Professional Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening at Ortodoncie Havířov is available in two formats: in-office lamp whitening, which achieves significant lightening in a single 2-hour session with results lasting 2–3 years, and at-home whitening using professional-strength bleaching paste with custom-fitted trays, which delivers results within approximately 14 days of home application. Both options use professional-grade whitening agents at concentrations not available in over-the-counter products, delivered under dental supervision. Whitening is commonly performed after completing Invisalign treatment to optimise the final smile result.

Tooth whitening — the lightening of intrinsic enamel and dentine discolouration using peroxide-based bleaching agents — is one of the most requested cosmetic dental treatments and is particularly popular as a finishing step after orthodontic clear aligner treatment. At Ortodoncie Havířov, professional whitening is available in two evidence-based delivery formats. **In-Office Lamp Whitening:** In-office whitening uses a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gel (typically 25–40%) applied directly to the tooth surfaces by the dental professional, activated and accelerated by a whitening lamp (LED or halogen). The light source raises the temperature of the gel slightly, increasing the rate of peroxide decomposition and oxygen radical release — the reactive oxygen species that penetrate enamel and dentine to oxidise the chromophore molecules responsible for staining. A single session consists of 2–3 gel application cycles of 15–20 minutes each, with gum protection throughout. Total chairside time is approximately 2 hours. The result is visible immediately after treatment — typically 4–8 shade improvement on the VITA scale, depending on baseline tooth colour, degree of staining, and enamel structure. Results last approximately 2–3 years with proper maintenance (avoiding heavy tea, coffee, red wine, and tobacco), after which a top-up session or at-home maintenance can be performed. **At-Home Professional Whitening:** At-home professional whitening uses custom thermoplastic trays fabricated from an impression of the patient's teeth — ensuring a precise fit that holds a thin layer of whitening gel against each tooth surface without leakage onto gums. The whitening paste contains professional-strength carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide (10–16% carbamide peroxide equivalent), which slowly decomposes over a wearing period of 4–6 hours (overnight wear is common). Trays are worn daily for approximately 14 days to achieve comparable lightening to in-office treatment. At-home whitening produces a more gradual, even result and is associated with less post-treatment sensitivity than in-office high-concentration methods — making it the preferred option for patients with naturally sensitive teeth. Custom trays can be reused for top-up treatments using additional gel syringes, making this the more cost-effective maintenance option long-term. **After Invisalign — the finishing step:** Whitening is most commonly requested and most effective immediately after completion of clear aligner treatment, when teeth are at their optimal alignment and surface accessibility. Clean, straight teeth produce dramatically better whitening results than misaligned teeth where surfaces are overlapping. Many patients at the clinic combine their final aligner appointment with a whitening consultation.