Teeth Whitening Turkey

In-office bleaching is performed in the clinic with a higher-concentration whitening solution and usually with LED or laser activation — visible results in 60 to 90 minutes. At-home whitening with custom trays and a lower-concentration solution takes 1 to 2 weeks, is gentler and good for sensitive teeth. Mapa Health often offers both as a combined approach: a strong initial whitening in the clinic, then trays for home use to stabilise the result.

For in-office bleaching one day is enough; with travel in and out, 2 to 3 days is realistic. Day 1: pre-op assessment, professional cleaning and bleaching session. Day 2: optional booster session or fabrication of at-home whitening trays. For a combined treatment (in-office + trays), a longer stay can be useful.

It depends on the starting colour and tooth substance. With in-office bleaching, typically 4 to 8 shades whiter are achieved. With very strong discolourations (e.g. tetracycline staining from childhood or a root-canal-treated tooth) the result may be weaker — such discolourations can often only be fully resolved with veneers. A reputable clinic documents the shade comparison before and after treatment in writing.

With good oral hygiene and without strong staining habits (coffee, tea, red wine, smoking), the result typically lasts 1 to 3 years. A booster session every 12 to 24 months stabilises the result. Smokers or heavy coffee drinkers should expect a shorter lifespan.

When professionally performed, whitening does not permanently damage enamel. The whitening solution works by chemical oxidation of the colour molecules in the tooth, without removing the enamel layer. Temporary sensitivity is common (50 to 70 percent of patients) and subsides within 1 to 3 days. For very sensitive teeth, a lower-concentration solution or at-home whitening is recommended.

In the first 24 to 48 hours, the tooth structure is still absorbent and should be protected from strongly staining foods. Avoid: coffee, tea, red wine, cola, tomato sauce, curry, berries, soy sauce, smoking. Recommended: water, milk, white rice, chicken, white fish, light pasta. After 48 hours, normal consumption is possible, with a recommendation for moderate coffee/red wine consumption to keep the result longer.

No, artificial materials such as veneers, crowns, bridges or fillings cannot be whitened — the whitening solution only acts on natural tooth substance. If you have existing veneers or crowns and want to whiten your natural teeth, this should be clarified with the dentist beforehand — the veneers/crowns may need to be replaced afterwards to match the colour.

The treatment itself is pain-free — you sit relaxed with a protective barrier on the gums and whitening gel on the teeth. After the treatment, temporary temperature and pressure sensitivity can occur — typically 24 to 48 hours. Special toothpastes for sensitive teeth are recommended before and after the treatment to soften this phase.

Caries and gum inflammation must be treated before whitening, because the whitening solution can penetrate into the tooth through carious areas or exposed roots and cause pain. A pre-op assessment with professional cleaning is therefore mandatory. With many fillings or crowns in the visible area, veneers are often the more aesthetically consistent alternative to whitening.

In Western European countries a professional in-office bleaching session typically costs €250 to €600. In Istanbul, whitening packages (pre-op assessment, professional cleaning, in-office bleaching, hotel, transfer) are offered at significantly lower prices. The bleaching systems used (Philips Zoom, Beyond, Opalescence) are the same worldwide. What you should check: whether a professional cleaning before bleaching is included; whether at-home trays are provided to stabilise the result; what a booster session costs in the following year.