We welcome private patients, PRSI and Medical Card Holders.
We welcome private patients, PRSI and Medical Card Holders.
Teeth Whitening is by far the most popular cosmetic dental procedure. It is a safe, simple and non-invasive way to lighten the appearance of natural teeth.
Ageing, smoking, and consuming particular foods & drinks can all cause teeth to discolour.
Although Teeth Whitening is “safe”, your dentist should carry out a full examination of your mouth prior to any whitening treatment. They will check your teeth for decay or fillings, as well as assessing the health of your gums and other soft tissues including your tongue, cheeks, lips and palate. The current shade of your teeth will also be recorded.
Following this examination, your dentist will discuss the various treatment options available to you and make a recommendation depending on your requirements, time restraints and budget.
Your dentist will prescribe a high-quality whitening gel that contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, which break down into oxygen and water. The oxygen will pass through the enamel into the dentine (the structure beneath the enamel), where it cleanses out any impurities that cause the tooth to appear discoloured. This cleansing action results in a “lighter” appearance.
The Procedure
Impressions (moulds) are taken of your teeth and sent to a dental lab to make custom-fitted bleaching trays. A small amount of whitening gel is applied to the tray, and then the trays are placed onto your teeth for a specific length of time.
Hydrogen peroxide gel is used during the day for 30-45 minutes, whereas Carbamide peroxide gel is usually used overnight.
Whichever method you choose, treatment usually takes 2-3 weeks, but can take several months depending on the colour/shade of the teeth at the beginning of treatment, and the desired final colour/shade.
Once completed, the teeth should remain the same colour/shade for 12-18 months, but can be refreshed with a top-up using the original bleaching trays.
At Quali-Teeth Dental Care, one of the systems we use is the world renowned Enlighten Whitening System. It is the only whitening system that guarantees VITA B1 shade (the brightest white).
