Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic dental treatment. It can be a very effective method to brighten natural tooth enamel, and it can be used in conjunction with other cosmetic dental treatments.
To ensure that you are receiving the best possible care, we will only provide this service if whitening is likely to be successful. Some teeth will not respond well to whitening gels and therefore require other whitening options, like veneers or crowns. Dr Teo will assess your teeth and dental health and will recommend the options suitable for your individual situation.
We offer two options for teeth whitening:
- Custom-made whitening trays to use at home
- In-chair power whitening
Custom-Made Whitening Trays to Use at Home
Take-home, custom-made trays for whitening your teeth at home is a great option for most people. We take impressions of your teeth, which are used to make customised whitening trays that fit snugly over your teeth.
We provide you with whitening gel to use in these trays. You’ll be shown how to load the gel into your trays. You’ll need enough to cover the enamel of the front surfaces of your teeth but not so much that the trays overflow, as this may cause irritation to the gums.
You’ll be directed to wear your whitening trays for two hours daily for about two weeks. This is generally all the time required to achieve a pleasing result. However, some teeth require longer treatment times.
Some people may experience transient tooth sensitivity. We will provide you with instructions on how to minimise any discomfort. However, if sensitivity occurs, please feel free to contact us so that we can help you to proceed with your whitening with maximum comfort.
In-Chair Power Whitening
If you prefer to accelerate your teeth whitening, we provide an In-Chair Power Whitening procedure using a professional-strength whitening product. Typically we will allow an hour for this appointment, although this may vary depending on your individual requirements.
Results are visible immediately after the appointment. The degree of whitening achieved varies from case to case. This treatment includes custom-made whitening trays to take home for ‘touch-ups’ in the future if you desire.
Whitening Touch-Ups
Many of us consume foods and beverages that can stain teeth: tea, coffee, red jams, vegemite, red wine, curries and so on. You can use your Custom Made Whitening Trays to reduce the effect of these stains every few months as desired.
Taking Care of Your Teeth Whitening Trays
If your whitening trays are distorted, torn or no longer fitting snugly, please do not attempt to use them. The gel can leak out and cause irritation to your gums, mouth and/or throat. It will be necessary to have new trays made so that your home whitening and touch-ups can be done safely and effectively.