Teeth Whitening

Tooth whitening is a safe and effective way to lighten your teeth to achieve a brighter smile, when used correctly it is non-damaging to your teeth. Our dentists offer ‘At home whitening’ using either the Colgate or Zoom! Systems- at home whitening is a simple and effective way to whiten your teeth. We have found these systems to be more effective, reliable and gentle on the teeth and gums than the ‘one hour’ whitening procedures.  

After a consultation and dental examination to rule out dental disease your dentist will take impressions (moulds) of your teeth, these are sent to our laboratory, here custom fitting trays are constructed which match the form of your teeth and gums. At your second visit your dentist will fit your trays and ensure they are a close fit and comfortable, he/she will then demonstrate how to use the peroxide-based whitening gel and how to place the trays to ensure they are safely used. They will also show your what to do after removal of the trays and how to combat any side effects. Common side effects include sensitivity (which is often transient) and Gum irritation (in serious cases burns) this can be caused if too much gel is placed or is placed incorrectly into the trays. 

The peroxide-based gel will not whiten white or silver fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges or denture teeth, this will be discussed during your initial consultation and a plan can be made to replace fillings or crowns, if appropriate, once you are happy with the shade of your teeth and the shade is stable. A professional clean (scale and polish) is recommended before starting your at home whitening treatment to remove any external stains or calculus. 

The treatment can take between 1-2 weeks; after each application your teeth will lighten gently and you have full control over the frequency you use the gel so you can control the shade of your teeth. 

Tooth whitening is not available on the NHS, your dentist will be happy to answer any questions you have regarding tooth whitening.