How does it work?

The application of the whitening gel to the teeth releases oxygen which gets into the microgrooves and whitens the discoloured sections of the teeth, caused by substances that stain, eg: tea, coffee, red wine, smoking and some medications.

Will it damage my teeth?

Not at all. This treatment is safe to use by a fully trained technician. The treatment will not affect the gums as these are all blocked and the gel is non-invasive so it will not damage the enamel. (no harsh chemicals are used in the treatment)

How long will the treatment take?

The whole experience can take up to one and half hours as we do a full consultation beforehand. The actual treatment lasts for between 30 - 40 minutes and this is done in 10 minute sessions.

How long will my teeth stay white for?

This totally depends on your lifestyle. How much tea, coffee, red wine, smoking, high coloured foods you consume all have to be taken into account. If you have these in moderation the treatment could last for up to 24 months.

Do I need to visit my dentist first?

It is always a good idea to visit your dentist before the teeth whitening treatment, to make sure your teeth are not corroding, or have any old fillings breaking down. This however is totally your choice. Visiting your hygienist could enhance the whitening, though you should not have a scale and polish under two weeks before or within two weeks after the treatment.

Will it make my teeth sensitive?

Some people do experience some sensitivity and some don’t, regardless of whether you have sensitive teeth or not. The treatment is painless, however if after the procedure you start to experience slight sensitivity you can use the desensitising gel that we give to all our patients. The sensitivity, if any, usually only lasts for that day.

I have some crowns, will it whiten them?

Crowns or white fillings cannot be whitened. However all the stains that they have accumulated since you had them fitted will be lifted. We make sure that we do not whiten your teeth lighter than your crowns etc.

How white will my teeth go?

This is something that is impossible to predict as everyone’s teeth are different. If the client’s teeth are stained by cigarettes, tea, coffee and other high coloured foods or drinks, you should have a good result and gain a great deal of whiteness. On average our patients teeth go 8 - 10 shades whiter, though this is no guarantee.

What is the procedure for teeth whitening?

First of all we go through a full consultation with you, including a medical history form, and consent form. We then measure the degree of whiteness your teeth already have with our tooth pegs, and get you ready for the treatment. We always block your gums to avoid any contact with the gel. The session then takes place in three lots of 10 minute sessions. After 30 minutes we re-measure the whiteness of your teeth and then do an extra 10 minutes if you request. At the end of the treatment you will be advised on how to maintain the whiteness and you will be given an aftercare list of things to avoid for the next 48 hours.

Do I need to follow a regime after the session to keep my teeth white?

Obviously general hygiene up keep and regular visits to you dentist help, however we do promote for you to use a maintenance kit once a week to keep your teeth white, especially if you are regularly exposed to high coloured food and drink. These kits are just painted on to your smile teeth and left on for 30 minutes. There is no trays or gels involved in this procedure.

How does it differ to teeth whitening kits in the shops?

Most of the systems you find in the shops will only lift the colour of your teeth by 4 shades, if you use it everyday for at least 14 days. This is usually done in the form of gels in trays and then the use of a blue light to activate the gel. Sometimes this can cause sensitivity every time you use it and it can be awkward to use. We would recommend that you only use this type of system to keep stains away once you have had your teeth professionally whitened.