Tooth Whitening
A brighter, whiter smile is on many patients wish list. Linda Greenwall has a special interest in tooth whitening, researching and treating patients with tooth discolorations for since 1991. Dr Greenwall has written several textbooks and teaches on the subject in the UK and internationally.
What Can be achieved?
There are many causes of tooth discolouration, yellowing teeth is often associated to aging, diet, some foods and drinks cause staining. More severe discolorations can be caused by mediations and illness. Dr Greenwall and her team have been successfully providing tooth whitening treatment for over 20 years, our programmes and protocols are based on extensive research carried out by Prof van Haywood, ensuring safe and effective treatment to achieve long lasting results.
Following an initial consultation, Dr Greenwall will diagnose the type and cause of discoloration and provide a treatment plan which will help you to achieve a brighter smile.
All whitening treatment is carried out using specially designed trays that are unique to you, they are made by our dental technician and fitted by appropriately trained members of our dental team. The tooth whitening gel is low strength carbamide peroxide, we only use products that have been extensively researched and safe for you to use at home following our instructions.
Yellowing enamel
This is the most common cause of discolouration and is often related to diet, specific foods and drinks, ex-smokers and as we get older the colour of our teeth changes. Yellowing enamel is fairly easy to whiten at home in about 4-6weeks. This type of treatment following the initial consultation can be carried out by a Dentist, Dental Hygienist or Dental Therapist.
Fluorosis
You might be aware or notice very white, yellow, orange or brown stains on specific teeth, the enamel of the tooth might also look pitted, this could be caused by excessive fluoride (usually in drinking water) during the formation of teeth, known as fluorosis.
The discoloration can be treated initially at home in approximately 2-4months depending on the severity.
White Spots
Bright white spots most noticeable on front teeth can be associated with chronic infections, high temperatures and medications as a baby or young child, premature birth or low birth weight baby, all effecting how the enamel of the tooth forms.
The white spots can be successfully treated following the protocols we have in place at home approximately 2-4months depending on the severity.
Tetracycline
Tetracycline is a commonly prescribed antibiotic often used for treatment of acne and other skin conditions. Patients with this type staining ranges from mild to severe discolouration’s which can vary in colour from grey, blue yellow and brown. The colour and pattern of discolouration depends on the type of medication, dosage and duration, relating to when the teeth where forming.
A desirable result can be achieved for patients with Tetracycline staining by completing the treatment at home for anything up to 6months depending on the severity.
Single Dark Tooth
Trauma to a tooth, such as falling of a bicycle as child, sporting injuries or swimming pool accidents can all lead to a tooth becoming significantly discoloured. It is important to determine if the tooth is alive (vital) or dead (non-vital) before treatment can be recommended.
If the tooth is alive, home whitening in stages is carried out, first with a tray and gel that will concentrate the gel on the discoloured tooth, once this tooth matches the other teeth, a new tray is used to whiten all the teeth.
Internal Bleaching
Front teeth that have been root filled, can become discoloured over time, internal bleaching can be carried out by placing a higher strength carbamide peroxide gel inside the tooth, the gel needs to be replaced every 2 weeks until the colour of the tooth matches. This procedure is carried out by our Endodontist Dr Jude Ferreira
Microabrasion
Teeth with white spots or severe discoloration such fluorosis, often require further treatment once the whitening treatment is completed.
Microabrasion can be carried out to fade and smooth the last of the white spots or defect. A purple glittery paste is applied and polished onto the tooth surface, this procedure is repeated several times in one visit, multiple visits maybe required to achieve the desired result.
Resin Infiltration (ICON)
Icon is a resin material which is applied to the tooth surface to fade and seal the white spots. This treatment like microabrasion may need multiple visits to achieve the desired result.
ICON RESIN INFILTRATION
Resin infiltration, a minimally invasive restorative procedure, which helps fade/mask white-spot lesions found on teeth. These lesions, manifest as white spots and typically arise due to enamel defects, trauma, or infection in primary teeth. They result from reduced calcium and ion access to deeper enamel layers, culminating in white spots on the tooth’s surface.
The enamel is treated with an alcohol gel to prepare the surface of the tooth, then a resin is infiltrated into the enamel to mask/seal over the white spot. The treatment is safe and minimally invasive.
The treatment is normally combined with home whitening first to help improve the over base shade first.