What is tooth whitening?
Professional tooth whitening can be performed to lighten the colour of your natural teeth. We use a few different whitening systems that achieve significant colour change in many cases. There is no guarantee for how your teeth will respond to whitening treatment. Some shades of teeth respond better to a slower whitening process, while others will react well to a fast process. Only natural teeth will change colour. Existing fillings, crowns or veneers will stay the same.
Long term results
The long term results of teeth whitening will vary from person to person. The outcome is usually determined by the factors that caused discolouration in the first place, such as consuming highly coloured foods or drinks. Touch up treatments may be required every six to 12 months to maintain your desired colour.
Where to start
If you are considering teeth whitening, the best place to start is a discussion with your dentist about what you are hoping to achieve. If you do not attend the dentist routinely, it is recommended to have a thorough examination to check for any problems that may be effected by the whitening process. In most cases, a professional clean is required before whitening to remove calculus build up and any stains on the outside surfaces of teeth.
In-office whitening
In-office tooth whitening produces maximum whitening result in the shortest possible time. Immediate whitening results can be quite dramatic due to minor dehydration of your teeth. It is normal for the colour to tone down somewhat after treatment when your teeth re-hydrate.
Take home whitening
The take home whitening system offered at our practice includes custom made trays and whitening gel, along with professional advice and instruction. After whitening your teeth for the duration recommended by your dentist, we like to see you again to check your results.
Internal bleaching
Sometimes patients notice that their tooth has turned grey after a root canal treatment. Internal bleaching is the process that is performed to improve the colour of teeth that have had root canal treatment.
If you are interested in whitening your teeth or you have any questions, please call us on (07) 5495 4266. You can also book an appointment online by clicking here.
