Cases have shown that teeth whitening procedures performed under the supervision of a physician and with the use of FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) certified products do not cause permanent effects on the teeth. It has been reported that they cause temporary water loss in the teeth, during which patients feel aching and sensitivity in their teeth. However, it has been determined that this situation is reversible and sensitivity disappears within an average of 12-48 hours.

In home whitening systems, you should not apply a higher dose of medication than the dose recommended by your dentist in order to minimize drug-related trauma to the gums. In whitening systems applied in the clinic, the gums, lips, cheeks and mucous membrane areas are protected with various barriers to prevent any trauma to the soft tissues. As a result of the contact of the bleaching medication with the gums, white, painful, burning areas form on the gums. The physician applies “vitamin E” to these areas and helps the patient to relax faster. It has been reported that this traumatic change in the gums is reversible and does not create a permanent effect.

It is possible to close the gaps between the teeth, correct the position and shape differences by making additions only on the teeth without abrading the teeth with composite fillings with high aesthetic properties whose light transmittance is similar to the teeth. This method allows the physician to work directly and therefore, in routine, the procedure is completed in a single session. This treatment is called “composite lamina” (bonding).

Halitosis is 90% caused by the mouth, oral cavity and teeth. In addition, sinusitis, tonsillitis, nasal discharge, stomach and digestive system problems, respiratory system disorders are among the causes of bad breath. Kidney patients and diabetics may also have a slightly more alcohol-like odor. A very small part is related to eating habits.

Unlike all these conditions, the bad breath felt in healthy individuals and sometimes even in children when they wake up in the morning is called physiological bad breath. This odor is caused by bacteria that accumulate overnight in the esophagus and oral cavity. The bad odor goes away when you drink a glass of water as a separator. Similarly, dry mouth caused by certain systemic diseases, medications and treatments can also cause bad breath.

Many of the bacteria that accumulate and multiply easily in the teeth and surrounding soft tissues produce substances that cause bad odor. Apart from the teeth and gums, one of the most important harborage sites is the surface of the tongue. It has been recognized that many substances cause bad breath, but the most important one is sulfur. For this reason, toothpastes, mouthwashes and oral care products containing zinc have been developed. Zinc is known to temporarily suppress bad breath for 1-2 hours by forming a compound with free sulfur, but newly released free sulfur compounds will cause bad breath again. Therefore, as long as the presence of bacteria persists, the complaint of bad breath will not go away. Decayed teeth, old prostheses, crowns and bridges, half-erupted wisdom teeth, diseased gums and tongue surface provide shelter for bacteria.

In order to prevent bad breath, it has been reported that tongue brushing is an effective method to prevent bad breath by treating teeth and gums, ensuring good oral hygiene (tooth brushing, flossing and cleaning the interface).

The melanin pigment, which provides darkness in the skin, can also concentrate in the gums of some people and cause brown dark spots. This condition is physiological. There is no health hazard. If the patient feels aesthetically uncomfortable, the melanin pigments in the area can be removed with the help of laser.  It has been reported that an increase in melanin pigments has been observed in smokers and it is also highly likely to be observed again after the removal of melanin pigments.  Although rare, dark areas on the gums may be a harbinger of a tumoral structure. A differential diagnosis of the condition from cancerous lesions should be made by the dentist during routine controls. In cases such as rapid growth, spread, sudden appearance, sharpening of the borders and swelling of the dark area, it is useful to consult a specialist urgently.

Today, there are treatment protocols where we can change the position of the teeth with transparent aligners. Transparent aligners are prepared in accordance with the planned tooth modeling in a computer-aided environment. Patients are asked to wear these aligners for at least 16-18 hours a day. New aligners are switched to new aligners every week with the use of aligners for sufficient periods of time. In cases where patients do not comply with the wearing times of the aligners, the treatment becomes non-progressive at some point. Since the teeth do not move sufficiently, it may be necessary to return to the old aligners or to re-plan. If there is a skeletal anomaly, classical orthodontic treatment is generally preferred for their correction.