Teeth Whitening
In any form of art, an artist has a signature, a unique form that distinguishes their work and ability.
“Cosmetic dentistry is an art form, and my signature is to provide natural, noticeable results. Smiles with a “ wow factor” that appear like your own natural teeth with remarkable aesthetics.”
Dr Andrew Culbard
BDS (Gla) Dip MJDF, Dip Clin Orth, Dip Align
Case Study
Treatment at a Glance
Day whitening with 6% HP solution
1 - 2 visits required for Tray Fabrication
Night Whitening with 10% or 16% CP Solution
DURATION OF RESULTS: Tooth whitening is considered a permanent change in shape or colour of the teeth. However, it is likely that there will be some degree of regression of the shade over time. Whitening can be maintained with top-up syringes which are provided by your dentist.
Home Tooth Whitening
Custom whitening Trays
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Consultation to assess dental health and suitability
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Digital Scan for custom tray fabrication
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Selection of Day or Night Whitening available as desired
More About This treatment
There is only one product that can safely be used to whiten teeth – hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide in the correct concentration and formula is safe and extremely effective.
Hydrogen peroxide (HP) is that it rapidly breaks down into inactive by-products; within one to two hours it has broken down and is completely ineffective. As such Day whitening is a HP formula for 1-2 hour use.
A long release formulation is also available in the form of carbamide peroxide (CP) which is effective because it provides active hydrogen peroxide for 6-8 hours and is often branded as Night Whitening.
The British Dental Bleaching Society recommend using 10% Carbamide peroxide – giving a sustained release of 3% hydrogen peroxide as the most effective product. Twenty years of research have shown that this results in the most effective teeth-whitening, oddly giving better results than stronger concentrations.
Aftercare
Tooth whitening is a slow and steady treatment over a period of weeks.
For best results, a more neutral diet is preferred with a reduced number of foods or drinks which stain the teeth such a tea, coffee, red wine, food colourings, curries, turmeric, spices. Avoiding such food will provider fast and more noticeable results, however they are not a complete contraindication.
Sensitivity can be experienced and can be combatted with Sensodyne fluoride toothpaste, desensitising agents such as Potassium Nitrate which is provided with your home kit. Extreme sensitivity or pain is not normal and your dentist should be informed.
FAQ
Does composite bonding require the teeth to be filed down or damaged?
It is not common practice for the teeth to be filed before composite bonding. Normally, composite is an additive only procedure meaning that the teeth remain untouched below. However, the bond is a permanent one and for this reason the tooth surface many never be exactly as it once was.
Composite can be removed carefully without damage to the underlying tooth.
What exactly is composite bonding and how will it improve my smile?
Composite is a dental material that we can “bond” to the natural teeth. It has many purposes, usually to cosmetically improve the appearance of the teeth by adding length, fixing chips, closing gaps or masking dark teeth. It’s become very popular as a treatment for improving the smile as it does not ordinarily involve any filing of the teeth and is cost effective in comparison to porcelain veneers for example.
How long does a composite bonding appointment take?
The process starts with a consultation of course, where we will assess your dental health and suitability for the treatment. All being well, a treatment plan will be provided which usually consist of tooth whiting first to maximise the natural tooth shade before a single appointment for composite bonding which typically lasts 2-3 hours.
How long does composite bonding last?
Composite bonding is considered to be a permanent restoration of the teeth, however the longevity of the treatment can vary from person to person. Good oral hygiene and regular care will ensure the best longevity of the material. Average lifespan is 5-10 years, with maintainance occasionaly required.
I have a badly chipped front tooth - can this be fixed with composite bonding?
Again, composite is great for fixing even just a single tooth which has chipped or fractured, you don’t necessarily need to have multiple teeth treated.
How much does composite bonding cost and can I pay in instalments?
You can usually expect to pay around £2-300 per tooth. We can of course add this to a payment plan for you to pay in manageable bite sized instalments every month.