Tooth Whitening

There are many reasons why people have their teeth whitened. Whether it's to look better or feel more confident about yourself, tooth whitening can offer a substantial improvement to the quality and feel of your life.

What is tooth whitening?

There are many ways to alter the shade and appearance of your teeth, and tooth whitening is just one of them. The application of porcelain crowns or veneers is one of the most effective methods of whitening teeth as it involves the creation of porcelain covers which can be made to pretty much any desirable shade.

In contrast, tooth whitening is a much simpler approach involving the application of gels to the natural tooth surfaces in order to generate a lighter result. This can be achieved with special take home tooth trays - or more quickly in the dental surgery using an activating light.

Tooth whitening is a relatively cost effective and non destructive method to enhance the shade of your teeth.

How does this work?

Special whitening gels are applied to your teeth either in the form of home trays or in chair applications. These gels oxidise the prisms in tooth enamel lightening them over time.

Is tooth whitening safe?

Yes. Your dentist will carry out an assessment to ensure your teeth are in a healthy condition. It's recommended to avoid tooth whitening in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding women.

Is tooth whitening painful?

Some people experience transient sensitivity during the application of gels and possibly for a few days afterwards. To most people, this is very limited and can easily be overcome with headache tablets if necessary. Occasionally a patient will abort the treatment due to the sensitivity they are experiencing.

Are there any limitations or side effects?

Tooth whitening can be somewhat unpredictable, working better on some than others. The exact result cannot be predicted or guaranteed. Unlike porcelain crowns and veneers which are made in a lab from special porcelains, and then bonded to your teeth, whitening gels are merely applied to the surface of existing teeth. Whitening is works better on some teeth than others, and does not work on teeth that have artificial surfaces such as crowns, veneers and fillings etc.

To discuss the types of tooth whitening and which solution is right for you contact your surgery to arrange an appointment.
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