Teeth Whitening
Lightening the tooth's own colour by a few shades without harming its structure.
Whitening does not place a covering over the tooth; it lightens the tooth’s own colour. The gel breaks down the colour molecules in the enamel and in the dentine beneath it.
How much lighter
The honest answer: it varies from person to person, usually 2–4 shades.
Not every tooth on the shade guide responds in the same way. Teeth with a yellow cast respond well to whitening; greyish ones lighten with more difficulty. For structural discolouration such as tetracycline staining, whitening alone is not enough.
Nobody comes out “snow white” — and nor should they. The colour of a natural tooth is not pure white; a result forced to the lightest end of the scale looks artificial.
Who it is not suitable for
- Anyone with decay or a leaking filling (these must be treated first)
- Anyone with gum recession — the exposed root surface does not whiten, it becomes sensitive
- Anyone with a crown or composite filling on a front tooth. These do not whiten; as the natural teeth lighten, the restorations stay darker and the difference becomes more obvious
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Anyone under 18
Sensitivity
Cold sensitivity may occur for a few days after whitening. It is temporary. It can be reduced by lowering the concentration of the gel or spacing out the sessions.
How long it lasts
Usually 1–3 years. Coffee, tea, smoking and red wine shorten it. It can be extended with a maintenance gel used at home.