Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening is a very simple cosmetic treatment which can brighten your teeth quickly, comfortably and without breaking the bank.

We use only the best quality American systems Philips Zoom! NiteWhite and DayWhite.

The treatment will keep your teeth brighter than they were for at least two years, and our recommended home tray system means you can easily "top up" the effect every once in a while without the full original expense of new trays.

Scientific studies have continually shown that home whitening is the most effective method.  Whilst in-surgery treatment gives a faster boost, the effect doesn't last as well, because an element of it is simply your teeth drying out during treatment.

Some myths surrounding tooth whitening:

1.Stronger gel concentrations are better –actually stronger gels cause more sensitivity during treatment and do not get a better result in the end.  The law changed on 31st October 2012 to limit the permitted concentrations to 6% hydrogen peroxide release. Thus the strongest permissible Day White is 6% and Night White is 16%.  We have noticed higher concentrations being sold on the internet – these are at best old stock or at worst counterfeit with who knows what chemicals in them.

2.Beautician tooth whitening is just the same – sorry but for a number of reasons the treatment is not the same.  In the same law change of 31st October 2012 it was noted that it is illegal for anyone other than a dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist who is registered with the General Dental Council (you can check their web site) to perform tooth whitening or supply tooth whitening products to consumers.  So beauticians are whitening illegally, without insurance cover (their beautician's insurance will not cover illegal practice no matter what whitening companies claim), without the cross-infection controls in place in a dental practice, and without comprehensive training and knowledge of teeth, their supporting structures and how it relates to general health.

3.Dentists charge too much –I accept that dentists fees are higher for whitening, but the difference is actually very little, especially when you consider all the extra things noted in the previous point that contribute to the fee.  And if it goes horribly wrong at a beautician or high street or wedding fair type setting, what price do you put on burnt gums, acid removed tooth enamel needing veneers for the rest of your life, or hepatitis, AIDS or other infections spread by not taking excellent cross infection control.  John Ruskin was so right.

4.Laser whitening is the best –actually there are very few treatments using lasers – this is marketing hype.  The so called "lasers" are in fact only bright LED or halogen lights which heat the gels to make them work a bit faster or activate some chemical enzymes to speed up the process.  The downside of this is that too much heat will cause a tooth nerve to die, leading to root canal treatment.  As the tortoise said to the hare, slow and steady can win the race (or something like that!)