East Midlands Cosmetic Dental Centre

£150 Tooth Whitening:

Who is this method suitable for?
Adults over the age of 16.
People who have generally good oral health.
People who have had an examination in the last 2 years.
Those who want to whiten the teeth that show when they smile.

It is NOT suitable for…
People with white fillings, crowns or veneers at the front of their mouth. (These surfaces do not whiten with whitening solutions.)
Those who are undergoing dental treatment at the time of proposed whitening.
People suffering with significant gum recession or gum disease.
Those wanting a "Hollywood Smile" (this is achieved with veneers, not tooth whitening.)

How does it work?
Tooth whitening works by removing stains from the porous part of your teeth, taking them to a healthy, clean, natural colour. Tooth whitening is generally very effective and will lighten the colour of your teeth significantly, but the end result does vary from person to person. It also depends upon the amount of coloured food (curry, berries), coloured drinks (caffeine, red wine) consumed and tobacco products smoked during and immediately after the treatment.

How do we do it?
Our tooth whitening promotion comprises the making of a whitening tray and a quantity of whitening solution for you to use at home. At your appointment, we would take an impression of your teeth to produce a transparent gum shield that you then use at home to hold the whitening solution against your teeth whilst you sleep. Results are expected in 2-6 weeks.
This procedure costs £150. Although it achieves similar results to our other home whitening service, the materials used in this treatment are bulk purchased at a very competitive price. This saving is passed on to you. We make your whitening tray instantly, not having to send it to a laboratory. Research shows that this cost effective combination of tray and whitening solution is safe and effective but can be a little uncomfortable and tricky to use. The other key difference between the two home treatments is that the £150 treatment is aimed at those people who feel it necessary only to whiten those teeth most prominently on show (the 12 upper front teeth), whilst the £404 home whitening treatment whitens all of the top and bottom teeth.

What other ways are there of whitening teeth?
We offer 3 methods of tooth whitening to suit your lifestyle and needs. The 2 home whitening procedures and an in-surgery whitening which takes just over an hour and produces results immediately. This costs £630. The outcome is similar and the choice is dependent on your life style and timescale. Some people don't want to wait a few weeks for results and would therefore prefer the in-surgery treatment while others like to use the home kits so they can top up their whitening for one evening every few months. (Further whitening solution may be purchased from the practice.)

How long does it last?
We usually say about 5 years, but that depends on the amount of coloured food, coloured drinks and tobacco products smoked subsequent to the whitening treatment.

What is the advantage of dental surgery-produced whitening treatments over those bought at the chemist?
Kits purchased at the chemist normally use the same material but in such a weak form that it does not work effectively. Whitening solutions available over the counter can be more acidic than those available at the dentists and for this reason are bad for your tooth enamel. The strongest solution available from the dentist is used under the direct supervision of the dentist himself (the in-surgery whitening treatment). The solutions used in the home-whitening treatments purchased from the dentist, though perfectly safe for use in the home, are significantly stronger than those you can buy over the counter and should therefore be used according to the dentist's instructions (just like medicines you take on the advice of a doctor.)

How do I proceed with the treatment?
Contact the practice to book a 40-minute appointment. Your payment will be taken at the time of booking.
On arrival, you will be asked to complete a medical and dental questionnaire and will be given instructions and a 'Frequently Asked Questions' sheet.
You will be seen by a dentist who will give you an examination to assess if this procedure is right for you. If it is appropriate to proceed, an impression will be taken of your teeth and a whiting tray made.

Following the fitting of the whitening tray, you will be shown how to use the tray and solution. If you have any further queries, they will be addressed before you leave.

East Midlands Cosmetic Dental Centre of Nottingham