Teeth whitening is not just for movie stars or singers, it is now available for all to access at the Amery House dental practice and you don't have to be break the bank to get that superstar look!

Whitening your teeth is an ideal way to improve your looks and confidence in everyday life, for special occasions and for vital meetings. A whiter, brighter smile is beautiful - it can help you feel better about yourself and make a memorable impression.

Teeth can become discoloured over a period of time. Discolouration can be caused by several factors including ageing, smoking, consumption of staining foods and beverages, staining caused by medication and hereditary factors. Tooth whitening is a safe and effective method which lightens the discolouration of the enamel and the dentine so that you will achieve a whiter and brighter smile.

Whitening Consultation:

As part of the initial whitening consultation, your oral health is taken into account. Any gum disease or cavities must be treated before whitening begins, to ensure treatment is straightforward, and comfortable. The therapist may recommend a visit to the practice hygienist to remove any calculus. This will ensure that the bleeching gel comes into good contact with the teeth for effective, even treatment.

Your consultation will enable us to advise you on the most suitable treatment and the results that can be expected when whitening your teeth. The effectiveness and final result will vary for each individual. Teeth whitening in the majority of cases will deliver excellent results which are quite astounding and instant! However teeth whitening may not correct all types of discoloration. Furthermore, whitening may not enhance your smile if you have had bonding or tooth-coloured fillings placed in your front teeth. The whitener will not affect the colour of these materials, and they will stand out in your newly whitened smile. In these cases, you may want to investigate other options, such as porcelain veneers or dental bonding.

If you are a suitable candidate for tooth whitening, your therapist will take impressions of your teeth which are then used to produce upper and lower trays made of a soft vinyl rubber. The trays are tailored to fit the exact contours of your teeth and are specially moulded to fit into your mouth like a gum shield. This allows the home teeth whitening gel to closely contact your enamel to produce an all over, consistent, whiter smile. 

The Zoom! Whitening Procedure:

The therapist will make a record of the shade/colour (using a tooth coloured shade guide) of your teeth before the procedure to show you the difference achieved after the whitening.

* The first step in Zoom! whitening, is your mouth is prepared for the procedure with a cheek retractor  to comfortably keep your mouth open during the procedure. The gel contains a high concentration of peroxide, so the therapist will cover your lips and gums with rolls of cotton and a protective material which only leaves your teeth exposed.  Eye protection is also provided to prevent any damage to the eyes from the ultraviolet lamp.

* Your therapist will then apply the Zoom! whitening gel to your teeth. The gel is specifically designed to be used with the Zoom! ultraviolet lamp. The lamp activates the gel, helping to gently penetrate the enamel and break up stains and dis-colouration without changing the structure of the teeth.

* The gel is applied for three 15-minute sessions of light activation, for a total treatment time of 45 minutes. During this time you can relax, while the gel and light do their work.  

* The therapist will finally wash off the whitening gel and remove any gum protection before evaluating the final result. The results are usually quite dramatic and teeth typically become six to ten shades lighter.

A special material protects your gums	The whitening agent is applied

We'll provide you with a kit for whitening at home, which is supplied with custom trays and whitening gel. The gel used in the home kits have a lower concentration of peroxide than that used in the dental surgery. We'll also give you instructions for taking care of your new smile and for handling any post-whitening sensitivity.