Teeth Whitening Perth WA
Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains and discolouration from teeth and improving their colour through a bleaching process to make them look "whiter"!
At Cottesloe Dental, we use the ZOOM! Advance Power Teeth whitening procedure. We also provide at Home Teeth Whitening Kits.
What is ZOOM!?
ZOOM! In-office tooth whitening is a procedure designed to lighten the colour of the teeth using a combination of a hydrogen peroxide gel and a specially designed ultraviolet lamp. As hydrogen peroxide is broken down, oxygen enters the enamel and dentin bleaching coloured substances while the structure of the tooth is unchanged. ZOOM! Whitening treatments are not intended to lighten artificial teeth, crowns, veneers or porcelain, composite or other restorative materials. Darkly stained yellow or yellow-brown teeth frequently achieve better results than grey or bluish-grey teeth.
What does the procedure involve?
During the procedure which takes 60-90 minutes (1 visit), the whitening gel is applied to the teeth and the teeth are exposed to the light from the Zoom! Lamp for three (3), 15 minute applications. During the entire treatment, a plastic retractor is placed in the mouth to keep it open and the soft tissues of the mouth (ie, lips, gums, cheeks and tongue) are covered to ensure they are not exposed to either the gel or light. Lip balm (SPF rating of 30+) is also applied as needed and protective eyewear is supplied. Prior to ZOOM! Treatment, all cavities and leaking fillings need to be filled or restored.
In addition, patients with toothbrush abrasion or erosion lesions will need these areas covered with a dental dam prior to procedure.
Custom- made take home trays are supplied to patients. These may be used to improve the initial results and intermittent use will maintain the desired tooth shade.
Post-Procedure Care
For the first few days after ZOOM! Treatment the tooth enamel acts like a sponge. To ensure that your whitening results last as long as possible it is essential to avoid food and beverages with the potential to re-stain the teeth. These include but are not limited to; beverages such as tea, coffee, red wine and coke as well as foods such as berries, curries and beetroot. Smoking will also stain tooth surfaces.
During this time, use the whitening gel and whitening toothpaste as instructed. Relapse after treatment is natural and should be very gradual but it can be accelerated by exposing the teeth to various staining agents.
Is whitening safe?
Yes. Extensive research and clinical studies indicate that whitening teeth under the supervision of a dentist is safe. In fact, many dentists consider whitening the safest cosmetic dental procedure available. ZOOM! Treatment is not recommended for children under 13 years of age, pregnant or lactating women, light sensitive individuals, patients receiving PUVA (Psoralen +UVA radiation) or other photochemotherapeutic drugs or treatment, as well patients with melanoma, Diabetes or heart conditions. The ZOOM! Lamp emits ultraviolet radiation (UVA) and patients taking any drugs that increase photosensitivity should consult with their physician before undergoing ZOOM! Treatment.
Complications of Treatment
Tooth sensitivity / pain during 24 - 48 hours following treatment. This is usually minor and of short duration. Treat with Ibuprofen and desensitizing agents as directed by your Dentist. If sensitivity persists, contact your Dentist. Also in some cases, incidence of gum, lip or cheek inflammation and/or dry chapped lips may occur. Rarely root resorption may occur. The incidence of this is higher in teeth that have been root canal treated.
Also, in a limited number of patients, allergy may be a problem. Treatment will be suspended in the event of an allergic reaction.
Teeth with multiple colorations, bands, splotches or spots due to tetracycline use or flourosis do not whiten as well and may need multiple treatments or may not whiten at all.
Darkly stained yellow or yellow-brown teeth frequently achieve better results that grey or bluish-grey teeth.
For further information on Teeth Whitening please contact us.
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Before
After- This treatment included a porcelain veneer combined with teeth whitening.
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- Example of the results achievable with home whitening procedure.
