Teeth Whitening in Canary Wharf

What options do I have for teeth whitening?

There are generally 4 options to whiten your teeth:

Non-professional:

• Over the counter products e.g. toothpaste, strips etc. – These are cheap but do not give obvious long term results

Professional:

• At-Home Teeth Whitening
• In-Chair Teeth Whitening
• Combination Teeth Whitening (At home + In-chair) – This is a premium system

These systems will give better and more consistent long-term results.

At Platinum Dental Care, we use the Enlighten^®  (combination system) and Zoom^® (At-Home system) whitening systems for their excellent results and ease of use.

How does teeth whitening work?

All professional systems involve a teeth whitening gel, placed inside a tray which is worn over the teeth. Once the gel comes into contact with the teeth it goes through the teeth and spreads. The gel then breaks down into oxygen and water which breaks up all the discoloured pigments, slowly whitening the entire tooth in the process.

Both our professional systems take approximately 4 weeks to whiten teeth.

Zoom^® At-Home Teeth Whitening System:

 A precise mould of your teeth is taken to make custom made trays. On the instruction of your dentist, the teeth whitening gel is placed into the tray, fitted over your teeth and worn overnight for 14 consecutive days. Your teeth will gradually whiten over this time, resulting in a beautiful smile. These results can last up to one year, however, monthly top-up and 6 monthly hygiene sessions are recommended to maintain the colour.

Enlighten^® Teeth Whitening System:

This is a combination of teeth whitening systems. A precise mould of your teeth is taken to make custom made trays. This takes 2 weeks and in that time you will be given a special de-sensitising tooth serum to use daily. On the instruction of your dentist, the teeth whitening gel is placed into the tray, fitted over your teeth and worn overnight for 14 consecutive days.  You will be given two different strengths of gel, one for each week to gradually whiten your teeth. On the 15^th day, you will have two short in-chair teeth whitening sessions, with a more potent gel, carried out by your dentist. This will give you a final natural but stunning smile that can last up to one year. Monthly top-up and 6 monthly hygiene sessions are recommended to maintain the colour.

Would teeth whitening work for me?

Professional whitening treatments are a non-invasive, easy and affordable option for most people looking to enhance their smile. However, it is essential you and your dentist consider your oral health and any restorative dental work you need before deciding if teeth whitening treatments are right for you.

Whitening treatments do not change the colour of fillings, crowns or veneers, and so any existing restorative work may need to be upgraded afterwards, to match the new colour of your natural teeth.

Your dentist can advise you as to whether you would benefit from teeth whitening or if an alternative option like having professional cleaning and Airflow^® may be more suitable.

Is teeth whitening safe?

When overseen by a professional, teeth whitening is a safe and regulated treatment. Dentists have used these materials to whiten teeth for over a century.

Only a dentist can legally perform teeth whitening in the UK according to The Dentists Act (1984). The dental professionals at Platinum Dental Care are thoroughly familiar and experienced with administering whitening treatments and achieving fantastic results.

Does teeth whitening have side effects?

Side effects of teeth whitening treatments are uncommon. For individuals with existing tooth sensitivity, it is possible to feel more sensitivity in the teeth during and after the process, but only for a short time.

It is best to talk to your dentist about any concerns you may have regarding tooth sensitivity before deciding to begin treatment.

How much does teeth whitening cost?

Cost is an important factor in cosmetic dentistry for most patients. Teeth whitening is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the appearance of your smile.

If you decide to take the whitening route, initial consultation with a dentist will be necessary and you will need to be dentally healthy. The cost typically ranges from £350-£700, depending on your specific case and the method of teeth whitening you choose.

How long will the results last?

The results of teeth whitening can last up to a year with proper maintenance. However, this depends on several factors such as the quality of your existing teeth, diet, grinding and clenching habits, oral hygiene and smoking etc. Your dentist can advise you on how to top-up your whitening to help maintain your results.

How can I take care of my teeth after my treatment?

Avoiding the consumption of coffee, tea and red wine can protect the teeth from further staining. Another way to keep your smile beautiful is to avoid smoking, which is a major cause of tooth discolouration.

Maintaining good dental hygiene habits, including brushing your teeth twice a day and regular visits to the dentist and hygienist, will also keep your teeth healthy and bright.

How does Philips Zoom! ^® Home-Based Whitening work?

You will first need to schedule a consultation with your dentist. At this appointment, your dentist will check your oral health and discuss the results you are expecting from your teeth whitening treatment. They will then recommend a suitable kit.

The Zoom! ^® whitening gel works by spreading through the teeth and breaking down the compounds which cause discolouration. 

Your dentist will take a mould of your teeth, which they will send to a dental laboratory to have your custom whitening trays made, which take around two weeks to arrive.

Once they’re ready, your dentist will check the fit of the trays and instruct you on how to apply the whitening gels. The trays should be worn overnight. An advantage of this home-based whitening kit is that it’s flexible. You can stop and start your treatment to suit your schedule and the colour you are trying to achieve.

Is the Philips Zoom! ^® Home-Based Whitening kit safe?

The Philips Zoom! ^® whitening kit is a very safe way to whiten your teeth at home. Because some whitening agents can cause gum irritation or tooth sensitivity in certain individuals, your whitening process will not begin until your dentist has assessed your oral health and discussed any concerns with you.

What are the possible side effects?

Side effects of teeth whitening treatments are uncommon. For individuals with existing tooth sensitivity, it is possible to feel more sensitivity in the teeth during and after the process, but only for a short time.

Philips Zoom! ^® at-home whitening kits contain potassium nitrate and amorphous calcium phosphate which are de-sensitisers to help mitigate these effects.

Do not hesitate to discuss any tooth or gum sensitivity you are experiencing with your dentist. They may recommend preventative measures or treatments such as toothpaste for sensitive teeth. It is also possible to adjust your whitening programme to lessen the sensitising effects of the products.

What results should I expect from my whitening treatment?

The results of home-whitening kits will vary, but you should notice an obvious difference in the shade of your teeth within 1-2 weeks. The Philips Zoom^® system can whiten your smile by up to eight shades. These results can last for up to a year, depending on your lifestyle, diet and dental hygiene routine.

One benefit of working with your dentist during any home-based whitening treatment is that they can monitor your results. They can also recommend further treatment until you are completely satisfied with the results.

Philips Zoom! ^® DayWhite or NiteWhite?

There are two Philips Zoom! ^® home-based whitening kits available and, in collaboration with your dentist, you will choose your kit according to your lifestyle and the current condition of your teeth.

The DayWhite^® kit is for those who find that they struggle to sleep with a tray in their mouth or who have had professional teeth whitening before. DayWhite^® is applied once a day for 1-2 hours.

NiteWhite^® users wear their kit overnight. NiteWhite^® is perfect for individuals who have never had professional teeth whitening before.

How does Enlighten^® Evolution Whitening work?

You will first need to schedule a consultation with your dentist. At this appointment, your dentist will check your oral health and discuss the results you are expecting from your teeth whitening treatment.

Enlighten^® whitening is a system of chemical bleaching that works by increasing the tooth’s permeability to oxygen. This breaks down the compounds that cause discolouration to appear on the teeth.

Enlighten^® Evolution is a combination of whitening treatments. The treatment plan comprises two weeks of whitening at home, followed by an in-chair follow-up treatment that will take around 40 minutes.

How do I use Enlighten^® Evolution Whitening?

Your dentist will take a mould of your teeth and send it to a specialist laboratory where a dental technician will manufacture your custom-made trays (much like a removable retainer). This will take approximately 2 weeks and in that time you will use a de-sensitising tooth serum twice a day. Once your trays are ready, your dentist will instruct you on how to use them with the tooth whitening gels. You will take this tray home with you, along with the Enlighten^® whitening gel.

At home, you will apply the gel to the tray and wear it overnight for two weeks. The kit contains 2 gels of different strengths, one for each week.  This will gradually change the shade of your teeth making them brighter and whiter

After two weeks, your dentist will administer an additional treatment with a stronger whitening gel during a 40-minute treatment at the practice. The difference in the colour of the teeth will be much more apparent after this appointment.

Is Enlighten^® Evolution Whitening the same as At-Home Teeth Whitening?

Enlighten^® Evolution Whitening is not entirely the same as at-home teeth whitening. It is a combination of at-home and in-chair treatments, consisting of two weeks of treatment at home followed by a single appointment with your dentist.

Because the final phase of the treatment involves the application of a much stronger bleaching agent, it must be administered by a dental professional to ensure the treatment is as safe as it is effective.

How effective is Enlighten^® Evolution Whitening at making my teeth white?

According to the manufacturers, Enlighten^® Evolution whitening treatment can lighten the teeth up to 16 shades. The results do vary from person to person, but the teeth are likely to be noticeably brighter after treatment.

Many people worry that undergoing teeth whitening treatments will result in an unnaturally white smile. At Platinum Dental Care, we believe that whitening to the brightest natural shade is more desirable than striving for an unnatural looking result.

This is one of the many reasons that we choose the Enlighten^® system, which brightens teeth to a natural shade.

How do I take care of my teeth after teeth whitening treatment?

The results of teeth whitening can last up to a year. However, your dentist will advise you on how you should top-up your teeth whitening to maintain the original result. In addition, there are several other steps you can take to keep your teeth white.

Always maintain good dental hygiene habits to keep your teeth healthy, including regular brushing, flossing and visits to the dentist. Limit your consumption of the food and drinks that are known to cause stains. If you currently smoke, this is a good time to try and kick the habit.