Whitening is one of the most common things patients ask us about, usually a few months out from a wedding, a job interview or a milestone birthday.
Which one you should choose depends on what has stained your teeth. There are three broad options, and they suit quite different kinds of staining.
Teeth whitening toothpastes, strips and products
Non-professional whitening treatments are also known as over-the-counter products, such as strips and toothpastes. These vary in price, difficulty of use and effectiveness.
Whitening toothpastes are effective for removing surface stains, but they cannot change the natural colour of the tooth. If you have noticeable staining from soft drinks, coffee or cigarettes, you can expect visible changes with regular use of a quality whitening toothpaste. If your discolouration runs deeper, there are other options better suited to the change you are after.
Impression tray whitening
Tray whitening is a good choice for people who like to do things themselves. Plastic bleaching trays are made to fit over your upper and lower teeth. You place whitening gel in the trays and seat them over your teeth.
The trays are worn for a prescribed period, often several hours a day or overnight, across a series of days or weeks as the whitening gradually takes effect.
Professional in-chair teeth whitening
Philips Zoom is an in-chair whitening system, carried out at the practice with a dentist present for the whole appointment. The change is visible by the time you leave the chair.
The complete procedure takes less than an hour, though a regular clean is recommended beforehand. It begins with a short preparation to cover the lips and gums, leaving the teeth exposed. The whitening gel is then applied and works with the Zoom light to break up stains and discolouration. The gel remains in place for 15 minutes while the light is activated, across three to four sessions.
At the end of treatment you are given a home-use touch-up kit that includes custom-fitted whitening trays.
Which one is right for you?
It depends on what is causing the discolouration, and that is not always obvious from the outside. Book a consultation with one of our dentists and we will tell you which treatment will work on your teeth, including when the honest answer is that a clean will do most of the job. Call (08) 9306 2755.