Tooth Whitening

What is Tooth Whitening?

Tooth whitening (or bleaching) is a simple, non-invasive dental treatment used to change the colour of natural tooth enamel and is an ideal way to enhance the beauty of your smile. Having white teeth has now become the number one aesthetic concern of most patients.

Methods of Tooth Whitening

Basically, there are two main ways to whiten teeth, one is Take-home whitening system and the other is In-chair whitening system.

Take-home Tooth Whitening

Take-home whitening is more common in people who prefer the comfort and privacy of their home to achieve the desired results. In-chair whitening consists of high-strength whitening gels that is activated by a high energy light source under the supervision of your dentist. Since tooth whitening only works on natural tooth enamel, it is important to consider replacement of any old fillings, crowns, etc. In-chair whitening involves replacement of any restorations that are being done after bleaching to match with the newly bleached teeth.

In-Chair Tooth Whitening

In-chair whitening may achieve up to eight shades lighter in a 90-minute treatment session. Tooth whitening is not permanent. A touch up may be needed after a year or so, and more often if you smoke, drink coffee, tea, or wine.

Reasons for Tooth Whitening

Some important reasons for tooth whitening are:

• Fluorosis (excessive fluoridation during tooth development)
• Normal wear of outer tooth layer
• Stained teeth due to medications (tetracycline, etc.)
• Yellow, brown stained teeth

Tooth Whitening Procedures

In-chair tooth whitening usually requires two visits. At the first appointment, impressions (moulds) will be made of your teeth to fabricate custom clear plastic trays.

At your second appointment, you will try on the trays for proper fit, and adjustments will be made if necessary. The trays are worn with special whitening solution either twice a day for 30 minutes or overnight for a couple of weeks depending on the degree of staining and desired level of whitening. It is normal to experience tooth sensitivity during the time you are whitening your teeth, but it will subside shortly after you have stopped bleaching.

Adelaide Teeth Whitening

Having a white smile means having more confidence and feeling better about yourself. Tooth whitening is one of the most popular and simplest procedures available in dentistry today. You can have your teeth whitened in our office in only 1 hour or at home for 30 minutes a day for 10 to 12 days. Using the LASER BRITE system in-office tooth whitening is the quickest, most effective way to achieve a brighter smile. Whether you are looking for a change that is subtle or dramatic, we can help you achieve a whiter, more beautiful smile.

Tooth Whitening Options offered by Cumberland Dental

At Cumberland Dental, you can choose from the latest tooth whitening procedures and materials. We offer various options to fit into your lifestyle.

• Laserbrite (in office, in less than 1 hour)
• Home whitening
• Combination--Laserbrite with Home Whitening

Tooth Whitening Consultation

If you want to have your teeth whitened, Dr Gaffey recommends scheduling an appointment for a Free Whitening consultation. Patients need to be made fully aware of the benefits and possible side effects of teeth whitening.

Your consultation enables us to advise on the most suitable treatment for the type of whitening results. The effectiveness and final result vary for each person. Teeth whitening in the majority of cases will deliver excellent results which are both astounding and instant! However, whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration and will not lighten bonding or tooth-coloured fillings located on your front teeth. After tooth whitening, these fillings can stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, like porcelain veneers or dental bonding.

That's why its best to have your teeth evaluated so we can select the best and most effective whitening option for you.

To learn more about tooth whitening, please contact us today!