Full mouth tooth whitening for only €350 including visits, photos, trays, gel and review appointment.
Slideshow of images of before and after whitening carried out by Tom Rodgers at Blackrock Dental Surgery
From 31st October 2012 it is illegal for consumers to be provided with tooth whitening products containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide by anyone other than a dentist. Dentists can provide products containing concentrations of up to 6% hydrogen peroxide or 17% carbamide peroxide. Tooth whitening is also now restricted to those over 18 years of age but there are certain exceptions where under 18’s can have tooth whitening treatments done.
There are various techniques for tooth whitening. By far the most successful, safe and predictable method is that using 10% Carbamide peroxide in custom made bleaching trays worn at night. (10% Carbamide Peroxide is the equivalent of 3.5% Hydrogen Peroxide.) This technique was pioneered by Dr. Van B Haywood since 1988.www.vanhaywood.com Tooth whitening involves the following visits:
- Consultation and assessment.
- Impressions for bleaching trays.
- Fitting of bleaching trays and pre bleaching shade recording with photographs.
- Review of bleaching and recording new shade with clinical photographs.
Consultation and assessment
At this visit a full examination is carried out of your teeth and gums to ensure that your teeth are suitable for whitening. If there are cavities, defective fillings or gum disease, these should be treated first. It is important to note the presence of any tooth coloured fillings, crowns or veneers on teeth at the front of the mouth as these will not whiten along with the teeth. The presence of any of these does not mean that tooth whitening cannot be carried out. However, these restorations may need to be replaced so that they match the whiter colour of the teeth after the whitening treatment has been carried out. Once the dentist has finished the examination, a full discussion of the case and suitability for whitening and any other treatment required can be discussed.
Impressions for bleaching trays.
Impressions are taken of the upper and lower teeth. These are sent to the lab, where models of the teeth are made, on which bleaching trays are fabricated.
Fitting of bleaching trays
About a week later the bleaching trays are fitted and the patient given the bleaching gel. The dentist shows the patient how to place the gel in the trays and fit them in the mouth. Clinical photographs are taken at this appointment to record the shade of the teeth before whitening. The patient will then perform the tooth whitening procedure nightly for about 2-3 weeks. The bleaching trays are quite light and comfortable to wear.
Review of bleaching
After about four weeks the dentist will review the teeth to ensure that the whitening treatment has been successful and record the new colour with clinical photographs. At this visit any fillings, crowns or veneers will be assessed as to whether they need replaced and an appointment arranged to have these done if necessary.
Some people do experience some sensitivity of the teeth during the bleaching process but this will resolve once the bleaching has finished. If the sensitivity is particularly bad, there are different gels that can be used in the bleaching trays to reduce this. Desensitizing toothpastes such as sensodyne are also effective in reducing sensitivity and it may be of benefit to be using such a toothpaste for a few weeks prior to bleaching.
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INSIDE AND OUT BLEACHING TECHNIQUE
Sometimes a single tooth becomes darkened or discoloured. This is usually because the tooth has had a root filling or the tooth has become non-vital(dead). In the case of a non-vital tooth a root canal treatment must be done first. These teeth can be bleached very effectively by the inside and out bleaching technique. This requires the following visits (presuming an adequate root canal filling is already in place)
- Examination and assessment.
- Impression for bleaching tray.
- Removal of filling from back of tooth and fit of bleaching tray with bleaching gel.
- Review of bleaching and placement of temporary dressing in back of tooth.
- Review and placement of permanent filling in tooth.
Examination and assessment
This will require a xray to assess the tooth and root canal filling and clinical pictures to assess the colour of the tooth followed by a discussion of the proposed treatment with the patient.
Impression for bleaching tray
An impression is taken of the tooth arch containing the discoloured tooth. This is then sent to the laboratory, where the bleaching tray is fabricated.
Removal of filling from back of tooth and fit of bleaching tray with bleaching gel
The filling is removed from the back of the discoloured tooth. This ‘access cavity’ is thoroughly cleaned and the root filling sealed off. The patient is then shown how to place the bleaching gel inside this access cavity and then fit the bleaching tray in place so that the gel is in contact with both inside the tooth and the outer surface. This gel should then be removed and the technique repeated every 2-3 hours for 2-3 days or until the tooth colour matches the other teeth.
Review of bleaching and placement of temporary dressing in back of tooth
After the 2-3 days the dentist reviews the tooth to ensure the bleaching is satisfactory and fills the access cavity with a temporary filling.
Review and placement of permanent filling in tooth
A few weeks later the tooth is reviewed again to ensure the colour is stable and the permanent filling can then be placed in the access cavity and clinical photographs taken of the end result.
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