What are my choices?
Here at The Whyte House, we offer 2 main choices:
- Zoom!® Rapid Whitening, which is carried out in the dental chair in less than an hour
- Home Whitening, which you do yourself using custom-made clear gumshields into which you put the special whitening gel.
For best results, many patients opt for a combination of the two systems. Please see our Teeth Whitening page for further details.
Who does whitening work best on?
People who have healthy teeth and a good layer of enamel. It’s not recommended for people with badly broken down or decayed teeth.
Will it hurt?
Both Zoom! and the Home Whitening system are minimally invasive. You may get some sensitivity after treatment with both systems, but this will generally go within 24 hours.
Will it damage my teeth?
No. It is the least damaging, non-invasive cosmetic dentistry technique. There has been extensive research which suggests that, microscopically, there is no damage to the tooth surface if carried out properly by a trained professional.
What about results?
Everyone’s teeth are unique and will therefore react differently to whitening, with genetics tending to play a big part. Some people’s teeth are naturally less white than others. With the Rapid Whitening system, you’ll see noticeable results immediately after treatment. With the Home Whitening system, you’re likely to see the most noticeable results in the first couple of nights, as surface staining comes off most quickly.
How long will it take?
The Zoom! system can noticeably whiten teeth in an hour. However, to achieve their desired level of whiteness, many patients then choose to follow up with the Home Whitening system for three or more nights. On its own, Home Whitening takes about 7-10 nights on average, as the special gel isn’t as strong as that used with Zoom!
Will I go too white?
We’ve never had a patient complain their teeth are too white. You’re in control of how white you wish to go, although it’s worth discussing your desired level of whiteness first, as some complexions suit a very white tooth while others don’t.
How long does it last?
Teeth can stay whiter for years, but no whitening is permanent. It mostly depends on how well you look after your teeth: whitening doesn’t stop your teeth becoming stained again by things like tea, coffee, red wine or smoking.
Teeth also naturally tend to lose their whiteness as we get older. Many patients use the Home Whitening system to top up as needed – some of them once a month, others once a year – while other patients opt for Zoom! It all depends on what look you wish to maintain.
Any other advice?
Just because your teeth look white, doesn’t mean they are any better protected against plaque build-up or acid erosion. You should still follow a good oral hygiene routine: brushing twice a day, going for a dental check-up every six months, including a professional ‘scale & polish’, and avoiding excessive levels of acid in your diet. Also be warned that teeth are most susceptible to staining immediately after whitening treatment.
Is whitening for everyone?
Some tooth abnormalities can look worse after whitening. Also, teeth that are stained or greyish from using certain medication are more difficult to whiten and may be better suited to veneers or even crowns.
What if I’ve had root canal treatment?
There is also the option of internal whitening of individual teeth which have become darkened inside following a root treatment.
How much does it cost?
Please refer to our Price List for further details.
Want to learn more? Then why not check out our Teeth Whitening page.