The mechanism that whitens teeth.

Today no one knows exactly what is the mechanism that whitens teeth. That is, no one knows with certainty what are the structures and processes within the dentin that give teeth to its inherent color, or what it is altering the chemical or microscopic level during the bleaching. Some think that this process occurs only by removing patches of dentin (which would mean that the term "bleaching" would be misused, and instead the term "desmanchamiento" maybe it would be more appropriate.) Others argue that the bleaching caused a change in the intrinsic color of the dentin, as the original color of the tooth is unknown. It is known that the bleaching is not due to a gradual opacification of the enamel.