Whiter, brighter teeth contribute to an attractive smile. Enamel stains or discoloration, trauma to baby teeth, which has stained permanent teeth and a general discolored pattern in teeth, can all benefit from bleaching. First, an examination should be done to make sure there are no other restoration related problems and that bleaching can be done.

Bleaching may be done using one of the following procedures:

1. Home bleaching procedure
2. Office bleach procedure

The bleaching gel is applied to your teeth by a bleaching tray (a thin plastic flexible mouth guard) so only the teeth to be bleached are covered by the gel. Impressions of your upper and lower teeth are made. This impression will be used to make a bleaching tray to specially fit your mouth exactly. When the tray is ready, you are shown how to use the gel and to apply it correctly. We usually advise wearing them for period of one to two hours at a time (day bleach), once to twice a day, over a two-week period. Or we now have another type of bleach (night bleach), which you wear over night for five days. You can choose the type of bleaching that best suits your lifestyle. Bleaching results usually last a long time, but will gradually fade, therefore we usually recommend a 6 or 12 monthly "touch up" treatment of 1 - 2 days duration. Your mouth is unlikely to change and so your trays will still fit.

Some people desire a faster result, in which case you can do an in office bleaching or power bleach. It takes about one hour of your time in the dentists' chair to lighten your teeth one or two shades. For best long term results we recommend you follow up with an at home bleaching routine.

The bleaching gel which is used has been proven to be a safe and effective treatment. It does not damage or weaken the enamel of teeth.
Some patients may experience a temporary increase in teeth sensitivity, although the gel concentration we use makes this unlikely. Should it occur we suggest stopping the bleaching process for 1 -2 days to give your teeth a rest, then continue the process.

Gum irritation may also occur, especially if you have gingivitis and bleeding gums to start with. For this reason we recommend a thorough teeth and gum cleaning prior to commencing the bleaching process. This also helps to remove any stains from your teeth and thus makes the bleaching more effective.

Severe tetracycline stains may not improve enough and an alternative treatment procedure such as porcelain veneers may be required.

NO! Bleaching will change the color of your teeth, but will not change the color of your fillings. For this reason, after your teeth have been satisfactorily whitened it may be necessary to replace some old fillings to better match the color of your teeth, and to do any new bonding procedures after bleaching.

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