Tooth whitening or bleaching is now available again after several years of legal quibbling. The difficulty is in whether it is defined as a cosmetic product or a medical product according to EC legislation.
It does not relate to the safety or efficacy of the products we use.

Bleaching is able to achieve reliable whitening of the teeth, but cannot produce miracles!

It will not affect the colour of existing fillings or crowns/caps/bridges, and patients need to be aware that these may need replacing to get the best affect once bleaching has been done. However, in some cases we have bleached teeth back to match old crowns that are too pale.

Teeth that have darkened after having been root filled are best lightened through a related technique which we also can provide. It involves a concentrated session of bleaching the darkened tooth with a stronger version of the gel

Kick Start
.It is possible to speed up the bleaching by having a session in the surgery with a more concentrated bleaching gel. There is an additional charge for this.
It is also possible to do most of the bleaching in the surgery, however, you will still have to do some bleaching at home as described below to finish off and stabilise the result

How does it work?
Bleaching is achieved through soaking  the teeth in a 10 - 20 % carbamyl gel for an hour or two at a time. The gel releases hydrogen peroxide and is held in place by a thin vacuum-formed mouthguard, usually called a bleaching splint. It is estimated that around 30 hours of exposure are needed to get the desired lightening, and the gel is at its most active in the first hour.

Is it safe?
The gel is safe to ingest and is neutral in pH. There is no evidence it can damage the teeth or gums.
The main reported side-effect ( other than the teeth getting lighter in colour) is increased sensitivity to cold, which subsides to normal a few days after the bleaching is stopped.

How long does it last?
The effect is relatively permanent, with a high proportion of patients in the States reportedly still happy with the results after three years. If the effect does fade slightly the use of one or two tubes of the gel once or twice a year should restore it. For this reason the bleaching splint(s) should be stored safely in case they are needed again.

What happens when I ask for bleaching?

Generally the need for bleaching and any problems with existing fillings are initially discussed with your dentist, and if the decision is made to go ahead then an impression is made for the splint(s).
An appointment is made about a week later to fit the splint(s) when it is returned from the technician and run over the application of the gel.
Follow-up appointments are then made every 3-4 weeks to review progress and dispense further packs of the gel.

Using the gel

A small blob of gel is dispensed into each tooth space in the splint

The splint is then placed in the mouth and left there for at least one hour, or overnight if this is agreeable to the patient. The mouth should then be rinsed and the teeth lightly brushed, and any remaining gel washed or brushed out of the splint.
If sensitivity is a problem then please mention this to your dentist.
As an emergency measure the use of Sensodyne desensitising toothpaste or fluoride gel in the splint for another hour or two should help. The gel should be stored in a cool place or the fridge.

What does it cost

Plan Patients : one arch - £215               both arches - £280

Private Patients:one arch  - £240                          both arches - £320

This includes provision of one or two splints and as much gel as required in the initial course of treatment

Once treatment is completed further tubes can be purchased to ‘top up’ the bleaching from time to time.