Teeth Whitening
Cover up stains and whiten your teeth at home or in the dentist chair.
At Bracken Ridge Dental, we get requests from patients wanting whiter teeth almost every day! Teeth whitening treatments can be simple, quick and effective ways of brightening your smile and improving your self-confidence.
If you want to know more about your whitening options, book a consultation with our dentists in Bracken Ridge by calling (07) 3261 2405. You can also book online.
Is whitening the solution for me?
The best approach to brightening your smile depends on what caused the discolouration of your teeth. The most common reasons for teeth discolouration or stains are:
- Tobacco staining
- Drinking dark-coloured liquids such as coffee, cola, tea and red wine
- Oral health problems such as tooth decay
- Cracks in teeth
- Wear and tear from natural ageing
- Trauma or injury to the tooth
The best way to determine if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening is through a thorough dental examination. Our dentists can diagnose any issues that may need to be addressed first before whitening. In some cases, teeth or gum sensitivity may also preclude whitening as an option.
If you're not a candidate for teeth whitening, we will let you know if there are alternative solutions, such as porcelain veneers.
What are my teeth whitening options?
We offer several options for teeth whitening at Bracken Ridge Dental. The first stage is cleaning of your teeth, which may remove some stains from the tooth surfaces. We use a gentle ultrasonic instrument that vibrates the stains off and a special polishing paste to return the glossy surface on your teeth.
For other stains or discolouration deep within the tooth, we can discuss other whitening options.
One visit in-office whitening
Professional teeth whitening at Bracken Ridge Dental can usually be completed in a single appointment. We use the Philips Zoom! whitening system for the best results and to help reduce sensations for sensitive teeth and gums.
During your visit, your dentist will place a protective gel around your gums before applying the whitening gel. We use a high concentration hydrogen peroxide formula to effectively penetrate and whiten teeth, which is activated by a special LED light.
In-chair whitening usually takes around 60 minutes and involves several applications of the gel. We provide headphones for these long sessions so you can enjoy a movie of your choice on the mounted TV while we take care of your smile.
Take-home whitening kit
If you prefer to whiten your teeth at home, we can provide high precision fitted, custom made trays that hold the whitening gel onto your teeth. Our dentists will take moulds of your teeth to create your custom trays, which will be provided along with a whitening gel kit.
We will provide step-by-step guidance on how to use the gel and trays for safe and effective results. The trays should either be worn for a short amount of time each day or overnight. The treatment can take up to 2 weeks, depending on how much whitening you want.
We also provide complimentary tips and techniques to help reduce tooth and gum sensitivity. This includes desensitising toothpaste at no extra charge.
Internal whitening
For teeth that have turned dark because of trauma or root canal treatment, we use a protocol known as internal whitening. Your dentist places the gel within the tooth after root canal treatment and seals it with a temporary filling. This gel is replaced until a satisfactory result is obtained.
Will it work if I have a crown or veneers?
Unfortunately, teeth whitening only works on natural teeth. Fillings, crowns and veneers will not lighten with your other teeth, so they may need to be replaced if you want a perfectly matching smile.
If you also want to change the shape or size of your teeth at the same time, placing crown or veneers could be an alternative to whitening treatments.
How long will teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening is not a permanent treatment. If your teeth are well maintained, your results could last for years. However, darkly coloured foods, smoking, poor oral hygiene and other sources of stains will discolour the teeth faster.
It's also very important to avoid these sources of stains during the initial two weeks after your whitening treatment, as your teeth will be more porous and easily stained during this time.