Tooth Whitening
Tooth whitening is a bleaching process that lightens stains in the enamel of your teeth, to give a brighter tooth colour. Tooth whitening may be done to live teeth and to teeth that have had root canal treatment.
Newmarket Family Dental offers dentist strength whitening treatments that are effective and affordable. Dr Carolyn Langrell-Read will check your teeth and recommend the most appropriate treatment method to suit your individual needs and the level of tooth lightening you desire.
Before you have your teeth whitened it is important to check your teeth are suitable to be treated. Conditions such as dental decay, cracks, and gum disease may need to be treated prior to the whitening procedure. Root filled teeth will often need more advanced whitening procedures to remove the stain from within the tooth. Teeth with fillings and crowns will not lighten during the whitening process and may need to be changed after the whitening process has been completed.
Prior to undertaking a whitening process the teeth will need a professional cleaning procedure (Scaling and Polishing) to remove decolourations caused by plaque / calculus deposits and extrinsic stains such as tea / coffee / wine / coloured juices / smoking. If the bacterial deposits have resulted in gum infection (gingivitis or periodontitis) then this will need to be treated prior to commencing.
Teeth with recession related to tooth brush abrasion or to past gum disease may not be suitable for whitening processes.
How Does Tooth Whitening Work ?
You already know that whitening works, but do you know how?
Stains on teeth can be classified in one of two ways: extrinsic or intrinsic.
Extrinsic stains appear on the surface of your teeth. Intrinsic stains live between
the microcracks in your enamel and deep within your dentin (the layer of your tooth
underneath your enamel). Whitening toothpastes and mouth rinses may be able to remove
some of the extrinsic stains on your teeth. But only teeth whitening agents can remove
the stubborn extrinsic stains and the unsightly intrinsic stains that cause your teeth
to look discolored.
The gels used at Newmarket Family Dental Care contain an active whitening ingredient (either carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) that penetrates your enamel to get to discolored molecules. Oxygen
molecules from the whitening agents react with the discolored molecules in your teeth,
breaking the bonds that hold them together. The oxygen molecules spread, whitening the
entire tooth. As a result, you are left with a brighter, whiter smile.
Caution should be taken if you consider using home bleaching treatments without professional guidance.
Want to find out more?
Book in to see us to discuss the teeth whitening options that are best suited to your needs.
Professional Prophylaxis (cleaning and scaling) will remove unsightly bacterial plaque and hardened calculus deposits along with surface stains (Tea / coffee / wine and Tobacco) leaving your mouth fresher your gums healthier and the bonus of a new brighter / whiter smile.
Latest technology Tray bleaching with Opalescence Go – 6% or 15 % hydrogen peroxide allows you to whiten in your own time in the comfort of your own home
ZOOM Light activated Professional Whitening Treatment is provided in the clinic, over 1-1.5 hours for your convenience.
Root filled teeth are lightened by placing a bleach agent inside the tooth. This can be undertaken immediately following the completion of the root canal treatment, or at a later date if the tooth has discoloured in the years following root canal treatment.
The tooth is partially opened into where the root canal filling was placed – the root filling is sealed and the bleaching agent is placed inside the tooth. The tooth is then resealed and left for 7-10 days. It may be necessary to repeat the process 2-3 times to be effective.
If the root filling is older / poorly sealed or the tooth has signs of infection present the root filling will need to be retreated prior to the bleaching process.
Dr Langrell – Read will be happy to assess your personal situation and advise on the most appropriate whitening method for your personal situation.
Traumatised teeth treated with the assistance Accident Compensation Corporation funding may be eligible for subsidy towards the costs of whitening the tooth. Dr Carolyn Langrell-Read will be happy to arranged prior approval for ACC subsidy to assist with your treatment costs.
Are there side effects of home or dental clinic whitening treatments?
Some people will experience increased tooth and gum sensitivity during treatment. In most case this sensitivity will go away after treatment.
Dr Langrell-Read will be happy to discuss options for reducing tooth sensitivity during and after the bleaching process.
Long term research indicates that the structure of the tooth is not changed by the process.
What Are my options if standard whitening processes are not effective for my teeth?
In some cases whitening may be ineffective or may not be the most appropriate treatment to whiten your teeth.
Alternative treatment such as Dental Crowns or Dental Veneers may be more appropriate to meet your individual needs.