Why Whiten?
Teeth whitening is a very effective way of cosmetically enhancing your smile. It is a quick, effective and does not harm the tooth surface. Whitening results can be seen in under two weeks.
Whats The Process?
Step 1. Consultation Shade Assessment & Teeth Scan
-Examination is conducted to check your are dentally healthy, a shade is taken of your current teeth and a 3D scan is taken to make your custom trays
Step 2. Tooth Whitening Fit
-The trays are fitted and you are shown how to use the gel.
Step 3. Brighter Teeth
-Brighter teeth will be achieved after 14 nights of use.
How Whitening Works?
Whitening works through the tooth’s semipermeablilty. The peroxide gel breaks down into hydrogen peroxide and urea, these diffuse into the tooth and undergo a reaction.
The oxidation of chromogenic molecules into smaller compounds results in a colour change which is what results in more light reflecting from the tooth hence the tooth appearing whiter!
How Long Are Results?
Teeth will naturally undergo a slight relapse following completion of whitening and reach a stabilisation phase. Longevity will depend on diet, social factor such as smoking and alcohol intake and oral hygiene. For most people you can expect 1-3 years.
Regular Top up whitening can help prolong your results.
FAQs
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The use of carbamide peroxide has been around since 1960’s and was first used in newborns for management of thrush! It’s use can also be found to improve gum health and arrest decay. It can be used safely for several months!
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Under EU cosmetic regulations 2009 only upto 0.1% hydrogen peroxide can be directly sold to consumers whilst anything above this must be sold to dental practitioners not retail.
This means the product you buy via retail like strips or toothpastes will not be as effective 😐
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Whitening gels in the UK are restricted to 16% carbamide peroxide this is a regulated concentration that can only be dentist prescribed for safe use in the mouth. ( stronger concentrations may be purchased online but this should be avoided due to the risk of harm to the natural tooth, gums and internal oral tissues, thus is illegal for dentist to prescribe any higher in the UK)
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6% hydrogen peroxide (Day Time/Top-up)
- this is a shorter acting bleach, good for top up whitening and those with minimal tooth sensitivity
- Usually worn for 1-2 hours with a whitening tray
10% and 16% carbamide peroxide ( night time bleaching)
- these are more common and there is most clinical evidence is based on the use of CP.
- these are worn at night within a whitening tray for 8-10hours why? The breakdown of the products active ingredients takes upto 10hours to release, the first 50% of the active ingredient will release within the first 2-4hours.