In the technologically advanced world of cosmetic dentistry with its vast array of treatments for all kinds of dental disorders, it is one of the simplest, teeth whitening, that is often the most dramatic and certainly the most widely used.
The logic behind teeth whitening is just as simple as the process. Teeth discolour as we get older due to staining from food and drink, so whiter teeth make the patient look younger and more attractive. The major benefit of teeth whitening is that it can be used on virtually any patient and treatments are available for almost any budget and time allowance. Treatments range form one hour surgery sessions to two-week treatments including take home overnight trays. There is a plethora of different treatments available to suit every different kind of tooth, producing stunning results that can whiten teeth by up to ten shades.
The term whitening, as opposed to bleaching, refers to restoring the natural enamel colour of a tooth by removing dirt and debris. Therefore whitening can never make teeth look whiter than they are naturally supposed to be. This makes whitening a more organic and natural process than bleaching which actually stains white all the staining on the tooth’s surface. This can make teeth look unnaturally white and can even be dangerous if used in high concentration by inexperienced hands. For this reason South east London dentists recommend that all bleaching should be either performed or prepared by a professional, using approved treatment materials.
Both bleaching and whitening vary greatly in price depending on the extent of whitening to be carried out. The effects of teeth whitening can last up to three years before it needs repeating.
