Tooth Whitening

1. Introduction
2. How long do wear the trays if I am doing home whitening?
3. Are there any side effects?
4. What is the difference between the Zoom whitening and the home whitening
5. How long does the whitening last?
6. Does the whitening harm my teeth or gums?

There are three ways we can whiten your teeth;

1. Zoom! In surgery one hour professional tooth whitening. This is an in surgery method where we use whitening gel and the special Zoom! Light. It takes approximately 1.5 hours.

2. Home Whitening. This treatment takes a lot longer than Zoom whitening, but results achieved are very good. A thin mouth guard is worn over the teeth for 12-15 sessions. The teeth show a gradual whitening and can be done at your convenience.

3. Porcelain Laminate Veneers. This is the treatment of choice for very discoloured, or previously restored teeth

End result of these is a brighter, whiter smile.

It is important to realise that all teeth are different, and that teeth whiten at different rates and by different amounts. Younger teeth whiten more rapidly than older teeth. At you consultation we will advise you which method suits you best.

Existing crowns, veneers or fillings will not change colour, and any of these which show in your smile may need replacing after whitening. Tooth whitening is an excellent solution to the problem of existing crowns or veneers which look whiter then the rest of your teeth. This often occurs with ageing and cannot be prevented
If you have crooked teeth or , would like a change of tooth shape then veneers are more suitable.

How long do I wear the trays if I am doing home whitening?

This depends on how much whiter you would like your teeth, and how dark they are when you start. If you have very dark or tetracycline staining it will take longer to bleach the teeth. Tetracycline staining can take several months of home whitening before they whiten. Some teeth will look much whiter after 4 or 5 treatments. The trays are placed over your teeth for 2-3 hours at a time, and you can do this as often as you like to get the colour you desire. The trays are very thin and comfortable, so you can wear them during the day, watching TV or sleep in them if you wish.

Are there any side effects?

The commonest side effect is tooth sensitivity. This is more common if you have a bit of gum recession around the necks of the teeth. If you experience any discomfort like this we do not therefore recommend wearing the whitening trays on every other day, and either using a de sensitising toothpaste or brushing the teeth with a fluoride gel. Any sensitivity disappears after a few days of finishing your tooth whitening.

What is the difference between the zoom whitening and the home whitening?

The simple answer is the length of time it takes. Zoom! Power whitening is a one hour procedure. We do recommend a follow up of a few treatments with the home whitening gel to give you the maximum whitening effect. All this will be fully discussed at you consultation appointment.

How long does the whitening last?

The new whiter smile you have will normally last quite well. However for the same reasons your teeth darkened originally, then they will start to darken from their new whiter colour. The rate is different for everybody. We normally suggest that you keep the whitening trays we provide for you, and as soon as you notice the new whiter colour darkening slightly you top it up with a few sessions of Zoom! Follow up gel.
Some patients like to top up every few months, others only every few years.

Does the whitening harm my teeth or gums?

Many studies have been carried out on the different whitening systems, and all have shown that the dentist prescribed systems are perfectly safe to the teeth and gums. It has been estimated that using dentist prescribed whitening systems is no more damaging than one can of fizzy drink.

Most of the over the counter whitening kits that can be purchased, while being a lot cheaper do not work very well. We do not recommend the use of these kits. We can generally state that whitening is suitable for just about everyone. However it is contra indicated if you are pregnant, you just have to wait a bit longer! . Teeth which are very worn, or heavily filled are also poor candidates for whitening. All these matters will be discussed with you at your initial consultation appointment.