TEETH WHITENING. WHAT IS THE PROCESS? ARE THEY ALL THE SAME?
You might have a big event coming up. Or your teeth are staining over time. You’ve found yourself touching up your social media photos before posting. Maybe you just want to clear up some of the yellowing from your daily coffee or wine. With the various teeth whitening options available now, being embarrassed of your smile is optional.
Just like hair colour, the tint of our teeth differs from person to person, therefore treating any type of discolouration is different for everyone. Teeth whitening is not suitable for everyone, before beginning any teeth whitening procedures consult with your local dentist. They can identify the cause of your discolouration, advise any pre-existing oral health conditions (decay, gum disease etc.) that may need to be treated and the best treatment for you based on your individual needs.
In the age of Instagram and influencers, there is now an extremely wide range of dental whitening, over-the-counter and online whitening agents that can be used. So the question is, which one works best? And more importantly, which one suits you best?
IN-CHAIR WHITENING
$675 + A Bonus Take-Home Teeth Whitening Kit!
In-chair whitening is the fastest and most effective whitening option. Performed in your local dental practice by a dental professional you can walk in with yellow teeth and walk out with a brighter smile in as little as an hour (or the time it takes to finish a coffee!).
When you go for your in-chair teeth whitening appointment your clinician will apply a protective gel to your gums followed by the application of a whitening gel to your teeth. How long it lasts will depend on your lifestyle but can keep your smile nice and bright for a few years.
TAKE-HOME WHITENING KITS
$400, CUSTOM MANUFACTURED
Custom manufactured take-home whitening kits are convenient and easy to use allowing you to apply a whitening agent, then sit back and relax while the whitening process begins.
There’s no funky blue light, but don’t let looks deceive you as these snug fitting impression trays and professional grade whitening gels are only available from a dental professional. These take home options provide results that over-the-counter supermarket options simply cannot.
OVER-THE-COUNTER OPTIONS
Whitening toothpastes, strips, mouthwash and chewing-gums are easily accessible at your local supermarket or chemist and, in recent years, many alternatives are popping up on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook.
Whilst some are effective and can result in visibly whiter teeth, caution should be taken when considering some over-the-counter products especially if you are considering use for a long period of time.
Be aware that many white smiles seen on celebrities and your favourite influencers may not be real teeth and could in fact be ‘veneers’ on the surface of the teeth. Don’t be fooled by what you see, do your research first!
Your Questions Answered
Teeth whitening is a non-invasive treatment and is completely safe when performed correctly. Teeth sensitivity is a possible side effect of whitening and some patients do experience this after treatments. The greater the concentration of gel, the greater the risk of tooth sensitivity. Dentists are trained to minimise the risk of such tooth sensitivity despite using higher concentrations of whitening gels to achieve better results than over-the-counter products.
You’ve finished your whitening treatment, your teeth are a nice, bright white, but how long will it last? Long term results are dependent on the upkeep and your lifestyle behaviours such as daily care and stain-causing habits including food, drinks or smoking. Regular visits to your dentist will allow them to remove any surface stains and prolong your whitening treatments.
Many fads come and go, but only your dentist has been trained in providing care to you, your family and friends. Your dentist generally makes a decision which is best for you based on clinical research, and experience so they can guide you toward that nice bright smile you’re looking for.
LET US BRIGHTEN YOUR SMILE! BOOK A TEETH WHITENING CONSULTATION TODAY.
Meet Dr Anthony O'Rourke
Dr Anthony O’Rourke, our Lead Clinician, graduated from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom in 2005 with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery.
?Following his studies, Dr O’Rourke took a position in the National Health Scheme’s Vocational Training Scheme, which involved working in both emergency clinics and a family orientated practice. In 2006 he began work at a mixed private practice in Cheshire, UK.
In 2014, Anthony moved to Melbourne to work in one of Australia’s largest private dental practices. Whilst working here, he focused his work on digital dentistry to provide fully comprehensive care and the use of CEREC in everyday dentistry.
?Anthony also co-founded, the Clinical advisory board, the Clinical governance committee, the new grad mentoring scheme, and jointly ran the continued professional development programme for over 80 clinicians and specialists.
Anthony is committed to training and mentoring the next generation of Dentists to excel, both personally and professionally.
?Dr O’Rourke joined Maven Dental Collins Street (previously called Nova Dental) in July 2020.
Anthony brings a wealth of experience to lead the already highly skilled team at Maven Dental Collins Street.?He thoroughly enjoys being able to offer a fully comprehensive experience to achieve the best possible outcomes available for each of his patients.
Anthony’s special areas of interest and expertise are in the fields of cosmetic dentistry, implant prosthodontics, splint therapy for TMJ and Sleep Apnoea, and the application of digital dentistry and AI into everyday oral health. He is a mentor and opinion leader in these fields.
?Anthony also works closely with a broad range of other dental specialists and team members to ensure each of the patients at Maven Dental Collins Street receive the best clinical care and service available.
Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of technology in healthcare and continually pursues postgraduate education and has attended multiple further education courses in Australia, Europe and the USA, and is a member of multiple professional organisations across the globe.
Dr O’Rourke completed the Pankey Institute continuum at their Advanced Dental Education Centre in Miami.