Over the years, teeth can become discoloured or stained due to coffee, tea, soft drinks, tobacco and other foods. Teeth Whitening can be done to remove these stains that have been absorbed and restore that dazzling smile.
It is important to note that teeth whitening works best on extrinsic stains caused by the above-mentioned and the results are less effective on intrinsic stains caused during the developmental stage of teeth formation. Do speak to one of our dentists to see if teeth whitening is a suitable treatment for you.
In-Office Whitening
This is a quick 1-hour procedure which can be complemented with a take-home touch up kit. During the procedure, a barrier material is used to protect the gums whilst a whitening gel is carefully applied over the teeth. A safe, whitening light is then used to activate the gel and whiten the teeth. Although teeth whitening is generally painless or done with minimal discomfort, some patients may still experience slight discomfort or sensitivity due to the higher concentration of whitening gel used during this procedure. Fluoride therapy is done after whitening to decrease the sensitivity. If a patient has very sensitive teeth, it is best to opt for the take-home whitening system.
Patients may experience slight sensitivity and are advised to avoid smoking and dark coloured food and drinks for the next 24 hours.
Take Home Whitening Kits
Home whitening kits are suitable for patients who wish to lighten their teeth gradually with minimal or no discomfort at the convenience of their own time. The dentist will record your initial tooth shade before taking a set of accurate impressions or moulds of your teeth. The moulds are then used to fabricate a set of customized upper and lower trays used to contain the whitening gel. The whitening gels contain between 10% to 20% of carbamide peroxide which is the active ingredient used to whiten your teeth. This is a much lower concentration used compared to in-office whitening. The duration of wear can range from 30-90 minutes daily depending on the concentration of the gel. Most patients achieve optimal results after wearing the trays over a period of approximately 14 to 21 days. A review appointment is made with the dentist to ensure the effectiveness of the product.
Patients are advised to avoid smoking and dark coloured food and drinks over the course of whitening. This is an easy and convenient way to whiten your teeth and the procedure can be repeated every few months.
In-office Internal Bleaching
This procedure can be done on a previously root canal treated tooth that has discoloured. At the first appointment, the dentist will assess the tooth and if suitable, a safe bleaching agent is placed inside the tooth and left in place for a few days. At the second appointment, the bleaching agent is removed and the tooth is restored if the shade is ideal.