Want to brighten up your smile? Teeth whitening is a popular and affordable option to make your teeth sparkle.
Teeth whitening or bleaching has become more popular in recent years. Whitening your teeth is a great way to help restore self-esteem. When your teeth literally shine, it can help you feel more confident.
There are a few different options for whitening your teeth including in-practice whitening, performed by a dentist or hygienist, and take-home whitening kits. Your dentist or hygienist will be able to recommend the best option to suit your needs.
What is it?
Teeth whitening or bleaching is the process of whitening the teeth. Before undergoing whitening treatment a dentist will examine your teeth and gums and advise you if they are healthy enough to go through a whitening process.
We offer several teeth whitening options, ranging from our custom-made take-home kits to in-practice procedures. Results can vary, but generally the improvement is great enough for you to see a change within a very short time.
Take-home teeth whitening
For take-home whitening treatment we offer the Pola or Zoom Teeth Whitening* System. You will need to book a teeth whitening appointment with your Lumino practice first. Once you're in the chair, a dentist will fit you with a custom-made tray. Within days, your complete whitening kit will be ready to collect. Your kit contains two new custom-made trays (one for the top teeth and one for the bottom), syringes of whitening gel and easy-to-follow instructions.
Once home, you apply a small drop of gel inside each tooth impression in your two trays, place on your teeth, then relax over the next few hours – read, talk, watch TV, surf the internet – while the whitening gel does its job.
After your whitening session, remove and rinse your trays, and then brush your teeth. Repeat this over the next week or two until you achieve the level of whitening you desire. The snug fit of your custom-made tray and the dentist-quality whitening gel provides you with an amazing result.
In-practice teeth whitening
In-practice teeth whitening is a professional whitening procedure that's done in the dental chair. It's the fastest and most effective way to whiten teeth and usually takes around one-and-a-half to two hours to complete. In-practice whitening is the best option if you want almost 'instant' results.
The dentist or hygienist will first apply a protective gel to your lips and gums, followed by the application of the whitening gel to the teeth. The gel (which contains hydrogen peroxide) is then activated by a special LED light. The process varies in length, depending on the depth of the stain and the goal level of whiteness. It can be a little uncomfortable having your mouth open for such a long time, but many patients find listening to music or watching a movie helps to distract them. The upside is that there is usually only one treatment required. Deep staining may require additional treatments.
You need to see a dentist or hygienist for a pre-whitening consultation to check your suitability for the whitening treatment. During the consultation your dentist or hygienist will examine the you and may identify any treatment that needs to be done before going ahead with whitening treatment. Any treatment required is chargeable to you.
Need to know
Appointments
- Usually 1 to 2 appointments
- At the first consultation visit the dentist will check if teeth whitening is suitable for you. If it is suitable the whitening may be done in the same appointment
- If you're getting a take-home whitening kit you will be fitted with a custom-made tray
How long it takes
- The consultation will usually take around 10 to 15 minutes
- Treatment will usually only take around 45 to 90 minutes
You may be asked about
- Your dental history and medical history
Before your appointment
- No special preparation needed
After your appointment
- You can usually carry on as normal
Quick tip
We offer several teeth whitening options. Results can vary, but generally the improvement is great enough for you to see a change within a very short time.
Have questions?
The price of teeth whitening will depend on whether you get in-practice whitening or a take-home whitening kit. The whitening services vary across practices. Some practices offer promotions or deals on whitening when you get other services done.
Whitening at home is safe if it is done correctly. Many of our practices offer Pola or Zoom teeth whitening systems, which are professional take-home whitening treatments. With these whitening treatments you’ll need to visit your dentist first to check your eligibility for the whitening treatment and to fit you properly for a custom-made tray. If you are whitening at home you book an appointment at your nearest Lumino practice to get started.
The length of time that teeth whitening will last depends on many factors, including the lifestyle and habits that resulted in the stained teeth in the first place. Generally, it should be several years before the stains reappear to the level they were before treatment. Some whitening systems also have home touch-up kits available to top up the whiteness. This helps to enhance the whitening further and maintains your investment for longer.
Teeth whitening is safe when it's done correctly. It’s important to visit your dentist for a consultation before getting any whitening treatment so they can check if your teeth are suitable for whitening treatment. We don’t recommend ordering teeth whitening kits online and doing it yourself as you don’t know if it's safe to use, or if your teeth are suitable.
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