Teeth whitening

Whitening uses hydrogen peroxide, or carbamide peroxide which breaks down into it, to oxidise the coloured compounds inside enamel and dentine. It is a chemical change to the stain rather than a coating or an abrasive, and nothing is removed from the tooth. That makes it the least destructive way to change how teeth look, and for a considerable number of people it is the only thing they actually needed.

• Teeth have darkened gradually with age
• Staining from coffee, tea, red wine or smoking
• You are considering veneers or crowns purely because of colour
• Before restorative work, so new crowns or veneers can be matched to the lighter shade
• A single tooth has darkened after root canal treatment — this needs a different technique

• Professional cleaning alone, where the discolouration is surface staining rather than intrinsic
• Composite bonding, where shape as well as colour is a concern
• Veneers or crowns, where the appearance sought cannot be reached by lightening natural teeth
• Doing nothing, which remains a legitimate option and the only one that is free

• An examination to rule out decay, leaking fillings and gum disease
• X-rays, depending on when you last had them
• The likely cause of the discolouration, which determines whether whitening will work at all
• A record of your current shade
• Which visible teeth already have crowns, veneers or white fillings
• Whether you already have sensitivity
• Whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding

1. 1

   Assessment

   Examination and shade recording. Whitening over untreated decay or active gum disease is treating the wrong thing.

   Carried out by: Partner clinic

2. 2

   Any preparatory treatment

   Cleaning, and treatment of any decay or gum problems, before whitening begins.

   Carried out by: Partner clinic

3. 3

   In-surgery whitening, take-home trays, or both

   A higher-concentration gel applied under isolation, or custom trays and a lower-concentration gel used over one to two weeks. Many plans combine the two.

   Carried out by: Partner clinic

4. 4

   Settling period

   Teeth rebound slightly from the immediately-post-treatment shade. Matching restorations to that peak produces work that looks too light within a fortnight.

   Carried out by: You

5. 5

   Maintenance

   The result is not permanent. Trays kept for occasional top-ups are worth more than they sound.

   Carried out by: You

In-surgery whitening is often a single appointment. Take-home trays need an appointment to make them and then one to two weeks of use at home. Whitening alone is rarely a reason to travel; it is usually discussed alongside other treatment.

• The cause of the discolouration — tetracycline staining and fluorosis respond poorly or not at all
• Whether visible teeth already carry crowns, veneers or white fillings, which do not whiten
• Existing sensitivity
• Gum health
• Age — whitening is not generally carried out on children
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding, where it is usually deferred

• In-surgery, take-home, or a combination
• Whether custom trays are made and kept
• How many sessions are planned
• Whether it is bundled into a larger treatment package, in which case ask when it happens

We do not publish price ranges for this treatment. Any figure we could give before a clinic has approved it would be a guess presented as guidance. Your final price comes from the partner clinic in writing, after a dentist has reviewed your case.

• Sensitivity to cold, common during and shortly after treatment and usually settling within days
• Gum irritation where gel contacts soft tissue
• Uneven results, particularly where teeth were unevenly stained to begin with
• Existing crowns, veneers and white fillings will not change colour and may end up visibly mismatched
• The result is not permanent and relapses gradually
• Over-use can be harmful; more is not better
• It cannot make teeth whiter than their natural maximum

• What is causing my discolouration, and will whitening actually address it?
• What concentration is used, and is a dentist supervising it?
• Do I have existing fillings or crowns on show that will not whiten?
• If I am also having restorations, is the whitening scheduled before them?
• How long should I leave it between whitening and shade-matching?
• How long is the result likely to last, and can I keep the trays?

These are worth asking of any clinic, including ours. A clinic that answers them clearly and in writing is telling you something useful.

This treatment would be carried out by a licensed dentist at the partner clinic you choose, working in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Dental Anchor does not provide treatment and does not employ dentists.

• Composite bonding
• Veneers

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