Teeth whitening

What is it?

Teeth can become discoloured for several reasons. Tea and coffee, cigarettes and some medications can dull the teeth. Age is also a significant factor.

What is the procedure?

The most common procedure is to whiten the teeth by using a chemical bleaching agent. A custom tray is made to fit and the bleaching gel is added. You then wear the tray for a couple of hours a day (or sometimes overnight) for a period of 2-4 weeks depending on the degree of whitening wanted and needed.

How long does it last?

Teeth whitening is not a permanent process. Tea and coffee etc will still build up stainng over time. Typically the effect lasts for 1-2 years.

Pros

• Relatively cheap
• Effective results in a short period of time

Cons

• Isn't permanent
• May not work as well as expected on severly discoloured teeth
• The chemicals can cause some soreness and increased sensitivity