What To Expect when Getting Teeth Whitening?
Pre-Whitening consultation
Teeth whitening is the finishing touch to a healthy smile - that means we need to get your smile healthy before we start. Your dentist will give you a roadmap before you start the whitening
Scaling and Polishing
Plaque, calculus and surface staining are removed using an ultrasonic scaler and the teeth are polished
Retraction
Your cheeks and tongue are nudged out of the way using retractors that also help you keep your mouth open and relaxed for the duration of the appointment
Gingival Isolation
Your gums are protected using a shielding material that is then light cured
bleaching begins
The bleaching agent is then placed on your teeth and left to work
This step may be repeated depending on the desired shade outcome
[You may bring yourself a form of entertainment for this period as you just need to relax and let the magic happen!]
Once the desired outcome is reached the retractors and isolation are removed
Post-Whitening
The 24-48 hours following bleaching are extremely important in maximising the results:
Do not consume foods known to stain teeth [e.g. Turmeric, Coca-Cola, coffee, Red Wine]
Avoid extremely hot and cold foods
Strictly no smoking for 48 hours
Note that even once the appointment is done the bleaching process continues within your tooth - as such the final results are typically visible only after 2-3 weeks
Your dentist may ask you to come in for a follow up appointment
Your dentist will assist in managing possible sensitivity that may arise during/after treatment
Long term results
Bleaching results vary from patient to patient and the end-point is fixed for each patient - teeth will eventually return to their original shade.
The rate at which this return to original shade happens depends on the initial shade of the tooth before bleaching, habits such as smoking and coffee drinking etc.
Maintenance is a very important factor in determining how long the results of bleaching last and it can extend the lifespan of these results
Further "touch-up" bleaching can be done on a yearly/bi-annual basis