Frequently Asked Questions

Who at SmileBrite administers the procedure?

SmileBrite only employs qualified dental hygienists, therapists and dentists. All employees responsible for procedure delivery are extensively trained in the SmileBrite step-by-step process to ensure a high-level of client satisfaction and improved whiteness is achieved.

How does it work?

Whitening involves the use of an oxidising agent to lighten teeth. The bleach lightens the colour substances within the teeth, without damaging the enamel. Different areas of the teeth whiten at different rates. This is related to the thickness of the dentine and its base colour which is responsible for the tooth shade. Over time (3-6 months) staining may reduce the brightness of the original results. Using an in-home kit over one or two days will be enough to brighten teeth again. Additional kits can be purchased from Smile Brite.

How white will my teeth get?

Teeth whitening procedure research has shown that teeth can be whitened by up to 8 shades lighter and that 9 out of 10 people experience successful lightening of their teeth. Not everyone’s teeth respond in the same way. Results will vary due to factors such as tooth colour, tooth density, tooth porosity, and lifestyle habits. Most people will brighten their teeth substantially with several treatments using in home applications. Using the light activated technology a one-hour procedure will provide you with vastly increased whiteness in one session. There are no predictors for the final outcome. Only by attempting the procedure will patients learn how light their teeth will get and how quickly the lightening occurs.

Will my crowns, veneers or fillings get whiter?

The actual colour of the porcelain will not change but topical stains will be removed effectively. Fillings will not change colour, and may have to be replaced after you have finished your whitening treatment. Before having any crown or veneer work undertaken a whitening procedure before hand would be most beneficial. It is recommended that your teeth be in reasonable health and not in need of excessive dental work.
 
Fillings will not whiten, although, because they are cleaned up during the process of tooth whitening, they may appear to have whitened. Therefore it is better to have your teeth whitened before any restorative or cosmetic dental treatment done in order to be able to match the new whitened shade of your teeth.

How long should my whitening last?

Your new brighter smile is expected to last 3 to 5 years duration. Clinical studies show that after 18 months 74% of teeth that have been whitened retained their lightness without additional treatment. However everyone’s habits and lifestyles vary and the use of tobacco, regular drinking of red wine; coffee or tea will affect how long the results will last. The take home kit allows you to keep them white at minimal cost.
 
Many people don’t feel the need to use a top-up kit for years.  Often one or two applications with a top-up kit per year is enough to maintain the colour.  A top-up kit will last up to 18 months if kept in the fridge.

Is it safe?

Yes it is safe. The gel formula will not harm the enamel on your teeth and will not affect your existing fillings. Is there any pain or discomfort with this treatment? Sensitivity is mild, transient and will resolve upon cessation of the treatment. The specially formulated gels are very gentle. If you find the procedure very sensitive then an application of a desensitising agent prior to or during treatment will eliminate the problem.

Does it Hurt?

No, it is certainly not meant to hurt. Home whitening can lead to some tooth sensitivity which is not something which is long lasting. If tooth sensitivity does occur, we recommend a de-sensitising gel or tooth mousse be placed in the home whitening trays and that be done every second application during tooth whitening (i.e.: tooth whitening gel one time – de-sensitising gel or tooth mousse the next, rotationally). Also reducing the frequency of application of the tooth whitening gel will reduce tooth sensitivity.
 
Tooth sensitivity goes away once tooth whitening has been completed. The stronger the gel, the more likely the possibility of sensitivity. We recommend 10% Carbamide Peroxide, there are stronger (up to 22%) available.
 
The In-Clinic whitening using 35% hydrogen peroxide. This should not be a painful procedure. Clients are usually aware of a “pinging” sensation and we make them aware that it is to be expected and is not regarded as pain. This sensation will subside over 24 hours after the procedure is completed.

Is it dangerous?

The use of peroxide in the mouth has been thoroughly tested over the years, mostly in lightening non-vital teeth. The only tests done to ensure carbamide peroxide is a safe product have been done using 10% carbamide peroxide. There is a great deal of literature available on the testing of this product and we use only those products that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
 
We do not use the 15% or 22% carbamide peroxide as those have not been sanctioned as safe to use.

Will teeth keep on getting whiter as long as the bleach is used?

No.  Teeth will generally stop whitening after a point and the client will notice that they just don’t get any whiter; this is the point where usage of the whitening gel should cease.  They will fade back a little in the first week after you stop. 

Can teeth stained by antibiotics be whitened?

Yes. They certainly can be lightened to a shade much whiter shade than they are to start with. They probably can’t be taken to a completely white colour but a very significant improvement can be made without having to treat the teeth with caps or crowns.  However, to achieve a completely white and unstained look under close observation the teeth will probably still need to have porcelain veneers placed on them.  However, the porcelain veneers would look much more real if the teeth had been whitened first using tooth whitening.

Can pregnant women have their teeth whitened?

Pregnant women can have the in-clinic whitening done, since we control the extent of the spread of the gel in the clinic.  Therefore none of the gel is swallowed; therefore none of it can harm the unborn baby.  However we advise pregnant women not to use home whitening simply because, although thoroughly tested because this is an elective procedure it is best not to ingest any thing extraneous during the course of pregnancy. 

How is a Home Whitening kit made?

Well first of all we take a mould of your upper and lower teeth, we then make stone models from these moulds.  A layer of resin is placed over each tooth on the model and then a clear flexible plastic tray is vacuum formed over this model.  When this has been specifically cut back and shaped and placed back on your own tooth there is a space between your teeth and the tray in which the whitening gel can sit.  This means that you will use less whitening gel for each application and you will be less likely to swallow any of the gel, although it is safe. 

How long does it take to have whiter teeth?

It can take from as little as an hour in clinic up to two weeks done every night at home.  We usually recommend that if you are in a hurry you have the In-Clinic whitening combined with a Home-Whitening kit so you can get them to the whitest possible colour. 

It can take up to six weeks if you experience sensitivity and have to slow down the process but everybody will be able to get to their whitest potential.