Tooth whitening is a non-invasive procedure that uses hydrogen peroxide to whiten the teeth. The procedure required can be done at home with our ‘take home kits’ using a whitening solution in a custom-made tray which fits over the teeth like a mouth guard. It can also be done immediately in chair over a period of 90 minutes.

The length of time whitening lasts depends on your teeth and can be effected by high coloured food including coffee, tea, curry, and tomato based sauces causing relapse to occur faster. Often there will be a discernable lightening for at least 6 months, some patients maintain their results for years. The take-home trays can be used to give the teeth a ‘touch up’ when needed using the whitening solution over a few nights at home.

Tooth whitening works in the vast majority of cases. Approximately 95% of people will have a discernable lightening of their teeth after treatment. Some people will achieve a really dramatic whitening whilst the majority achieved a very acceptable result. You can talk to your dentist about what shade you hope to achieve.

Keep in mind however that tooth whitening will not: 

• Lighten old fillings. For a filling to match the new whiter teeth it has to be replaced. This especially is a consideration if you have fillings or crowns on the front teeth.
• Effect the discolouration caused by hidden decay or reduce shadow that can be associated with amalgam fillings.
• Change the colour of stained calculus or similar deposits. A clean prior to whitening is recommended to remove these.