Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a common and popular procedure performed in our dental practice. Our team can whiten your teeth in a way that is safe, fast and in most cases, be able to achieve the best results to improve your smile.
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic procedure that helps to lighten teeth by removing extrinsic (superficial) and intrinsic (internal) stains and discoloration caused by everyday factors such as smoking, coffee, tea or red wine. It can also be caused by certain antibiotics, be hereditary or simply due to the normal aging process.
People always ask if teeth whitening is safe? As with most things, as long as the instructions are followed, teeth whitening is a safe and proven way to brighten your smile. All teeth whitening products contain peroxide, either as carbamide peroxide (CP) or hydrogen peroxide (HP) and these come in a number of different concentrations.
There are 4 types of peroxide containing teeth whitening products currently available. These are the in-office whitening products, the take home whitening products, the over-the-counter (OTC) products and the whitening toothpastes. The two most reliable and effective systems available are the in-office and the take home whitening products.
The in-office whitening products require the procedure be done chair side. This is a great option if time is of the essence. This may be the best option if fast or immediate results are important, and because it does contain a higher percentage of whitening gel, it is best suited to patients without sensitive teeth. In most cases, you will still be provided a custom take home kit to maintain and stabilise the whole whitening process. The in-office system may require one or more 60 minute appointments in our dental chair using the special blue LED light.
Take home whitening products is by far the most popular teeth whitening method. These products contain a lower percentage peroxide than the in-office products and can be worn in the convenience of your own home. These take home products are supervised by our dentists to ensure that it is being used in a correct and safe manner. The process begins by taking accurate impressions of your upper and lower teeth to create custom whitening trays. This ensures the correct amount of whitening solution is used, that your teeth are properly exposed and that contact with the gums are minimised. Typically, whitening at home takes two to three weeks to achieve the desired shade.
It must be noted that discolouration caused by things such as medication staining may take much longer, and in some instances, may not be successful at all, or it may not reach the desired shade you may hope for. It is also worthwhile noting that teeth whitening has no effect on the colour of fillings or crowns. Tooth coloured fillings and crowns may need to be replaced after whitening if you are unsatisfied with the colour post treatment. Other possible side effects include teeth sensitivity. The discomfort experienced varies from person to person and we can help alleviate these symptoms with certain strategies. In most cases however, people tend to experience minimal discomfort that tends to last a few days. Our team can discuss any of these concerns with you during the teeth whitening consultation
