Teeth Whitening In Surgery

Teeth Whitening In-Surgery

What is in-surgery teeth whitening?

Professional in-surgery teeth whitening is a process where your licensed dentist or dental professional manages your teeth whitening process by helping you decide what level and type of teeth whitening is best for you, and then either administers the process directly, or provides clear direction to you for self-administering at-home. For this “at-home” process, you would purchase your teeth whitening products through your dentist’s surgery.

The three main types of professional teeth whitening systems your dentist may suggest are light or laser-enhanced in-surgery teeth whitening, non-light in-surgery teeth whitening, or use-at-home tray systems. For an in-surgery teeth whitening treatment, your dentist or dental professional will carefully apply the proprietary teeth whitening formula (gel) directly on your teeth and, depending on the system being used, may or may not utilise a light source or a laser to enhance the whitening power of the peroxide gel. Another service your dentist may offer is fitting you for a custom take-home teeth whitening tray. These powerful whitening options are only available through your dentist or dental professional.

Teeth Whitening Procedure & Steps

What Steps Are Involved With In-surgery Teeth Whitening?

Although different in-surgery teeth whitening systems can vary slightly from product to product, there are common practices that you will experience when you see your dentist for in-surgery whitening.

The first thing that will happen when you receive in-surgery teeth whitening is that the dentist or hygienist will need to establish your baseline tooth colour. This gives your dental professional an idea of exactly how stained your teeth are, and how deep the stains are into your teeth. Usually, a dentist or hygienist will have an assortment of coloured tabs that will be compared against your teeth. This way, your dentist can record precisely how stained your teeth are when you came in, and define the effectiveness of the teeth whitening procedure based on the number of shades your teeth improve by. Some dentists also like to take a picture of the patient’s mouth as a means of visually capturing the transformation from stained to whitened teeth.

After a baseline is established, the dentist will cover your lips and gums so that the high concentration peroxide gel does not touch sensitive oral “soft” tissue. Next, a “barrier material” in the form of a liquid or “cream” is applied to the gums and then “dried” with a curing light to help harden the barrier material. This is done protect the gums from the high concentration peroxide. It is essential that all the “soft tissue” of the mouth (gums, lips, tongue) are protected to avoid irritation. Finally, a teeth whitening gel is applied to your teeth by the dentist. Some systems use a light source (such as a UV or LED whitening lamp) designed to accelerate the teeth whitening process. [1]

For “light-assisted” procedures, a light is turned on and is focused directly on the teeth. This light activates the gel and the teeth whitening process begins. This is usually done in 3 to 4 sessions, with each session lasting anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, once again depending on the system used. At the end of each session, the whitening gel is removed from the teeth and a fresh coat of gel is reapplied. This is done because most teeth whitening gels contain hydrogen peroxide which is “very reactive”, meaning it works quickly and then usually stops working after 20 minutes (once again, the specific formula used will determine how long the peroxide should remain on the teeth). The entire process of in-surgery teeth whitening usually takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours from start to finish. For in-surgery procedures that do not use a light or laser source, the steps are almost identical. During each 10 to 20 minute session the gel is on your teeth but no light source is being used on the teeth.

[1] Ontiveros JC, Paravina R, Ward MT. Clinical Evaluation of a Chairside Whitening Lamp and Bleaching Efficacy. Journal of Dental Research 87(Special Issue A): 1081, 2008

Teeth Whitening Costs & Results

What Is The Cost of In-surgery Teeth Whitening?

One benefit of in-surgery bleaching is most patients can have one treatment and achieve optimal results. This means that patients only have to pay for one treatment. While this is generally the most expensive option for whitening teeth, the results are immediate. The procedure fees for in-surgery whitening vary by dentists and can range from £299-£750. One of the reasons the price range varies so much is that some dentists include additional services with their whitening procedure, offering a more “inclusive” treatment. A consultation with your dental professional is the best way to find out how much in-surgery teeth whitening will cost for your particular level of staining, and how many treatments will be necessary. They can also discuss what types of additional products you may need (such as whitening toothpastes or oral rinses) to maintain your white smile.

Professionally supervised and dispensed products such as at-home whitening trays with gel, can be less expensive but take longer to achieve peak results. With fees ranging from around £199 to £399, patients can have a custom tray fitted by their dental professional, which they will wear when convenient or while sleeping for a period of one-to-two weeks. While this method can ultimately achieve the same results as light/laser enhanced in-surgery bleaching, the results are not immediate so patience is required.

What Kind Of Results Will I Get From In-surgery Teeth Whitening?

There is a reason that many celebrities use in-surgery bleaching - the results can be immediate and dramatic. By working with a dental professional you will be able to gauge exactly how white you want your teeth and create an individualised treatment plan. Some clinical studies have reported that in just one surgery visit, the average result is up to 8 shades lighter[1]. These results can last anywhere from 6 months to as long as 1-2 years with the use of professional maintenance products such as toothpastes, rinses, and at-home/ between-visit bleaching kits. Lifestyle, diet and genetics will also affect how long teeth whitening will last before re-treatment is recommended. Your dental professional will be able to provide you with the best recommendation.

How Many In-surgery Teeth Whitening Treatments Will I Need?

The number of treatments or sessions needed will depend upon the individualised plan you come up with by consulting with your dental professional. Some stains are deep in the dentin, or caused by antibiotics given to patients while their teeth were still forming. These types of stains can be more difficult to get out and will need the studied eye of a dentist who is well versed in how to use professional whitening methods to achieve the most favourable results. For most patients, however, whether due to drinking staining beverages such as coffee and wine, smoking cigarettes, or just simply due to age, they will be able to achieve dramatically whiter teeth with in a single visit. [2]

[2] Tonn, Elvern DDS. Guide to Teeth Whitening, WebMD., 2009 http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-whitening

Teeth Whitening Laser & Lights

Why Use A Laser or Light Activated System?

Clinical studies have shown that when a light source is added to the whitening process, the results are enhanced. Some studies actually show an additional two shade improvement when a light is used vs. no use of a light. As reported in the Journal of the American Dental Association, “Peroxide and light treatment significantly lightened the colour of teeth to a greater extent than did peroxide or light alone.” [1] In-surgery teeth whitening systems that are not light activated can achieve the same end result of whiter, brighter teeth, but usually with a higher strength of peroxide or more surgery visits.

[1] JADA, Vol. 134, February 2003, p167-175

Hydrogen Peroxide Teeth Whitening Gel

What Type of Teeth Whitener is Used?

The majority of in-surgery whitening systems use a hydrogen peroxide formula that contains anywhere from 15% to 38% peroxide.

Teeth Whitening Side Effects

What Are The Side Effects Of In-surgery Bleaching?

There are very few side effects from in-surgery bleaching, and the few listed here resolve very quickly.

Side effects from in-surgery bleaching which may be experienced include:

Tooth sensitivity to cold and hot foods, drinks or even air. During the bleaching process the nerves inside the teeth may become temporarily irritated by the bleaching agent and heat due to the bleach opening the pores of the teeth as it removes the stains. As a result, patients may notice a temporary increased sensitivity of the teeth to cold, hot, air and sweets. If this occurs, simple over-the-counter pain medications help. There are also professionally dispensed options such as desensitising gels, fluorides, toothpastes or rinses that can help. In most cases however, this sensitivity will resolve in 24-48 hours.

Soft tissue irritation can occur from either the chemical bleach sitting on the gums or from the light used to activate the whitener. During the process the gums and lips are protected, but sometimes the tissue is inadvertently exposed. Any white patches that appear on the gums from the chemical whitener will go away within hours. Any sores on the lip may take longer, but a lip balm will help.

Spotty colouring of the teeth may be noticed after teeth whitening because some areas of the same tooth may lighten quicker than other areas. This is oftentimes difficult to predict, but the spotty colour will begin to blend again quickly once the whitening procedures are discontinued and no other treatment is needed.

Compare Professional In-surgery Tooth Bleaching Systems

Professional In-surgery Whitening Treatment Systems Reviewed

Zoom One-Hour Whitening System
The procedure is simple, but requires a trained clinician to administer. It begins with a short preparation to cover your lips and gums, leaving only your teeth exposed. The Zoom clinician then applies the proprietary Zoom whitening gel. The Zoom light is then pointed at the teeth and gel. The light and gel work together to gently penetrate your teeth, breaking up the stains and discolouration. The gel is applied for 3 15 minute sessions for a total treatment time of about 45 minutes. Zoom is clinically proven to whiten teeth up to 8 shades in about an hour. Learn more about Zoom and find a dentist at www.zoomnow.com.[1]

Dash Teeth Whitening system
Dash is a relatively new one-hour whitening treatment that does not require a laser or lamp to activate the whitening gel. Dash whitening is only available in a dentist’s surgery, and uses a unique 30% hydrogen peroxide whitening gel. Each treatment also comes with sensitivity relief gel. (Relief ACP ™)

The Britesmile teeth whitening system.
Britesmile one-hour whitening is a safe and gentle procedure that is available in dental surgeries, as well as in mall “spas." Though the procedure is safe when applied by a dental professional, the ADA reports that, Non- dental whitening venues have come under scrutiny in several states and jurisdictions, resulting in actions to reserve the delivery of this service to dentists or appropriately supervised allied dental personnel.”[2]

Britesmile prodedures begin with whitening gel carefully applied to the teeth. The gel is then activated by BriteSmile’s patented blue light for 20 minutes. This process is repeated twice more. The BriteSmile procedure produces results at an average of 8 shades whiter per treatment. [3]

For more information and to search for a BriteSmile dentist, visit www.britesmilewhitening.com.
The LaserSmile Teeth Whitening System:
The LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system is manufactured by Biolase Technology, Inc. Biolase also manufactures the Waterlase ® dental laser. The LaserSmile ™ teeth whitening system, however, utilises the LaserSmileT diode laser.

The Sapphire Chairside System:
The Sapphire teeth whitening system is manufactured by Den-Mat corporation. It is an in-surgery procedure that uses a 35% hydrogen peroxide gel. This procedure can be performed with or without a plasma-arc lamp. It is performed in a dental surgery.

The Beyond Power Whitening System:
Manufactured by Beyond, this is an in-surgery “chairside” procedure that uses a proprietary 35% hydrogen peroxide gel. This lamp-activated whitening procedure is not to be confused with the Beyond™ whitening system that is sold in non-professional settings like beauty shops and spas.

The LumaCool Teeth Whitening System:
The LumaCool Whitening System uses L.E.D. (Light Emitting Diode) technology in its in-surgery whitening system. Treatment time using this product is about an hour, and is performed in a dentist’s surgery.

The NUPRO White Gold / Illumine system:
The NUPRO ® White Gold / Illumine ™ professional teeth whitening system is manufactured by Dentsply International. This company makes a wide range of dental products. This system is a combination whitening approach that incorporates both in-surgery (Illumine ™) and at-home (NUPRO ® White Gold) whitening treatments.

[1] Ontiveros JC, Paravina R, Ward MT. Clinical Evaluation of a Chairside Whitening Lamp and Bleaching Efficacy. Journal of Dental Research 87(Special Issue A): 1081, 2008

[2] ADA Council on Scientific Affairs, Tooth Whitening/Bleaching: Treatment Considerations for Dentists and Their Patients, September 2009. http://www.ada.org/sections/about/pdfs/HOD_whitening_rpt.pdf

[3] JADA, Vol. 134, February 2003, p167-175

What is the Difference Between In-surgery and At Home Teeth Whitening?

The major differences between these two professional teeth whitening options are time and money.

In just one surgery visit (lasting about 90 minutes), a dental professional can whiten a patient’s teeth about five to eight shades whiter.[1] Some consumers may find in-surgery whitening to be the most time-efficient option, although it is can cost anywhere from £299-£750 depending on the degree of the stain, and the fees charged by the individual dentist.

Take home professional teeth whitening products such as the tray method are cheaper, and cost approximately £199-£350 but must be worn over the course of 1-2 weeks, once again depending on the level of staining as well as the individual’s goals. If time is money, the most cost-effective method is in-surgery teeth whitening. By conferring with your dentist you can choose the best product for whitening your teeth. [2]

[1] JADA, Vol. 134, February 2003, p167-175

[2] Menage Bernie, RDH and Fehrenbach, RDH, MS Dental Hygiene. Get the Facts on Tooth Whitening, ADHA.org,. 2005 www.adha.org/downloads/tooth_whitening_factsheet.pd