What is teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening can be a very effective way of lightening the natural colour of your teeth without removing any of the tooth surfaces. It cannot create a colour change, but it may lighten the existing shade giving the impression that a tooth has become whiter.
Why would I need my teeth whitened?
There are a number of reasons why you might get your teeth whitened. Everyone is different; and just as our hair and skin colour vary, so do our teeth. Very few people have brilliant-white teeth, and our teeth can also become more discoloured as we get older.
Your teeth can also be stained on the surface by food and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine and blackcurrant. Smoking can also stain teeth.
‘Calculus’ or tartar can also affect the colour of your teeth. Some people may have staining under the surface, which can be caused by certain antibiotics or by tiny cracks in the teeth which take up stains.
How long does this take?
The total treatment can usually be done within two to three weeks. Some people can observe a definite change in the brightness of their teeth with a very few applications. However, for most, change can begin to be noticeable after 7 – 10 applications. You do not have to apply the gels once per day, instead if you wished, you can to do this several times in one day. This way you can shorten the length of time needed to achieve a desired result.
What other procedures are there?
We also can provide ‘power whitening’. During this procedure a rubber dam is put over your teeth to protect the gums, and a bleaching product is painted onto your teeth. Then a light or laser is shone on the teeth to activate the chemical. The light speeds up the reaction of the whitening product and the colour change can be achieved more quickly. Power whitening can achieve a lighter shade to your teeth at a shorter time than the usual home applications.
How long does chair-side power whitening take?
The procedure is carried out over two visits. A shorter first visit to take impressions and a longer second one, which can be take about two hours.
How long will my teeth stay whiter?
The effects of whitening are said to last up to three years. However, this will vary from person to person. The effect is less likely to last as long if you smoke, or eat or drink products that can stain your teeth. For most people there will be a need to ‘top up’ the effect once every few months at home by applying the gels to the teeth in the custom made trays for a couple of days
What are the side effects?
Some people may find that their teeth become sensitive to cold during or after the treatment for one or two days. These symptoms are usually temporary and should disappear within a few days of the treatment finishing.
When might teeth whitening not work?
Teeth whitening can only lighten your existing tooth colour. Also it only works on natural teeth. It will not work on any types of ‘false’ teeth such as dentures, crowns and veneers.
How can I look after my teeth once they have been whitened?
You can help to keep your teeth white by cutting down on the amount of food and drinks you have that can stain teeth. Don’t forget, stopping smoking can also help prevent discolouration and staining.
We offer a broad range of services to rejuvenate your smile, face and skin. These include provision of dental veneers as well as wrinkle treatment. For a more complete list treatments that we provide, please visit our services page.
10 Stanhope Place | Marble Arch
W2 2HH London | 020 7724 7440
info@stanhopeplace.com