TEETH WHITENING
1. WHAT TOOTH WHITENING CHOICES ARE THERE IF I AM INTERESTED IN WHITENING MY TEETH?
In Office Bleaching
Involves getting your teeth bleached in a single dental visit at a dentist . The dentist uses a very strong bleaching agent in combination with a light/laser. A peroxide-based gel is applied after which a light is applied to assist the whitening process. The laser/light does NOT whiten teeth. It merely activates the bleaching gel and initiates the chemical reaction that produces the whitening effect. The procedure takes about an hour and a half and offers immediate results, although it may take more than one session to achieve the desired level of bleaching. After your in office teeth whitening we recommend that you utilise a home maintenance kit, as over time food and drink will cause
staining once again.
Bleaching to go / Home bleaching with pre-fabricated trays:
Ready-to-use prefilled trays. No impressions needed. Wear only for 30-60 minutes, once a day. Noticeable results after 5-10 days. We recommend that you visit your dentist before whitening to make sure that you don’t have any cavities or any other limitations that would compromise your tooth whitening results.
2. IS BLEACHING SAFE OR DOES IT DAMAGE THE TOOTH?
Whitening teeth does not harm the teeth, but it can make them more SENSITIVE to hot or cold. This is only temporary.
3. WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF TOOTH WHITENING?
All bleaching gel causes some degree of tooth sensitivity. This is sensitivity to cold/hot fluids and even air can cause discomfort. This is normal and an expected side effect. All bleaching causes tooth sensitivity and we recommend to either discontinue use for a few days and the sensitivity will dissipate within 24-48 hrs. Don’t be concerned as bleaching does not need to be done consecutively. You will get to the same whitening point, it will just take a little longer. Using a desensitizing toothpaste like Sensodyne will help.
4. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR TEETH TO BECOME THEIR WHITEST?
Results vary. Some teeth whiten dramatically in just a few days, while others can take a few weeks. The majority of people whiten within 2-3 weeks. The more yellow versus gray colour you have in your teeth, the better the bleaching. Grey enamel similar to that of Tetracycline (antibiotic) staining is more difficult to bleach and can take a few months to achieve a result.
5. HOW LONG THE WHITENING WILL RESULTS LAST?
Generally, immediately after bleaching, the colour will fade slightly and then remain stable for approx. 6 months to a year, sometimes longer. Certain habits such as the use of tobacco products, drinking a lot of coffee, tea, dark soft drinks ect can work against the results. It is recommended for maintenance to touch up your smile every 3-6 months with your home maintenance kit. Due to the safety of professionally supplied bleaching agents, this should not concern the patient or dentist.
6. WILL BLEACHING GEL WHITEN MY VENEERS, CAPS (CROWNS) AND BONDING?
All bleaching agents used to whiten teeth will only work on natural tooth structure. This means that all dental work including but not limited to bonding, veneers, crowns (caps) and bridges will NOT bleach or whiten. All dental work would need to be replaced to match the newly whitened teeth.