Here at Harley Street Dental Clinic, teeth whitening Harley Street has become one of our most popular services. Whether you’re looking to subtly lighten your teeth or are wanting to achieve more dazzling results, we are here to help.
There are several options for tooth whitening and the one which is most suitable for you will depend on the nature of your tooth discolouration and the general health of your teeth. Extrinsic staining is caused by things on the outside of your teeth, most commonly plaque which has become calcified into tartar. It can also be caused by enamel staining from smoking, red wine and coffee consumption.
Intrinsic staining is the result of a colour change within the tooth originating from stain-causing particles or bacteria gaining access to dentine through the enamel; this sometimes occurs in ‘dead’ teeth which become darker over time or due to several genetic conditions which result in the build up of coloured metabolic compounds in the teeth. The most common and notable chemical reason for intrinsic staining would be fluorosis from the overconsumption of fluoride.
Operation techniques vs chemical whitening techniques
Certain techniques are only effective at treating extrinsic staining, they work by grinding off a small quantity of the enamel and anything that may be adhered to it. We achieve this with an air based grinding tool alongside a fine abrasive powder. Our skilled dentists and hygienists can significantly improve the shade of your teeth with the minimal loss of enamel.
Chemical whitening techniques work both on extrinsic and intrinsic staining, they can be performed at home or in the clinic and rely on peroxide based bleaching gel. The concentration of this procedure is tightly regulated in the UK, with only 3% available for home whitening compared to the 20% used in our clinic.
Clinical teeth whitening Harley Street is therefore much faster, allowing a similar shade change to occur in a single session of in-practice lightening that you would achieve in 3 months at home using a lower concentration gel.
Maintaining a bright white smile
Regardless of which techniques are used to lighten your teeth, maintenance of a bright white smile can almost always be achieved by diligent brushing and regular flossing. Unfortunately, this is not the case for several genetic conditions which will require repeated lightening treatments or the use of veneers to permanently resolve the staining.
Getting dental advice before tooth whitening
There is not a one-size-fits-all option for tooth whitening; not only may you be unsure about the type of staining you’re suffering from, but your general dental health and other medical history can affect which treatments are suitable. Veneers and crowns may respond differently to bleaching solutions than natural enamel, leaving them looking significantly different to your natural teeth. If you already have thinning or weakened enamel, tooth whitening may not be recommended either through abrasion or bleaching, as abrasion thins the enamel further and bleaching makes it more permeable.
To have all your questions answered and to explore the potential of teeth whitening Harley Street, please feel free to get in contact with our clinic. We would be happy to give you advice over the phone.