Teeth Whitening at Harley Street

Sometimes to achieve a beautiful smile, it can require multiple methods of treatment. Discoloured or stained teeth can give the appearance of an unhealthy smile, which in turn can cause problems with confidence or self-esteem. If you would like whiter teeth, there are teeth whitening treatments available that can help you reach your desired smile.

The whiteness of our teeth is one of the major factors that make up the appearance of our teeth. While orthodontic treatment can address many concerns with our teeth, it takes specialised teeth whitening treatment to improve the brightness of our smile. At Specialist Orthodontist Harley Street, we can combine your orthodontic and whitening treatments to give you a healthy, radiant smile.

Discolouration of teeth is a common problem encountered in modern life, and can be caused in various ways. Damaged enamel and particular types of food and drink are the normal culprits of discoloured teeth.

Enamel is the strong protective coating around your teeth, and gives your teeth their pearly appearance. When damaged, the yellow part of the tooth underneath can be exposed. Alternatively, pockets can be created in the normally smooth enamel, trapping food and drink which can cause stains. Damage can be caused by age, accidents, acidic or sugary foods, poor dental hygiene and more.

Red wine, coffee and tea are all well known drinks which can cause staining. Foods include vinegar, blueberries, beetroot and tomatoes. Tobacco is also notorious for causing staining. Avoiding staining substances isn't always easy, especially as some can actually be positive for your oral health.

Typically, when you have teeth whitening treatment you would start by talking to your dentist. They can then recommend the best option for you and your situation. There are a number of different types of whitening treatment, and only a dental professional can give you a qualified medical opinion on your options.

Our dental care is provided by specialists who have over 30 years of experience in providing dental treatment. We can help remove stains, and give you a shining smile safely and effectively. In addition, the whitening gel we use can be used with Invisalign aligners to whiten your teeth as they are straightened.

“I have had my teeth whitened recently, and the service was very professional. The Orthodontist was very kind and caring, and I will definitely be coming back in the future.”

- Felix

It's important that you talk to a registered dental professional about your whitening treatment. Home whitening kits or off the shelf whitening products can in most scenarios be ineffective, as they don't contain enough of the whitening product. This can include whitening toothpastes and whitening strips.

Some home kits can carry the risk of being dangerous, as they can cause blistering or sensitivity if the bleaching product leaks due to an ill-fitting mouthguard. Teeth whitening given by unqualified individuals not only puts your teeth at risk, but is also illegal. This is most commonly encountered in beauty salons.

When going to a qualified dental professional for teeth whitening, there are still potential risks. It's possible that your gums can be sensitive to the chemicals used with teeth whitening, especially if you already suffer from tooth sensitivity. Your dentist will assess your teeth and gums for suitability with the treatment.

Your tooth whitening journey begins with a visit to your dentist. If you choose to have your teeth whitening treatment with us, you'll need to schedule in several appointments to see your dentist over the course of a couple of months. At your initial consultation, you and your dentist will decide wether tooth whitening treatment is suitable for your smile. After your dentist has decided that this treatment is the best course of action for you, they will then make a mould of your teeth. This mould will then make its way into a dental lab, where it will then be used to create tooth whitening trays that are accurately formed into the shape of your teeth. When these trays are ready, your dentist will then book an appointment with you to fit them so that you can make sure that they are sufficient and comfortable.

When you are happy with the fit of your new bespoke tooth-whitening trays, you will be able to take them home along with some tooth whitening gel. At a time that fits in with your daily routine, fill the trays with the gel supplied and wear them for a minimum of a few hours each day; or overnight. The length of time that this will take to whiten your teeth will vary according to the level of discolouration.

When the time comes that you are happy with how white your new smile is, you can simply stop wearing the tooth whitening trays to finish your treatment. This process only affects natural teeth. Remember, if you have any issues or want to know the answers to any questions, your dentist is on hand to help you.

Laser whitening is another effective form of tooth whitening system that can be administered to you. Also known as power whitening, a bleaching agent is directly implanted onto your teeth. After this is completed, a laser is then focused onto them to fully activate the whitening. This treatment takes around an hour to do.

Not in all cases. You can only have your teeth whitened on the NHS if there's a medical reason for it. For example, this might be to lighten teeth that have discoloured because the nerve has died. However, Specialist Orthodontist Harley Street is a privately run surgery and we offer teeth whitening mainly as a cosmetic treatment. Costs vary and laser whitening is more expensive than professional bleaching.

Don't be afraid to ask your dentist simple questions about the types of whitening treatment available, the results you can expect and whether the work is guaranteed for a certain period of time.

You may also want to ask them whether there are any risks involved, for example, increasing the sensitivity of your teeth or whether it will damage your gums. It is important you feel as fully informed as possible when considering treatment that affects your physical appearance.

Try to talk to other people who've had the same treatment or visit another dentist for a second opinion until you feel confident. Always ask for a written treatment plan and price estimate before going ahead.

If you take good care of your whiter teeth, they should last a long time. A good cleaning regime and avoiding smoking and drinking in particular, will help your newly whitened teeth to last as long as possible.

Specialist orthodontists are dentists who have more training and experience providing orthodontic treatments such as Invisalign. Patients that receive orthodontics from a specialist find that their treatment is of higher quality, they finish treatment much sooner, and the level of care they receive is much higher.

Due to advances in aligner technology, we no longer offer fixed braces as a treatment option. Our specialists have found that removable aligners such as Invisalign are more likely to result in successful treatment, and are safer for the patient compared to traditional braces. Even if you have been told that fixed are your only option by other practitioners; our specialists are confident we will be able to treat your orthodontic problems using this modern treatment.

Do you wish you had whiter teeth? If so, send a WhatsApp message by clicking here or complete the contact form below to arrange a free online consultation with our specialists and learn more about what we can do for you.