The Procedure
How your whitening is performed will depend on the type of procedure you have. All teeth whitening is based on a hydrogen peroxide solution; the only difference in the hundreds of systems out there is the concentration and the way the solution is applied to your teeth. There are two forms of professional whitening treatments: ‘in-surgery whitening and at-home whitening.
The take home whitening kits provide more permanent results over a longer time scale whereas laser whitening offers immediate results. A combination of the two provides the perfect solution to both immediate and long-term whitening.
Before you undergo treatment you will need to have a check up and consultation with a dentist to make sure you are a suitable candidate for whitening. If you have any cavities these will need to be treated before you have your whitening as the whitening gel may cause damage to decaying teeth. You may also need to see a dental hygienist first or give your teeth a quick clean to remove plaque and tartar.
At-Home Whitening
If you have home whitening you will need to have a couple of appointments to complete your treatment. Your dentist will need to make a mould of your mouth first. The mould will then be sent to a laboratory and a tray is made for you to use at home. The dentist will make sure the tray fits your teeth perfectly and will then provide you with whitening gel to take home with you. Depending on the bleaching agent used by your dentist, the tray is worn for a few hours each day, or possibly overnight for a week to ten days. Your trays should be very comfortable and easy to get used to. You may notice that your teeth may start to get whiter immediately, but it is important to carry on wearing your tray up to three to four weeks to achieve the whiteness you desire and longer-lasting results.
One of the benefits of at home whitening is that you can keep your trays and do top at treatments when needed. Another benefit is that it gives you and your dentist more control over the outcome of your treatment as the results are more gradual.
In-Surgery Whitening
In-surgery whitening is done using laser or power bleaching. Your dentist will be able to explain the pros and cons of each system and recommend one that is suited to your teeth.
Depending on the technique chosen, your dentist may use a special shield to protect your gums. A concentrated peroxide-based gel is then applied directly to your teeth. This gel contains a professional strength formula that ensures the laser accomplishes the maximum possible amount of teeth whitening. The gel is then activated with heat or light. The process usually takes about an hour, and whitens teeth by as many as 10 shades. In extreme cases, the laser teeth whitening procedure may need to be repeated to address deep stains caused by medications such as tetracycline.
The main benefit of in office whitening is the quick and instant results you get. It does not have as much of a long term effect as at home whitening but some dentists may also provide you with at home whitening trays to maximize your results.
