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Tooth Whitening

ZOOM! In Chair Whitening

At Concord Dental Practice, we offer ZOOM! Advanced 4 in-chair whitening.  The in-chair procedure takes just over an hour to complete and can have you walking out with an improvement in tooth colour of up to 9 shades! Many patients prefer this method of whitening, as it is quicker, and does not involve wearing trays every day for a few weeks to achieve whiter teeth. 

The procedure involves careful isolation of your soft tissues (tongue, cheeks and gums) by a professionally trained dentist, followed by the application of hydrogen peroxide, the whitening gel, for 15 minutes. A UV light is used to accelerate the whitening process. This process is repeated 3 to 4 times for maximum results.

The in chair whitening experience is complemented by the use of music on our headphones, or a movie on our TV screens - alternatively, feel free to bring in your own! The ZOOM! Advanced 4 includes a set of customised, take home trays, to top up the whitening results as required. 

Longevity of the whitening results depends on each person’s diet and lifestyle, and can be affected by exposure to coffee and tea, red wine and smoking.

Take Home Whitening

The alternative method of tooth whitening involves seeing your dentist to have a set up upper and lower moulds taken, which are then used to create your own customised trays. After an appointment where the dentist assesses the fit of these trays to your teeth, you can begin whitening right away! 3 syringes of whitening gel are provided, which is carefully placed in the trays, and worn for anywhere between one to four hours every day, until you are happy with the results (this is generally two weeks). Your dentist will tell you which gel is more appropriate and suitable to your needs.

What is the active ingredient in whitening gels?

Hydrogen Peroxide and Carbamide Peroxide are the two most common ingredients used to whiten teeth. Hydrogen peroxide is highly potent for a short amount of time, and is great for patients who prefer to wear trays only for a short period of time (one or two hours).

Carbamide peroxide is a combination of hydrogen peroxide mixed together with urea. Urea acts to extend the effectiveness of peroxide over a longer period of time. It is the preferable option for those patients with sensitive teeth, and for those who can tolerate wearing bleaching trays for longer periods of time (two or four hours).

What must I avoid eating during the whitening process?

We ask that for the duration of your whitening procedure, you avoid eating or drinking anything which may stain your teeth. This includes, but is not limited to, wine, spaghetti with red sauce, curries, coffee and smoking. The results of whitening can last a long time, however, it is influenced by your lifestyle.

Is whitening bad for my teeth?

Whitening is not at all harmful to your teeth. However, one common side effect is sensitivity. A check up is encouraged prior to whitening to ensure that you do not have any decay, which may exacerbate the sensitivity felt during the whitening process. Gum recession is another cause of sensitivity. 

Sensitivity can be minimised by the use of a sensitive toothpaste or toothmousse. Alternatively, prior to placing the whitening gel in your trays, you can replace it with Relief ACP gel (provided to your by your dentist) and wear this for 10-30 minutes, once per day for 2-3 days prior to Zoom treatment. 

Why are whitening booths cheaper?

Non dental-affiliated whitening cubicles are often cheaper than what we offer. This is due to several reasons:

1) The qualifications of the people whitening your teeth and their knowledge of the process and potential risks and harms involved. The cause of teeth discolouration needs to be diagnosed by a dental professional, in order to assess whether the individual is a candidate for a successful whitening outcome

2) The products used to carry out the whitening process

3) Is follow up care available?

4) Are your soft tissues, such as your cheek, gums and tongue, protected during the whitening process?

5) Whitening can exacerbate existing dental disease and cause more sensitivity and discomfort unnecessarily. This is why a dental check up is always recommended prior to whitening procedures

The Australian Dental Association has been advocating the closure of such institutions for the reasons cited above. 

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