Teeth whitening

Teeth whitening is a dental procedure that lightens the natural colour of the teeth using a bleaching gel, carried out after a clinical examination. It suits a patient who would like their teeth lighter and has no underlying problem that needs treating first. Dr Annabel Davies provides teeth whitening at BRS Dental on Strand Street, in Cape Town City Centre.

What it involves

Teeth whitening uses a gel containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to lighten the natural colour of the teeth, without removing any of the tooth surface. In South Africa, this procedure may only be carried out by a dentist, dental therapist or oral hygienist, after an examination, and not by a beautician or in a salon. An examination beforehand checks that whitening is suitable, since existing fillings, crowns or veneers do not change colour, which can leave an uneven result if this is not planned for in advance. Teeth that are discoloured because of an injury, a medicine taken in the past, or a previous root canal treatment can respond differently to whitening, so the cause of the discolouration is part of what the examination looks at.

Is it suitable for everyone

Whitening does not work equally well for everyone. Some staining lightens readily, while other staining responds only a little or not at all, so an examination helps set a realistic expectation before starting. Sensitive teeth or gums, and certain existing dental work, can also affect whether whitening is the right choice, or whether another option should be considered instead.

How it is done

There are two main approaches. In-chair, or in-surgery, whitening is carried out in the practice, usually over one appointment lasting thirty minutes to an hour, sometimes followed by a period of home whitening to complete the result. Take-home whitening starts with a mould of the teeth, from which a custom-fitted tray is made, and the whitening gel is then worn in the tray at home for a set period, following the dentist’s instructions.

How long it takes

In-chair whitening is usually completed within a single appointment, sometimes continued at home afterward. Take-home whitening takes place over a longer period, typically some days to a few weeks, since the patient carries out part of the treatment themselves.

Aftercare

Some temporary sensitivity to hot or cold is common after whitening, and generally settles within a few days. Avoiding strongly coloured food and drink, such as red wine, coffee and tea, for a short period afterward can help the result last longer. How long whitening lasts varies between patients and depends on diet and habits such as smoking.

Getting in touch

Fees for teeth whitening are discussed with reception. The panel on this page shows how to get in touch to arrange an examination.