Take-home whitening, supervised by your dentist
Whitening is carried out after an examination and supervised by your dentist. The aim is a shade that suits you; how much change is achievable varies from person to person, and not all discolouration responds.
Why teeth darken
Enamel thins with age and the darker dentine beneath begins to show. Tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco add surface staining on top of that.
Discolouration can be on the surface or within the tooth. Different causes respond differently to whitening, and some need another approach. An examination helps us understand the cause and discuss what improvement may be realistic.
That is why we examine first. Whitening a tooth that needs treatment simply delays the real problem.
Your options
- Take-home whitening with custom-made trays, used gradually under your dentist's supervision
- A professional clean first, which can remove some surface staining
- Other approaches, such as conservative bonding, where whitening is not the right tool
Sensitivity, risks and suitability
Tooth sensitivity and gum irritation are common side effects. They are often temporary, but this varies between individuals. Supervising the treatment lets us adjust concentration and timing, and take care of the gums during it.
Whitening is not suitable for everyone. It does not change the colour of fillings, crowns or veneers, it is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and some discolouration will not respond to it. We go through your history and examine your teeth before recommending it.
After whitening
Whitening is not permanent. Staining can return, depending largely on diet and habits. Your dentist can advise whether any further whitening is appropriate for you.
Leaving a healthy natural shade as it is remains a perfectly reasonable choice. Whitening is optional.
Thinking about whitening?
Call us to arrange an examination. Your dentist can then tell you whether whitening is suitable for your teeth and what result is realistic.
Call 03 5989 2144