Tooth Whitening
CAUSES OF DISCOLOURATION
There are many causes of tooth discolouration.
The most common include; age, staining from coffee, tea, colas, tobacco, trauma, nerve
degeneration and old restorations.
BENEFITS OF WHITENING
Almost anyone can benefit from this treatment.
However, there are some occasions when the treatment may not be effective, we will advise
where treatment is viable by examining your mouth.
THE PROCESS
At your first visit we take an impression to make a clear plastic "tray" that fits
over your teeth.
On the second visit whitening gel is applied over your teeth.
Oxygen from the gel then enters the enamel and dentine and bleaches the coloured substances.
The structure of the tooth is not changed, only the tooth colour is lightened.
You then take home the tray with a dilute (10%) chemical to be worn once a day for 45
minutes.
Its important not to put too much gel in the tray, but what gel there is has to be in
contact with dry tooth.
So its necessary to swallow your saliva prior to placing the tray in place.
The wearing of the tray at home is sometimes called "walking bleaching" as you can
walk around and get on with your usual life.
SIDE EFFECTS
Research confirms that 10% carbamide peroxide provides the best balance of
whitening/longevity/sensitivity.
It has also been shown that bright lights/lasers offer no additional benefit so we do not
use such. Patients must be compliant with wearing the trays at home, some people experience
temporary increased tooth sensitivity to cold during the treatment.
These symptoms should however disappear within 1 - 3 days.
The teeth will always be lighter than they were; however some patients may need periodic
re-whitening for every one - two years, especially if there is continued use of caffeine or
tobacco products.
SMALL PRINT
Our quoted fee is per arch, inclusive of surgery time, lab constructed tray and initial
supply of chemicals.
Tooth whitening is never a NHS service as the taxpayer does not subsidise cosmetic
treatments.