to 
TOOTH BLEACHING
A COST EFFECTIVE, EASY WAY TO ACHIEVE THE SMILE YOU WANT.
to
A GUIDE
What is the process?
An impression is made of the teeth and gums and from this a stone replica is made of the teeth. A thin flexible bleaching tray is made rather like an extremely small gumsheild. In the teeth moulds a small amount of the dental bleach, carbamine peroxide is applied and the tray is inserted for 4 hours or more. Many choose to wear it overnight. Whitening of the teeth generally takes 4-6 weeks although certain staining (e.g. tetracycline and heavy tobacco stain) may take longer. The upper arch is usually bleached first and the lower teeth bleached following the upper, although this is not a hard and fast rule.
Your dentist will go over all the steps and demonstrate the full procedure.
Is it safe?
Yes, not only is it safe, it does no harm to the teeth. Carbamine peroxide has been used in dentistry for many years without any detrimental effects to teeth or body. About 1 in 8 people experience some degree of sensitivity while undergoing tooth whitening. If this does occur then there are several measures that we can adopt to ease this.
How long does it last?
The analogy is likened to that of a face lift i.e. a person who has a face lift aged 50 might look 40, but in ten years he or she will look 50 again! Tooth bleaching turns back the clock as regards tooth colour and many do short top up sessions before holidays etc several years after the main bleaching treatment.
Are all teeth suitable?
No and much of the success of the bleaching is case selection. Front teeth that are heavily restored with fillings or crowns do not, in general, respond as well as teeth without fillings. Your dentist will be able to advise you of your suitability for bleaching.
Brown stains on the enamel respond well with bleaching but white marks on your teeth do not fade with bleaching and may in fact lighten.
How much will it cost?
The upper teeth are the most important to whiten as these along with the eyes and nose form the main fixed parts of the face. Cost for uppers only £185 With the lower teeth hidden to a greater extent behind the lower lip some people are quite happy not to bleach the lower teeth but if both upper and lower are to be bleached then the combined cost is £275