Teeth whitening is a great way to brighten your smile and give you smiling confidence. In Brisbane, there are a range of options to whiten your teeth however, not all whitening treatments and products are the same. It is important to consult with a dental specialist before commencing any kind of teeth whitening, this will ensure you will not damage your teeth or spend money on ineffective treatments.
So, what are your options when it comes to teeth whitening in Brisbane and how do they compare? Read below!
What teeth whitening options are available at Toowong Orthodontics?
1. Philips Zoom In-Clinic Teeth Whitening
Zoom Teeth Whitening is the fastest way to achieve noticeable results in one session and can last between 6 months and 3 years depending on your diet. Only available through a dental specialist, Zoom teeth whitening involves an appointment at the clinic that takes approximately an hour and can make your teeth up to 8 shades whiter. It also includes take home custom mouth trays and two top up whitening syringes with whitening gel, so you can follow up your whitening treatment at home.
2. Philips Zoom! Day White (14% Hydrogen Peroxide)
Our orthodontist approved take home whitening kits are a cost-effective way to progressively whiten your teeth over a few weeks. Simply use for 30-minute sessions (can be used daily) until your desired white shade is achieved. The kit includes 2.4mL syringes with up to 6 uses of the whitening gel and custom clear trays made to fit over teeth like a thin mouthguard or orthodontic retainer. This whitening treatment is best suited to patients with sensitive teeth or who want to progressively achieve whiter teeth at a lower cost.
In-clinic whitening gives longer lasting results, only takes an hour appointment and is more effective than home whitening kits. Not everyone is suitable for in-clinic teeth whitening, so it’s important to have a consultation prior to the whitening treatment, as the take home kit may be a better option for you!
How does this compare to whitening options you can buy online or from a chemist?
Not everyone is suitable for teeth whitening and when purchasing off the shelf kits, there are no checks in place to see if you’re a good candidate for whitening. There are also higher risks of experiencing side effects when not performed by a registered professional, and the whitening percentage and well-fitting trays offered by dental specialists give better results and less risk of chemical burns. Overall, it is safer and more effective to use whitening treatments from a dental specialist than from the store and means you’ll be smiling out loud from the results!
How does teeth whitening work?
Whitening products contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide which penetrate into tooth enamel and chemically break down the staining. Whitening products vary in terms of the concentration and this is why some whitening products and procedures work better and/or faster than others.
Is everyone suitable for teeth whitening?
It is important to have a consultation with a dental specialist to determine if you are suitable for teeth whitening treatments and to discuss the goals you wish to achieve by completing treatment.
A common concern of patients is the removal of stains and it is important to recognise there are two types of stains that can occur: intrinsic (within your teeth) or extrinsic (on the surface of your teeth). Professional cleaning and some toothpastes are able to remove extrinsic stains, but intrinsic stains need a dental solution to penetrate into the teeth and break carbon bonds. Some stains are much more difficult to break down – brown, black and purple shades are much more difficult to treat, for example antibiotic staining.
Teeth whitening is not suitable for those who are pregnant, breastfeeding and those with crowns, veneers or composite as the teeth will not lighten.
How long will the results last?
Teeth whitening won’t last forever and how long it does last for varies considerably, most commonly between 6 months and 3 years, depending on diet and lifestyle. Typically, the in-clinic whitening will have the longest lasting results as the hydrogen peroxide penetrates deeper into the enamel.
What will affect my teeth whitening?
There are a number of contributors that will impact how long your teeth whitening lasts for including diet, medications and smoking. Diet is key with a range of food and drinks, including tea, coffee, red wine, beetroot, turmeric and saffron impacting your teeth whitening. It is recommended 24 hours post whitening treatment to stick with white foods only, for example, potato, fish and bread.
As a specialist orthodontist in Brisbane we offer teeth whitening treatments that will make you smile out loud! Book a consultation with us now to see what whitening treatment is right for you.
We transform smiles for patients in Toowong, Ashgrove, Auchenflower, Bardon, Chapel Hill, Indooroopilly, Kenmore, Paddington, Sherwood, St Lucia, Taringa.