We understand with current Covid 19 restrictions that life has taken a strange turn for many of us this year. 2020 has been an ‘unprecedented’ period of time and no doubt a time that will go into the history books of the future.

With many of us needing to stay home, we are getting our heads around what is the ‘new normal’. Maybe you have been unable to have your usual appointments with your hairdresser or nail technician? However, there is a treatment you could have from the comfort of your own home. One that will give you a brighter, whiter smile, enabling you to flash that smile with confidence once restrictions are lifted again and that treatment is teeth whitening.

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is often thought of as one of the most dramatic ways to transform your teeth with relatively low costs. Here at The Edge Dental we use Enlighten teeth whitening. It is a world-renowned product with a 98% success rate.  It is also the only one that guarantees a Vita shade B1 for every patient.

People come to us and have thought about teeth whitening but often have questions. We will explore these a little further below: –

What is the process of teeth whitening?

You will need to have an initial consultation with us to ensure it is suitable for you. Then, accurate impressions are taken of your teeth. These get sent to the Enlighten lab for custom-made trays to be made.

You will be provided with a specialist serum toothpaste to use at home to prepare your teeth for the whitening process. Once we have received your tailor-made mouth trays back at the practice you will be asked to come in and we will show you how to use them at home.

You will be given special whitening gel to place in the trays and can wear them overnight or for the dedicated time given by your dentist during the day. These will be used for approximately 2- 3 weeks. The Enlighten Evolution Whitening is a combination treatment, meaning you also receive one hour of in-chair whitening, which lasts approximately one hour.

It is also possible to do solely home whitening with Enlighten. The custom-made trays are still produced, as these fit perfectly over the contours of yo ur teeth, which gives the most even results across your smile.

The trays are worn at your leisure at home. You can start and stop the treatment to suit your schedule and it is not a problem if a day is missed out. Great results can be seen within 7 to 14 days.

Is teeth whitening safe?

We use the Enlighten teeth whitening system. It is safe and meets all relevant governing bodies’ requirements. You can rest assured that the health of your teeth will not be at risk.

How long will teeth whitening last?

When carried out professionally, teeth whitening can last a long time or even permanently. You can have simple top ups every 6-9 months to keep the teeth white. You can do the top ups at home and we can provide you with these when necessary.

How long will it take?

The treatment usually takes around 2-4 weeks to achieve full results at home. We can estimate how long your treatment will take during your initial consultation. You will also be asked to come into the practice for your in-chair top up, which takes approximately 1 hour.

Will it hurt?

No, teeth whitening does not hurt. We will provide you with a specialist serum toothpaste to use at home to prepare your teeth for the whitening process. Some people do experience a little mild sensitivity in their teeth during or after the treatment. However, this should settle down within a couple of days after the treatment finishes.

If you do have any tooth sensitivity following teeth whitening, we can recommend suitable toothpaste and other products to help.

Will my teeth be too white?

You can discuss which shade of white you are looking to achieve. Many people opt for vita shade B1, deemed as the whitest shade that still appears natural in colour. Some people are now opting for even whiter shades, sometimes called the ‘Hollywood smile,’ but B1 is a great, whiter than white shade in our opinion!

 

Will whitening change my restorations?

Unfortunately, not. Teeth whitening products only work on your natural teeth. Therefore, crowns, dentures, and veneers won’t be whitened. If you are having work done such as veneers or composite bonding, for example, it might be better to get the whitening done first and then colour match them to your new, whiter shade.

Am I suitable for teeth whitening?

We can check whether you are suitable for teeth whitening. Many people are but if you have gum disease or bad tooth decay, we may not recommend the treatment.

You can view some of our teeth whitening before and afters so you can see the kind of results you can achieve.

We are always on hand to answer any questions you have about your smile and what can be done to enhance it. Give our friendly team a call on 01625 599001 or email info@theedgedental.co.uk