Teeth Whitening

Professional whitening uses clinical-strength bleaching agents that are only available to dental professionals, which means significantly faster and more predictable results. Over-the-counter strips might lighten your teeth by a shade or two over several weeks, whereas professional whitening can lighten them by multiple shades in a matter of days. Additionally, we provide custom-fitted trays that ensure even coverage and protect your gums, whilst shop-bought products can cause uneven results, gum irritation, and tooth sensitivity due to poor fit and uncontrolled application.

When carried out properly under professional supervision, teeth whitening is perfectly safe and doesn’t damage your tooth structure. The active ingredient (hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide) temporarily opens microscopic pores in your enamel to remove stain molecules, but it doesn’t erode or weaken the enamel itself. You might experience some temporary sensitivity, but this subsides quickly. Michael wouldn’t offer whitening to his patients if there were any concerns about long-term safety. He’s been providing whitening treatments for years without seeing any adverse effects.

This depends on your starting shade and your individual tooth structure. Most patients achieve lightening of several shades, typically six to eight shades on the standard dental shade guide. Teeth with yellowish discolouration tend to respond better than those with greyish tones. If your discolouration is caused by certain medications (such as tetracycline antibiotics), developmental conditions, or trauma, whitening alone might not achieve your desired result, and we’d discuss alternative options such as veneers. Michael will give you realistic expectations during your consultation based on your specific situation.

Results typically last between one and three years, though this varies considerably depending on your lifestyle and habits. If you’re a regular coffee or tea drinker, enjoy red wine, or smoke, you can expect your teeth to darken more quickly. Maintaining excellent oral hygiene and attending regular hygienist appointments will help preserve your results. The advantage of professional whitening is that top-ups are straightforward. Once you have your custom trays, you can purchase additional whitening gel and refresh your smile at home whenever you feel it’s needed.

 Most patients don’t find whitening painful, though some tooth sensitivity is common during and immediately after treatment. Your teeth might feel temporarily sensitive to hot or cold food and drinks for a few days. We can manage this with desensitising toothpaste or by adjusting the concentration of the whitening gel. If you already have sensitive teeth, please let us know during your consultation, and we’ll take extra precautions to minimise any discomfort, such as using a lower concentration gel over a longer period.

Whitening only works on natural tooth enamel. It won’t change the colour of crowns, veneers, bridges, or composite fillings. If you have visible restorations on your front teeth, whitening your natural teeth may create a colour mismatch. In such cases, you’ll need to consider whether you’re comfortable with this difference, or whether you’d prefer to replace those restorations after whitening to match your new, brighter shade. Michael will assess your individual situation during your consultation and advise on the best approach.

 In-surgery whitening (also known as power whitening) uses a higher concentration gel activated by a special light and delivers immediate results in approximately one hour. Home whitening uses custom-made trays and a lower concentration gel that you wear for a few hours each day (or overnight) over one to two weeks. Both methods are highly effective. In-surgery whitening is faster and ideal if you have a specific event approaching, whilst home whitening is more gradual but gives you greater control over the process. Many patients choose a combination of both for optimal results.

Yes, these surface stains (known as extrinsic stains) typically respond very well to professional whitening. This is precisely the type of discolouration that whitening is designed to address. However, if you have deeper intrinsic staining caused by factors such as medications taken during tooth development, excessive fluoride exposure, or dental trauma, whitening may be less effective or may not work at all. During your consultation, Michael will examine your teeth and advise you honestly on whether whitening will achieve your goals or whether alternative treatments like veneers would be more appropriate.

The full Enlighten treatment takes two to three weeks of nightly wear at home. Many patients notice visible improvement within the first few days of treatment.

Enlighten is specifically designed to minimise sensitivity. We also provide desensitising toothpaste to use before and during treatment for maximum comfort.

We recommend postponing elective whitening treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding as a precaution, even though the ingredients used are generally considered safe.

Enlighten home whitening treatment is competitively priced. Contact us for current pricing, as we occasionally run special offers on whitening treatments.