Professional Teeth Whitening in Dombivli: Everything You Need to Know

Why Do Teeth Stain?

There are two types of tooth staining: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are on the surface of the enamel, caused by tea, coffee, red wine, tobacco, and certain foods. These are relatively easy to remove. Intrinsic stains are inside the tooth structure itself, caused by tetracycline antibiotics taken during childhood, excess fluoride during development, aging, or trauma. These require more intensive treatment, and some may not respond fully to whitening.

How Does Professional Whitening Work?

Professional teeth whitening at Uttam Microdentistry uses a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gel. Hydrogen peroxide penetrates the enamel and breaks the chemical bonds of stain molecules through an oxidation reaction. The molecules responsible for discolouration are literally decomposed - they do not just get covered up.

The process at our Dombivli clinic:

• ✓Your gums and lips are protected with a barrier to prevent any contact with the whitening gel.
• ✓The gel is applied to your teeth in 3 cycles of approximately 15 minutes each.
• ✓A specialised light may be used to accelerate the reaction.
• ✓Results: most patients achieve 4-8 shades lighter in a single 90-minute session.

Professional vs. Over-the-Counter Whitening Strips

This is one of the most common questions we receive. Here is an honest comparison:

• ✓Concentration: OTC strips contain 3-10% hydrogen peroxide. Professional whitening at Uttam Microdentistry uses 25-40%. The difference in effectiveness is dramatic.
• ✓Safety: Without a gum barrier, strips frequently cause chemical burns on gum tissue. Our professional application protects all soft tissues.
• ✓Longevity: Professional results last 1-3 years with proper care. Strip results typically fade within 3-6 months.
• ✓Even coverage: Strips do not conform well to the shape of your teeth, resulting in uneven whitening. Professional application is uniform.

Is Teeth Whitening Safe?

Yes - when performed by a qualified dentist. The most common side effect is temporary tooth sensitivity for 24-48 hours after treatment. We minimise this by assessing your existing sensitivity before treatment and using desensitising agents. Permanent damage to tooth enamel from professional whitening is not supported by the scientific literature when the procedure is performed correctly.

Who is Not a Good Candidate for Whitening?

• ✓Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• ✓Patients with untreated cavities or active gum disease - these must be treated first.
• ✓Patients with crowns, veneers, or tooth-coloured fillings on their front teeth - these do not whiten, and whitening the surrounding natural teeth can cause a mismatch.
• ✓Patients with severe intrinsic staining (tetracycline) - veneers may be more appropriate.

How to Maintain Your Results

After whitening, avoid tea, coffee, red wine, and tobacco for 48 hours while your teeth are most porous. After that, moderate consumption combined with good brushing habits will help maintain your results for years. Top-up treatments are available and are much shorter than the initial procedure.