Teeth are exposed to foods and substances that affect their colour. Tobacco, tea, coffee, wine and tartar build-up all contribute to staining.
Teeth whitening lightens the colour of teeth using a peroxide-based gel. It does not remove tooth structure. It is one of the more commonly requested cosmetic dental treatments and may be provided by a registered dental practitioner after an examination.
Whitening is not a one-off, permanent change. Teeth restain over time from food, drink and smoking, and repeat treatment is usually needed to maintain a lighter shade.
The Options
Whitening is available as a dentist-supplied take-home kit, as in-chair treatment, and as over-the-counter retail products. Take-home kits provided by a dentist use custom-fitted trays made from impressions of your teeth. In-chair treatment is carried out at the practice.
In Australia, products containing higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are restricted to use by registered dental practitioners, which is why professionally applied treatment differs from retail products.
What it costs
Published price guides commonly quote around $500 to $800 for a dentist-supplied take-home kit and around $800 per visit for in-chair whitening. These are indicative figures drawn from published sources rather than quotes, and fees differ between practices.
Fees at North Sydney Dentistry
A take-home kit is $449. In-chair teeth whitening cost is $549. Where a take-home kit is purchased together with in-chair treatment, the additional cost is $200.
What in-chair treatment involves
The appointment takes about an hour. The gums and soft tissues are isolated with a protective barrier, and the gel is applied in three cycles of roughly 15 minutes each. A fluoride gel is commonly applied afterwards to help manage sensitivity. See general information on fluoride.
We use the SDI Pola Office+ system. Different in-chair systems use similar peroxide chemistry and we make no claim that one system produces better or longer-lasting results than another.
What whitening can and cannot do
Results vary considerably between individuals depending on the cause of the discolouration, the starting shade and the enamel itself. Some staining responds poorly, including discolouration caused by certain medications, trauma to a tooth, or changes within the tooth structure.
Teeth whitening Sydney does not change the colour of crowns, veneers or fillings. Existing restorations may end up a noticeably different shade from the surrounding teeth and may need replacing to match, at additional cost.
An examination is needed before treatment. Whitening is not appropriate where there is untreated decay, gum disease, cracked teeth or exposed root surfaces, and your dentist may recommend against it or recommend other treatment first.
Risks and side effects
Tooth sensitivity and irritation of the gums and soft tissues are the most common side effects. These are usually temporary but can be significant, particularly where there is existing sensitivity or gum recession.
Whitening is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for children and adolescents. Discuss any of these circumstances with your dentist.
Aftercare
Your professional teeth whitening dentist will give you aftercare instructions, which usually include avoiding strongly coloured foods and drinks for a period after treatment.
To find out whether whitening is suitable for you, contact North Sydney Dentistry to arrange an examination.