Teeth Whitening

All our teeth whitening treatments are offered subject to an initial assessment to determine the suitability of the treatment. We are honest, open and truthful about teeth whitening and say to all our patients that there are no guarantees on what the final colour of their teeth will be. This is because results vary considerably from one individual to another and it is almost impossible to predict how white your teeth will become at the end of your treatment. Practices that make bold statements about the outcome and who say that there will be an 8-10 shades improvement after the whitening treatment only create a false expectation which can easily lead to disappointment.  Regardless of how well you care for your teeth, it is inevitable that, over time, some yellowing or discoloration will occur. This gradual change can be caused by aging, substances that stain your teeth (such as coffee and tobacco), excessive fluoride, or the deterioration of a tooth’s nerve. A tooth whitening treatment can be performed either as an at-home, dentist-supervised process or in the dentist’s chair. While neither of these methods stops future discoloration, these treatments bring about whiter teeth and help create a more vibrant smile.

Treatments offered at Family Dental Care include:

Chairside Whitening

Teeth whitening is performed at the chair side and the treatment involves coating the teeth with a 6% hydrogen peroxide containing gel which is very safe to use and rarely causes any sensitivity. When the laser lamp is applied to the gel on the tooth surface, the tooth’s enamel takes on a whiter appearance. The powerful lamp accelerates the release of tiny oxygen bubbles from the gel onto the tooth enamel removing the intrinsic staining. This technique lasts approximately two hours in the dentist’s chair.  While more convenient than take-home treatments, it is more expensive and the results may not be as long lasting; factors affecting this would be individual habits such as smoking, drinking frequent cups of tea and/or coffee. We usually advise a combination of laser whitening and customised bleaching trays for the take home whitening to maximise the results.

At-home Whitening

The most popular method of whitening teeth is the home whitening system.  During your visit to the dentist an impression of your teeth is taken and a comfortable customized whitening tray is created. This tray holds the whitening gel which contains 6% hydrogen peroxide. The tray is placed inside the mouth, and sits only against the teeth, thereby avoiding contact with the gums. With the system we use it is not necessary to wear the tray overnight.  Instead we recommend leaving the tray in the mouth for 45 minutes in the evening after the last meal of the day. Usually the treatment is over 7-10 days.

Patient Concerns

When using the at-home treatment, patient’s teeth may feel a heightened, but temporary, sensitivity. The gums may also feel more sensitive or burn slightly. Not all people experience the quality of whiteness they had hoped for on their first treatment and they may require a “touch-up” treatment. Whitening treatments begin to fade in one to four years. It should be noted that tooth whitening treatments have no effect on the artificial materials used for bonds, veneers, or capped teeth.