth necks, and whether the tooth is generally suitable for whitening. It is important to note that existing dental restorations – crowns, veneers, fillings – cannot be whitened. We discuss these facts transparently during the consultation so that you can make an informed decision.

Home Bleaching: Gentle and flexible – whitening at home

Home Bleaching is the classic, particularly gentle method of teeth whitening. Based on a precise impression of your teeth, we have custom-fitted whitening trays fabricated in our dental laboratory from thin, transparent plastic. These trays fit precisely and closely – ensuring that the bleaching gel is dosed exactly and that contact with the gum tissue is largely avoided, which significantly improves tolerability.

The Home Bleaching protocol typically calls for a daily application time of two to four hours, or alternatively overnight use – depending on the concentration of the gel used and your individual sensitivity. Over a period of one to three weeks, the desired whitening result is achieved step by step. The advantage of this method: you set your own pace and can adjust the frequency of application at any time if you have sensitive teeth.

• Individual custom-fitted whitening trays for precise fit and optimal gel distribution
• Convenient home use, on your own schedule – during the day or overnight
• Particularly gentle approach through lower active ingredient concentrations over a longer period
• Even, naturally looking whitening result through gradual treatment
• The trays remain permanently usable – for later top-up treatments
• Ideal for patients with mild sensitivity
• Achievable whitening: up to 6–8 shades lighter, depending on the starting situation

In-Office Bleaching: Immediate results in a single practice visit

For those who want significantly whiter teeth quickly and without any effort on their part, In-Office Bleaching is the ideal choice. With this method, a high-concentration bleaching gel is applied directly to the teeth at the practice. The gum tissue is carefully covered beforehand with a special protective varnish or gingival dam to prevent irritation. The gel remains on the teeth – depending on the protocol – in several cycles of 15 to 20 minutes each, enabling a very intensive and even whitening effect.

The decisive advantage of In-Office Bleaching lies in the immediacy of the result: after just one session of approximately 60 to 90 minutes, your teeth are noticeably and visibly lighter – ideal before important occasions such as a wedding, an anniversary or a job interview. For many patients, we recommend a combination of In-Office Bleaching followed by Home Bleaching as maintenance therapy: the best of both worlds.

• Immediate, clearly visible result after just a single treatment session
• Highest active ingredient concentration under dental supervision and monitoring
• Complete gum protection through professional coverage before treatment
• Ideal before important appointments or as the starting point for a combined bleaching treatment
• Treatment duration: approx. 60–90 minutes including preparation and aftercare
• Professional post-fluoridation to protect the tooth enamel after the session
• Achievable whitening: up to 8 shades lighter in just one appointment

Results, Longevity and Aftercare

The longevity of bleaching results varies from person to person and depends on factors such as dietary habits, consumption of staining drinks, smoking and home oral hygiene. On average, a professional bleaching result lasts between one and three years. However, through regular professional teeth cleanings, the use of whitening toothpastes and occasional top-up applications with the custom-fitted whitening trays, the result can be maintained very effectively and very cost-efficiently.

In the first 48 hours after bleaching treatment, we recommend the so-called "White Diet": avoid intensely staining foods and drinks such as red wine, coffee, black tea, tomato sauce and berries, as the teeth are particularly receptive to pigments during this phase. Mild tooth sensitivity in the days following treatment is normal and generally resolves quickly on its own. If symptoms persist, please do not hesitate to contact us – we will advise you on appropriate desensitising measures.

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