Whitening is a procedure that is designed to lighten the colour of your teeth. When done by a licensed professional, whitening should not harm your teeth or gums. Significant lightning can be achieved in the majority of cases, but particular results CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. Whitening, like any other procedure, has some inherent risks and limitations. Although these risks are seldom serious enough to discourage one from having his or her teeth whitened, they should be considered in making a decision whether to have the procedure performed. There are many variables that can affect the outcome of the procedure, such as the type of discolouration that affects your teeth, the degree to which you follow our instructions and the overall condition of your teeth.
Who are the best candidates for whitening?
Almost anyone is a candidate for whitening. Experience shows that people with dark yellow or yellowish brown teeth sometimes achieve better whitening results than those with grey or bluish- grey teeth. Multi-coloured teeth especially if stained due to tetracycline do not whiten as well. In addition, teeth with many fillings, cavities, chips etc; are usually best treated through bonding, porcelain veneers or porcelain crowns.
What whitening types are available at Mismile?
Daywhite- Home Whitening: This process is carried out at home and involves wearing custom-made whitening trays that look like a thin transparent night guard. You place a drop of the whitening gel in the tooth compartment of the tray; you then wear the gel filled tray overnight for around 2-3 weeks. The advantages of home whitening include convenience and possibly less cost. The disadvantages include the inconvenience of wearing the whitening tray and that your results will depend on your consistent use of the tray.
Zoom – In Surgery Whitening: This process can usually be done in one visit. Your appointment will take 45 minutes to 1 hour. Due to the concentrated gel used in this procedure, a resin shield is used to protect your gums. Once the gums are protected, the gel is applied to the tooth surface. A special high intensity light will be used to further activate the gel for 3 fifteen minute sessions. The advantages of in office whitening are that we can do a lot of the work for you and you spend less overall time whitening your teeth. The disadvantages include some of the normal inconveniences associated with any dental treatment such as having to keep your mouth open for the duration of the procedure and the results again depend on each individual person.
Enlighten Deep Bleaching Package: Deep bleach is our most advanced technique. If you want teeth as white as they can naturally go then this is for you, this process involves wearing custom-made trays for 2-3 weeks at home using the Enlighten Whitening Gel followed by a session of Zoom Whitening (3 x 15 minute sessions).
Polanight: Deep bleach is our most advanced technique. If you want teeth as white as they can naturally go then this is for you, this process involves wearing custom-made trays for 1 x 90 minutes a day or overnight.
Communication
If you experience severe discomfort or any other problems, contact us immediately, but a small amount of sensitivity is quite common with teeth whitening and should subside once treatment is complete.
Clean Teeth
It is highly recommended that you have your teeth professionally cleaned prior to your visit and you must brush and floss just prior to the procedure.
Potential Problems
Tooth Sensitivity: During any whitening procedure some patients will experience sensitivity. If this occurs it will progressively subside once the treatment is complete. However if your teeth are generally sensitive anyway, whitening may make your teeth much more sensitive for an extended period of time. We always advise patients who suffer with sensitivity generally to use a de-sensitizing tooth paste prior to and during whitening treatments to help settle the pain.
Gum Irritation: Whitening may cause temporary inflammation of your gums. This can be the result of a small amount of the gel leaking under the gum protection or trays. This is a minor problem and will subside within an hour
Skin Irritation: While every effort is made to protect your lips, in certain patients we are unable to cover all the exposed surfaces. If this is the case you may end up with a mild sunburn. This can easily be treated with a topical lotion such as Aloe.
Effects of Fillings, Porcelain Restorations: You need to have cavities filled or badly leaking fillings refilled prior to whitening. In addition you must note that the whitening treatment will not lighten fillings or porcelain restoration such as crowns or veneers. These may need to be replaced to match your new whiter teeth following treatment.
Special Consideration: The Zoom! Whitening uses a light source that emits ultraviolet light in the UVA range. Although the output is less than half of the typical UVA exposure of commonly used facial and body full tanning units, the procedure incorporates significant protective and precautionary measures that are required for your protection. Our Practice is required to follow comprehensive directions for the use supplied by the light manufacturer. Nevertheless individuals undergoing PUVA therapy (Psoralen & UV Radiation) or other photo-chemotherapy, as well as those with melanoma should consult their physician prior to treatment. Patients taking light sensitive drugs also consult with their physician regarding possible photoreaction.
Relapse: Once your whitening is complete you may find that they can drop back a shade or two, this is normal as teeth can get a little dehydrated when whitening. To keep your teeth at a shade you are happy with you can use you teeth whitening trays periodically and top up gels can be purchased from our practice.
We recommend using the top up gels no more than every 6 months minimum.
An examination and prescription will be required if you haven’t attended the practice and been seen by a dentist for 2 years.
