Teeth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without causing any damage to the teeth and surrounding tissues. Teeth whitening can help to improve the appearance of your teeth if they have darkened over time or become stained through food, drink or smoking. Teeth whitening however will not change the colour of crowns, bridges and dentures so if you have any dental restorations you may well have to have them replaced if you are looking to drastically change the colour of your natural teeth.
At your consultation appointment the dentist will assess you to determine whether you are suitable for teeth whitening and will be able to give you an idea of the results you can hope to expect. The correct treatment for you will depend on cost and lifestyle factors, with the treatment that can best fit into your schedule and provide the best results. Prior to any treatment the dentist may advise that you have an appointment with the hygienist this will ensure that any surface staining or plaque and calculus build ups are removed. This will ensure the best possible results from your teeth whitening treatment.
There are two main forms of teeth whitening that can either be used independently or together to get the best possible results.
1. In Chair Teeth whitening
This will be completed in the dental surgery. Whitening gel will be applied to the teeth either directly or by placing it in custom made whitening trays. This will then be activated using a special light. This process may be repeated two or three times in an hour sessionand you will be able to see a difference in the colour of your teeth immediately.
2. At home Teeth whitening
The dentist will take impressions of your teeth and will have custom made whitening trays created. You will then be given the whitening solution to put into the trays when you are at home. This treatment has the advantage of allowing you to fit treatment around your schedule. The length of time you need to wear the trays will vary dependent on the solution that the dentist prescribes, it can be anywhere from 30 minutes, to eight hours while you sleep. You would normally expect to see results within three to four weeks although this will depend on the depth of the staining and discolouration present on your teeth.
The effects of teeth whitening would be expected to last for a couple of years, but we would normally advise that you have a top up every year to keep your teeth looking bright.
If you would like more information on our teeth whitening treatments or to book an appointment please call Maidstone Dental and Implant Centre today on 01622 682 029 or go to our website request an appointment
