WHICH TEETH WHITENING TREATMENT IS BEST FOR ME?

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1 WHICH TEETH WHITENING TREATMENT IS BEST FOR ME? TEETH WHITENING IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR DENTAL TREATMENTS AND WITH EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCTS, PATIENTS CAN ATTAIN A SPARKLING AND SEVERAL SHADES BRIGHTER SMILE.

2 CONTENTS YOUR TEETH WHITENING OPTIONS 3 IS IN-CHAIR WHITENING BETTER THAN AT-HOME WHITENING? 4 TEETH WHITENING COMPARISON CHART 5 TEETH WHITENING OPTIONS FROM MULLUMBIMBY DENTAL CENTRE 6 DECIDING WHICH TREATMENT IS BEST FOR YOU 9 CONTACT US TODAY 10

3 YOUR TEETH WHITENING OPTIONS Most people want to improve their smile. Teeth whitening is one of the simplest cost effective ways to do that but it s important to understand what is causing the discolouration in the first place as that determines which treatment will give the best result. Discolouration can easily be split into two distinct types. 1. Extrinsic stain which is caused by a discolouration on the surface of the tooth; the best examples are stains from tobacco, red wine & coffee. 2. Intrinsic stains where the whole tooth is inherently dark. This can be either a simple age change, a natural variation in tooth colour or it may be caused by medication that was taken while the tooth was developing. Individual tooth discolouration may be due to a non-vital (dead) tooth or a discoloured restoration. Treatments available are: In surgery tooth whitening Take home kits with professionally made trays Over the counter treatments such as tooth whitening toothpastes and gels. 3

4 IS IN-CHAIR WHITENING BETTER THAN AT-HOME WHITENING? What many patients don t realise is the need to assess the cause of your discolouration. Depending on the nature of your stains, teeth whitening may not be successful or the best solution for you. Teeth whitening products will not change the colour of existing restorations such as crowns or white fillings. These restorations have been specifically made to match the colour of your teeth and if you whiten the other teeth the result may be very poor aesthetically and require extensive and often expensive treatment to rectify. This is why it is important to visit a dentist before purchasing any general whitening treatments. Buying a teeth whitening product from a chemist, supermarket or online means you don t get that professional medical opinion on whether teeth whitening is the appropriate treatment for you or not. Buying a teeth whitening product from someone other than a dentist means you are buying a product from someone who is unqualified to assess your individual situation and provide appropriate advice. When it comes to certified teeth whitening products from your dentist, you usually have a few different options, the most common ones being in-chair whitening and take-home options. But how do you know what the differences are, and which treatment is best for you? We have created a comparison chart outlining the different benefits so that you can choose the best treatment for you. 4

5 TEETH WHITENING COMPARISON CHART In-chair whitening Take-home kit How do the results compare? The Best: predictable, effective and quick results. Very good still effective but takes much longer to achieve the desired result How long will it take? Usually completed in a one-hour appointment. Five or six 20-minute at-home applications (maximum of one per day). How long does it last? Does it give a natural appearance? If post-treatment instructions are followed, results can last for up to two years. Yes both methods result in a natural looking whiter smile If post-treatment instructions are followed, results can last for up to two years. Yes, both methods result in a natural looking whiter smile. What process does the system use? Does the system whiten stained teeth eg. anti-biotic brown tetracycline staining? 35% Hydrogen peroxide activated gel applied after gum protection has been placed by the dentist. Yes. in-chair whiteningtargets and penetrates even the most resistant stain molecules within the tooth s enamel. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gels; no gum protection is required as the gels are much weaker and will not burn the tissue. At-home teeth whitening may not penetrate blemishes as effectively as in-chair bleaching procedures. How does the system create the whitening effect? Photodynamic light which is selectively absorbed by the gel. The active ingredients of the gel break down the discoloured molecules. Is the whitening gel acidic or alkaline? Alkaline. Acidic gel comes with a risk of damaging gums and tooth roots. Slightly acidic. Does it dehydrate the teeth during the whitening process? Can it treat dark teeth that have had a root filled? No. There is no dehydration of the teeth. If there is only one dark tooth there are other more suitable treatments that your dentist can discuss with you There is potential for dehydration with incorrect application. If there is only one dark tooth there are other more suitable treatments that your dentist can discuss with you What are the costs involved and will I get a health fund rebate? Total cost is $600. Most health funds do not pay towards tooth whitening unless you have absolute top cover. Item code is 118 per tooth ($600 divided by the number of teeth treated). $130 per arch so $260 for both upper and lower arch. Item code is 119 per arch. Some funds pay towards this but you will need to check with your individual fund.

6 TEETH WHITENING OPTIONS FROM MULLUMBIMBY DENTAL CENTRE During your initial appointment, we will carefully assess the current condition of your oral health while assessing your suitability for whitening. The following factors are pivotal to the success of your treatment: Gum health Existing restorations Presence of disease and decay Tooth sensitivity and thickness of the enamel The above factors will also influence which treatment option will work best for you, the take-home kit or the in-chair procedure. It is important to realise that the gel needs to be in direct contact with the enamel to be effective so a professional clean and polish is often required before commencing any tooth whitening procedure to achieve optimal results. 6

7 Take-home teeth whitening kit including custom made trays Our take-home teeth whitening kits let you perform the treatment in the comfort of your own home and at your own convenience. We will take impressions of your teeth so that we can fabricate custom-made trays for you. You then use these trays to apply our professional teeth whitening solution to the teeth for 20 minutes per day. This method is much more gradual than the in-chair whitening, but it will achieve a similar result though this time frame will vary depending on the starting shade of the teeth and patients need to have realistic expectations but the dentist will discuss the expected results at the initial consultation. 7

8 In-chair teeth whitening in our practice Improve the colour of your smile while you relax in the dental chair. This is a one-hour professional teeth whitening treatment that is performed by one of our dental professionals in the comfort of our modern dental practice. It is a fast, simple and often remarkably effective treatment that helps to whiten your teeth dramatically. It is completely harmless to tooth enamel, composites, and all other dental work. Unlike the take-home kit, our dentists perform every aspect of the process which means no fuss for you. The process is quick and follows these steps: Your gums soft tissues are protected with an isolation barrier The dentist applies a series of teeth whitening gel to your teeth The applications work at minutes over a one-hour period while you can rest comfortably in the dental chair After roughly an hour, your treatment is complete, and you will have a much whiter smile. The in-chair whitening process is sometimes preferred by patients as it is a faster process and our dentists perform every aspect of the treatment in a one-hour appointment with immediate results. 8

9 DECIDING WHICH TREATMENT IS BEST FOR YOU Get it right with Mullumbimby Dental Centre The best way to discover if and which teeth whitening treatment is right for you is to arrange a consultation with one of our dental professionals. They will be able to assess the state of your teeth, identify any extreme sensitivity, determine enamel thickness and any presence of tooth decay and assess previous restorations which might make you unsuitable for this particular treatment but can discuss other more appropriate treatments with you. As one of the premier dental clinics in the Northern Rivers area, we offer a vast range of treatments at our contemporary facility. When it comes to practicing excellent dentistry, for us it isn t simply about the end result; it s about the process. The comfort of our patients is paramount, which is why we focus on dentistry that is as comfortable and pain-free as possible. We strive to perform even the simplest of procedures with the highest level of care, so that you can look forward to your visits with us. One last word of warning It is important to note that teeth whitening products should always be administered by a professional as they can assess your discolouration and prescribe you with the whitening treatment that suits you best. Legislation means that only dentists can issue the more powerful whitening products. These are not permitted to be sold over the counter or dispensed by beauty therapists. This means a more effective teeth whitening treatment and better results without endangering your smile. 9

10 CONTACT US TODAY Call our office on mullumdental.com.au 100 Stuart Street, Mullumbimby NSW 2482