TEETH WHITENING CENTRAL COAST
In recent years, teeth whitening has become very popular among adults wanting to have sparkling brighter teeth, whether in preparation for a special occasion such as a wedding, or to simply enhance their natural smiles that have been discoloured by the consumption of certain food and drinks like red wine, coffee or tea, among others. In response to this demand, we have seen the proliferation of teeth whitening products in the market ranging from whitening toothpaste, teeth whitening strips, to beauty salons and shopping centre kiosks all offering teeth whitening services in the Central Coast region.
Though these may seem very appealing to consider, your dentist is still best qualified to assess your suitability for this procedure, and administer a professional teeth whitener available only through a licensed dental professional.
Our Teeth Whitening Services
In-Chair Teeth Whitening
This package includes:
Initial assessment (no check-up, clean or x-ray), shade analysis, in-chair teeth whitening, polish, impression and a customised teeth whitening take-home pack.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
This package includes:
Initial assessment (no check-up, clean or x-ray), shade analysis, impression and a customised teeth whitening take-home pack.
At New Leaf Dentists in Erina, we customise the treatment to your desired result in two ways: In-chair teeth whitening or a Take-home customised teeth whitening kit.
What is the difference between in-chair teeth whitening & a take-home whitening kit?
In-Chair Teeth Whitening - Using a higher concentration of whitening agents, this process typically takes less than 90 minutes and can immediately produce whitening of your teeth up to 10 shades. Kids, do not try this at home. As it’s applied and supervised by a dentist, your gums are protected from exposure to these agents as they otherwise could be damaged by the process.
Take-home Teeth Whitening Kit - This process involves us taking an impression of your teeth so that we can customise your teeth whitening trays for you. You are then provided with the teeth whitening gels with lower concentrations of the bleaching agents used in the in-chair procedure. The whitening is gradual and could take about two weeks to get to your desired shade.
Teeth Whitening Frequently Asked Questions
Are teeth whitening kiosks the same as dentists?
You might have seen some teeth whitening salons and kiosks in your local shopping centre. But it’s important to note that while they do offer teeth whitening treatments, it is not regulated, which could mean that the person who is providing your treatment might not be qualified to check for things that can affect your treatment, such as cavities. You also don’t know the strength of the chemicals they use, which at certain strengths, require a dental professional to administer. Without medical oversight, the risks for gum irritation, sensitivity and over bleaching go up. In addition, they do not know what kind of stain or discolouration they are dealing with, why it is that way if it requires dental therapy rather than bleaching, or what colour differences there are between your natural teeth and any veneers or crowns that you may have. It’s important to put your safety first, and the recommended person for the job is still your dentist or dental hygienist.
Are lasers and lights the most effective way to whiten your teeth? Do you use them at New Leaf Dentists?
Clinical studies have shown that using lights does not make any additional difference to the overall results of the procedure. The Council of European Dentists (CED) recently issued an advisory to the public that lights have no proven benefit and may result in many adverse effects.
Though visibly, it may appear that the teeth are whitened, in actual fact it is “whiter” because the teeth are dehydrated from the exposure to the laser or the light.
At our practice, we do not use lasers or lights in our whitening treatments. When it comes to teeth whitening, it is all about the chemistry and efficiency of the material being used. One of the products we use is Opalescence, a professional teeth whitening system that is only available through dental professionals. At 40 percent hydrogen peroxide, Opalescence Boost is the strongest chemically activated in-office product on the market and doesn’t require light. The product is mixed by your dentist just before application to ensure fresh chemistry and good results.
Can the results from chemically-activated teeth whiteners last longer than others?
We’ve established that using lights and lasers to whiten your teeth isn’t always the way to go. When it comes to long-lasting results, a chemically-activated teeth whitening treatment is recommended. These teeth whiteners are peroxide-based materials that actively break down stain molecules found on teeth without the need to use an external source like lights or lasers. Because you don’t use light or any external source to activate the material, teeth are kept hydrated during the procedure and provides patients with a realistic, stable and longer-lasting whiter shade.
However, there are a few factors that can make teeth lose their luster. Things like genetics, diet, age, some medications (like tetracycline), and certain habits (like smoking) may affect the length of your whitening results. Fortunately, touch-up treatments are quick and easy, helping you get that bright, white smile back.
Why should you see a dentist to whiten your teeth?
Apart from the fact that a dentist is the most qualified person to do this, there are a number of factors that can affect your teeth, especially considering the sensitive nature of teeth whitening. There are so many risks that teeth whitening procedures carry. Sensitivity, gum irritation or even nerve damage are some of the common side effects of teeth whitening procedures. Having it done by a professional dental health provider minimises those risks.