Love your smile

Here at The Dental Surgery we assist you in choosing the best path to enhancing your smile.

A bright white smile can be a huge confidence boost, as well as improving your overall appearance.

Smile Enhancing Options

Teeth whitening can depend on many factors including your lifestyle, the current shade of your teeth and the results you wish to achieve.

There are many options available to enhance the appearance of your teeth ranging from the removal of surface stains to the lightening of internal pigments of teeth and more complex restorative methods.

Our professional whitening treatments are safe, effective and administered by a trained dental professional. They are also tailored to your specific dental requirements, taking into account any oral health complications and assessment requirements, before you begin your ‘perfect smile’ journey.

 

  • Professional Teeth Whitening

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    Using carbamide peroxide gel in a custom fabricated tray is the traditional tried and tested way to lighten the internal pigments of teeth, thereby improving their appearance without altering any tooth structure. We create your own personal tray to fit your mouth comfortably which can be worn overnight or in an approved one hour session. Results can be seen after 10 – 14 applications and the tray can be reused as often as desired. As with the other treatments mentioned above, this will only affect natural teeth, other options will need to be considered to whiten veneer, crown and composite restorations.

  • Internal Bleaching

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    This is a very effective way to lighten non-vital teeth that have been discoloured over time or by trauma (particularly effective for patients who have had root canal treatments). Bleach is placed inside of the tooth for a week and removed or replaced until the desired result has been achieved. Using this technique, we can lighten the remaining tooth structure over several weeks to the desired shade in a very controlled way.

  • White Spots on Teeth

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    Have you ever noticed white spots on your teeth that are much lighter than the rest? This can be due to various causes, but often difficult to mask through at-home whitening alone (and can result in an even harsher discrepancy than before). This can now be treated, in most cases, in one session with our dentists using the “Icon” treatment – a “no drilling” solution that preserves the healthy tooth structure while improving the colour. To find out more call us for a consultation.

  • Composite Restorations, Veneers and Crowns

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    Some whitening treatments mentioned affect the colour of natural teeth and will not have a whitening effect on teeth of any other material (plastic, glass, metal, porcelain, etc.). In these cases alternative whitening treatment will have to be discussed and considered.

  • Airflow Scale and Polish

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    Often frequent hygiene treatments are enough to keep a natural smile clean and bright while maintaining the integrity of the tooth surface. All of our hygienists use the AirFlow technique in their treatments which remove stains quickly and painlessly with the use of silicone coated powder.

  • Whitening Toothpaste

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    Whitening toothpastes, like the Opalescence toothpaste available in our surgery, contains potassium nitrate and fluoride which aids in reviving the tooth’s natural whiteness.

'At home' Teeth Whitening treatment

Our at-home whitening treatment starts with an initial consultation with one of our dentists to assess your oral health and suitability.

Effective tooth whitening products containing or releasing between 0.1% and 6% hydrogen or 10% carbamide peroxide are not available over the counter and can only be prescribed by dental practitioners and professionals.

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    Following your initial consultation, we will take impressions of your teeth to make your custom whitening trays. Once your trays are ready, we will fit them to ensure they are comfortable and provide you with the whitening gel to use at home either overnight or for an hour as approved by your dentist. During this appointment we will explain how to use your kit and take a photo of the current shade of your teeth to monitor your progress.

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    Depending on the desired results the treatment will take between 10-15 applications. In most cases results can last as long as 12 – 18 months, however this will depend on each individual’s lifestyle. Avoiding staining agents such as cigarettes and wine means the effects will last longer before whitening maintenance is needed.

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    Teeth whitening gel only affects the colour of natural teeth and will not have a whitening effect on teeth of any other material (plastic, glass, metal, porcelain, etc.). Non-vital teeth that have been discoloured over time or by trauma may also be unaffected by this treatment. In these cases your dentist will discuss alternative whitening treatments for these teeth.

Frequently asked questions

With so many teeth whitening options on the market it is often tricky to understand what works and what doesn’t. We cover some of the most frequently answered questions below but please visit our blog for more advice from our dental team.

  • Is it safe?

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    Yes. Studies show that the effect on enamel of a total bleaching treatment using 10% carbamide peroxide (3% hydrogen peroxide), is equivalent to one carbonated drink. Although, if you are pregnant or nursing, we strongly urge you to seek medical advice before attempting any whitening procedures. Only undergo treatment provided by a dental professional.

  • How does it work

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    The Hydrogen Peroxide in professional tooth whitening gel breaks down the molecules that stain teeth into smaller colourless molecules, thereby giving a brightening effect.

  • Over the counter

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    Over the counter whitening products contain much lower strength of active ingredients than those prescribed by dentists, and although they may remove surface stains, they will not change the actual colour of your teeth.

Your teeth whitening questions answered

Get in touch today