How do I know if I'm a good candidate for whitening?
Everyone deserves, and is therefore a good candidate for, a beautiful white smile!
We have many possible techniques to help get you there: whitening, veneers, bonding, crowns or perhaps even a combination of these options. Speak to a registered dentist about the best way forward for you.
What's the difference between professional whitening and over-the-counter whitening?
The key ingredient required to whiten teeth, regardless of whether the product is professional or over-the-counter, is peroxide. The higher the peroxide concentration, the likelier the success of whitening. Professional whitening can be subdivided into 2 further categories: in-clinic and at-home. In-clinic whitening gels have the highest peroxide concentration and over-the-counter whitening products have the lowest peroxide concentration amongst the three available options.
Due to regulations set by the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore (HSA), over-the-counter whitening products in Singapore can't exceed a 0.1% peroxide concentration. The at-most 0.1% peroxide concentration of over-the-counter whitening products is less than a tenth of the peroxide concentration of prescribed at-home whitening gels, and less than a hundredth of the peroxide concentration of in-clinic whitening gels. Consequently, when it comes to results, in-clinic whitening under the supervision of a registered dentist tends to produce the best outcomes.
In terms of experiences, a professional in-clinic whitening session is relatively quick, comfortable and enjoyable. We dim the lights, provide you with a blanket and have calming music in the background during treatment, allowing you to relax as we whiten your teeth. In contrast, with prescribed at-home whitening and over-the-counter whitening products, several rounds of application are required, necessitating discipline, a time commitment and comparatively more effort.
Is professional in-clinic teeth whitening actually safe?
Absolutely! Professional in-clinic teeth whitening with a responsible dentist is perfectly safe!
What's the fastest but safest way to whiten teeth before an event?
Professionally, at a dental clinic.
In-clinic whitening is fast - in a single sitting of around 60 minutes, whitening is completed. It's safe - a registered dentist carries out and supervises the treatment from start to finish. And perhaps most importantly, it's very effective - professional whitening gels are able to take your tooth up to 6-10 shades whiter.
How is professional in-clinic teeth whitening carried out from start to finish?
A pre-whitening shade check (using the dental equivalent of shade cards used for wall paints) will be completed and a "before" photo of your smile will be taken. These will enable us to better visualize the success of the treatment by means of comparisons later on.
A few rubber, plastic and gel-based protective barriers to isolate your gums, lips, tongue and cheeks (soft tissues) from the whitening gel will be placed. The gel is designed exclusively for application on teeth, and is safe for them as such. However, if the gel touches your soft tissues (gums, lips, tongue and/or cheeks), uncomfortable ulcers may develop.
Following the placement of the protective barriers, your teeth and mouth are thoroughly dried using a combination of air spray and vacuum-like suction devices. This prevents the dilution of the gel with water, saliva, and/or moisture, therefore keeping it strong (think about it in terms of a flavoured cordial being diluted with water; the more water, the weaker the taste; similarly, the gel should be left "neat" to maximize its effect).
The gel is carefully placed on each individual tooth that is to be whitened. Once the gel has been applied, it's time to rest and relax. The gel and the teeth will work together to create magic while you engage in a nap, meditation, music or podcast.
In technical speak, during this time, the whitening gel exerts its effect by penetrating through the surface of the natural tooth, into the region of the tooth where the chemical compounds responsible for the discoloration lie. It is able to interact with these compounds, and break them down. The breakdown of these compounds result in the whitening of the teeth.
After we've given it sufficient time, the gel is carefully removed, followed by the protective barriers. We'll take a look in the mirror, and together, we'll then marvel at the newfound beauty of your teeth.
Lastly, we'll have another look at the shade guide to see where your teeth are now as compared to before and we'll take an "after" photo of your lovely smile to finish the session.
Does whitening work on fillings, veneers or crowns?
Whitening treatment only works on natural teeth. Whitening treatment can still be carried out on fillings, veneers or crowns, but no results will be observed in these cases. If you're unhappy with the colour of your existing fillings, veneers or crowns, the likely recommendation would be to remove and replace them. A definitive recommendation can only be made on a case-by-case basis during a consultation with a dentist.
How white is "too white"?
In my view, the ideal shade is one that strikes the perfect balance between "natural" and "perfect", allowing for a visual appearance that subtly highlights a beautiful smile without screaming of a visit to a cosmetic dentist.
However, for many, the philosophy is "the whiter the better". This is a philosophy I respect deeply. At the end of the day, it's all about what shade of white you're happy with.
If you find that following professional whitening, you aspire to still go whiter, we could then discuss either making customized at-home whitening trays or prostheses, i.e. veneers. At-home whitening can be used as a supplement to in-clinic whitening to potentially improve results achieved in the clinic. Veneers, meanwhile, can take you beyond the shades of white achievable by professional whitening to whitening nirvana.
How are customized trays for at-home whitening designed?
Our customized trays are designed to provide an optimum fit for your oral architecture. The top of the tray fits snugly just below your gum line. It perfectly traces the outline of your teeth. This ensures that the entire surface of your teeth is able to receive the whitening gel while simultaneously protecting your gums from the gel. As mentioned earlier, any contact between your gums and the gel results in potentially uncomfortable ulcers developing. Further, we have designed our trays to include "reservoirs", which allow for more gel to be placed in the tray. Through both of these design features, we are able to make the experience at home safer, less worrisome and more effective.
How do dentists prevent sensitivity during professional in-clinic whitening?
I find that very careful consideration of the amount of time the whitening gel is placed on the teeth and reminding patients to drink plenty of water following treatment are incredibly successful strategies to prevent sensitivity during and after professional whitening treatments.
Why do my teeth feel "zingy" after professional in-clinic whitening and how long does it last?
A "zingy" feeling sometimes occurs as a side-effect of whitening treatment. As we discussed earlier, the whitening gel enters the tooth in order to whiten it. We have control of the gel while it's on the outer surface of the tooth. However, once it's in the tooth, there's not much we can do. Sometimes, the gel irritates the nerve that lies peacefully within the tooth. This translates to a "zingy" feeling.
The sensitivity from whitening treatment tends to be temporary, lasting not more than a few days. It can be mediated through one or a combination of several methods from the following:
- Drinking plenty of water
- Use of an anti-sensitivity toothpaste, ie sensodyne
- Application of tooth mousse
- Taking headache medication of choice, ie panadol
How long do professional in-clinic teeth whitening results usually last?
6-12 months.
What should I do after whitening to keep my teeth bright?
For the first 2 days after whitening, opt for a "white diet" featuring items like pasta bechamel, steamed chicken rice, and/or vanilla yogurts.
Importantly, also continue to look after your teeth with regular brushing, flossing and routine 6 monthly dental visits after the whitening treatment to assist in maintaining results.
If you're a smoker, it would be best to give cigarettes a break for a couple of days as part of your post-whitening aftercare plan.
Interested in This Treatment?
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Azhar Tyebally to discuss your options.
Call +65 6438 3811