1 hour appointment
After an examination and cleaning have already been completed and you are deemed to be suitable for a whitening procedure, we will prepare you by having you brush with a desensitising toothpaste for one week prior to the whitening. This toothpaste will help to relieve any sensitivity, which may be a short-term result of the professional whitening.
Local anaesthesia is not required unless you request it. During the appointment, a hydrogen peroxide-based gel will be carefully and evenly applied to your teeth, taking careful precautions to avoid the gums. The solution will be left on the teeth for 15-minute intervals and then washed away. Usually after three intervals of 15 minutes your teeth will have lifted in colour but a fourth interval could be done if necessary.
A relief gel will be applied to your teeth immediately after and we will review with you what food and beverages to stay away from for the next few days….and yes, coffee is on that list but don’t worry, it’s temporary!
Brief sensitivity will occur to even the most non-sensitive people, but will not last long. Brushing with desensitising toothpastes will help, as well as staying away from foods at both extremes in temperatures for the next couple of days. We may also recommend the application of Tooth Mousse which can help enhance whitening results and reduce sensitivity.
If in-chair whitening is not your thing or there are other reasons it’s not recommended, we do have other options such as home whitening application systems that we will discuss thoroughly with you. In some cases, the best result may be achieved with a combination of both. No two people are the same and we will tailor and recommend a plan best suited to you and your whitening goals.
At Mersey Dental we think it’s cool to wear sunglasses inside but you might need them all the time for that beaming smile you’ll have!
This is dependent on the type and degree of staining you have. Surfaces stains have been shown to respond very well to whitening procedures, whereas, deep staining may need a more specific approach and this may or may not involve whitening. If you are prone to tooth sensitivity then this may play a role in the type of whitening recommended for you.
We will discuss all this in detail during your check up and clean appointment, which is recommended before any whitening procedure.
Some sensitivity can be expected but this is usually temporary, from a few days to 2 weeks. Everyone has varying levels of sensitivity but rest assured, we will look after you throughout your entire whitening journey, not just while you’re in our chair!
It is important to note that any tooth bleaching is not permanent. Typically in-chair whitening results will be stable for around 12 months after which a touch up may be required, however, this can often be done with a home whitening application system.
There are many reasons whitening may not have been successful in the past including;
- Inadequate product concentration or expired product – often over the counter products are not effective enough to make enough impact with a colour change. If your product was expired, it may not be as effective.
- Incorrect diagnosis of the type of staining – all products and all stains are not the same. A dental professional must make the correct diagnosis and recommend the correct product and it’s use to achieve a colour change. Sometimes in-chair whitening is not the best treatment for you! We are not here to sell you products but to have an honest discussion around your cosmetic goals.
- Incorrect usage instructions – convenience is nice but some types of staining require a slow and steady approach to achieve a good result. You need a dental professional who knows what they are doing to assess your teeth and recommend the appropriate method.
Brush twice a day and floss once a day. Avoid coffee, tea, soft drinks, wine, turmeric and other pigmented foods and drinks. Rinse with water after eating/drinking any of the above mentioned. Regular professional cleanings can also ensure your teeth stay looking great!
Single in-chair whitening costs may be $500-$600
At home whitening application is usually $250-$300.
