Teeth Whitening

The tremendous interest in makeover programmes has fuelled a significant growth in the cosmetic dentistry market. Tooth whitening is a quick and inexpensive way to dramatically improve someone’s appearance and a bright white smile can make someone look good and feel great.

In a recent survey, carried out on behalf of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, tooth whitening was the most popular cosmetic dental treatment. Research has also shown that colour is the most important factor in determining the attractiveness of a smile. The treatment is suitable for most people to reverse age changes and is particularly successful in removing unsightly stains left by smoking, tea/coffee and certain foods. The results will vary for each individual depending on the existing natural shading of the teeth and the level of discolouration.

The advantages of tooth whitening are that it is a quick, safe, painless procedure that restores the natural colour of the teeth with no structural change. People should also consider tooth whitening prior to any restorative work so that the colour of the crowns and veneers can be matched to the natural tooth colour after whitening.

Tooth whitening requires the application of a whitening gel to the tooth surface. The whitening gels use oxidising agents, most commonly hydrogen peroxide, on molecules causing intrinsic staining, allowing these molecules to be converted into smaller non-coloured material. Once whitened, the effects will last between 2-3 years depending on how much tea coffee, red wine or other staining products are used.

At-Home Whitening

We have two options for teeth whitening treatment: at-home or in-surgery whitening. At-home whitening treatment involves wearing close-fitting application trays for 2 x 30 minute sessions over 10 or more days. Once whitened, the effect will last between 2-3 years depending on how much tea, coffee, red wine, tobacco and other staining products you consume. Fees for at-home whitening start from £385 and if you wish to top-up the whitening, you can buy additional gel for your home trays. If you want to lighten the colour of your natural teeth, then the procedure should be completed prior to the construction of any ceramic restorations as we will match the tooth colours as seamlessly as possible. When you are happy with the end result, we can progress to the next phase of treatment.

In-Surgery Whitening

This is a very simple and effective procedure for those wishing to whiten their teeth quickly. It is done in the dental surgery and is useful for those who have a busy schedule and want a quicker result. We use the PHILIPS Zoom! ™ system. The dentist or therapist applies a protective coating to your lips, cheeks and gums. Whitening gel is placed on your teeth and an ultraviolet light is directed over your teeth for 15 minutes. This is repeated a further two or three times and the entire procedure lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Top Patient Tips

• No whitening is permanent. Maintenance is needed to keep that bright smile.
• Only a dentist can get teeth to the maximum whiteness.
• See a dentist first to check teeth are healthy before starting. Teeth and gums can become permanently sensitive if they are not healthy first.
• There is no evidence that whitening toothpastes can actually whiten teeth.
• Whitening kits can at best do nothing and at worst some of those bought abroad or over the Internet can actually harm teeth as they contain acids/abrasives that can cause permanent damage.