Getting that whiter smile

Before

After

A cost-effective, safe and efficient way of getting a whiter smile is through cosmetic bleaching.

Enamel stains or discolourations, trauma to baby teeth which has stained permanent teeth, and a general discoloured pattern in teeth can all benefit from bleaching. Bleaching can also be the next step prior to cosmetic treatment to provide a uniform appearance.

A technique involving bleaching by your dentist at the practice combined with subsequent patient-applied bleaching can provide faster results for those wanting instant improvements.

Carbamide peroxide is a clear, sticky and sometimes flavoured bleaching solution. The most popular concentration is 10%, but the concentration ranges from 10% to 22%.

The 10% to 16% concentration requires a minimum of four hours of wear a day, while the 22% concentration should be limited to one hour a day. Your dentist will assess your individual needs and record the health of your gums to prescribe the correct concentration of carbamide peroxide for your treatment.

It may be necessary for you to have some preventive and restorative dental care before beginning a bleaching treatment. The length of the treatment may vary between 1 and 6 weeks, with an average treatment lasting between 7 and 14 days.

There can also be some side effects from bleaching, including gum irritation, sensitivity of the teeth while using the carbamide peroxide and penetration of the carbamide peroxide in the pulp (nerve centre) of the tooth. It is important that your treatment is closely monitored by your dentist.

The carbamide peroxide is applied to the teeth by a stent (a thin plastic flexible mouthguard) so the teeth are bathed for the time the carbamide peroxide has been applied.

An impression of your teeth is taken to make a stent specially to fit your mouth. The stent is trimmed to match the contour of your teeth with the border just below the gum line.

Your dentist will instruct you on how much carbamide peroxide to place in the stent and the amount of time you must wear it each day.

Bleaching should be limited to the treatment of problems with tooth enamel rather than used repeatedly to keep ahead of the results of stain-causing habits like smoking.