What is dental whitening?
Teeth whitening is a technique used to lighten the natural colour of teeth. The treatment can be performed at the clinic or at home with professional instructions, depending on the patient’s needs.
Dental Whitening
Types of whitening
01
In-office whitening
Whitening performed at the dental clinic under professional supervision using Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed technology, designed to help brighten tooth colour safely and efficiently.
02
At-home whitening
Custom whitening trays provided by the dentist, with instructions for use at home.
Whitening done at home
01
Consultation with review of the patient’s dental and medical history
02
Impressions or scan of the dental arches to be whitened
03
Fabrication of custom plastic trays
04
Delivery of the trays with the whitening product
05
Application instructions given to the patient
06
Follow-up to monitor the progress of the treatment
Whitening performed in the clinic
01
Consultation with review of the patient’s dental and medical history
02
Estimated costs based on the number of sessions required
03
Protection of the gums and soft tissues of the mouth
04
Application of the whitening product on the teeth
05
Application of a desensitizing agent if necessary
06
Post-operative instructions given to the patient
Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed technology
At Centre Dentaire La Couronne, in-office whitening may be performed using Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed technology. This professional chair-side whitening system uses a whitening gel with LED light activation and is designed to support a controlled treatment under dental supervision.
Clinical studies have shown that Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed can improve tooth colour and shade. Sensitivity was monitored throughout the study and was generally reported as mild when present.
Before recommending whitening, your dentist will evaluate your teeth, gums, existing restorations and sensitivity level to determine the most appropriate option for your smile.
Important notes
- Cleaning and scaling before whitening is recommended to optimize results.
- In-clinic whitening and at-home whitening can be combined for optimal results.
- The longevity of the treatment cannot be predicted, as it depends closely on the patient’s lifestyle.
- Results may be affected by tobacco products, coffee, red wine, and pigmented foods, vegetables or spices.
- Some natural tooth shades are more receptive to whitening than others.
- The result is not permanent, so the process may need to be repeated at regular intervals.
- Whitening products have no effect on restorations already present in the mouth, such as bridges, crowns, veneers and composite fillings.
- Teeth may be sensitive to heat and cold temporarily during or after treatment.
Maintenance
01
Avoid foods and drinks rich in colour in the hours following treatment, such as coffee, tea, herbal tea and red wine
02
Limit smoking as much as possible
03
Use whitening touch-up syringes when recommended for at-home maintenance
04
Maintain good oral hygiene, including brushing 2 to 3 times a day and flossing
05
Use interdental brushes and mouthwash when necessary
06
Make an appointment twice a year for a dental exam and complete cleaning
Contraindications
- Patient with active gum disease (periodontitis);
- Patient with untreated cavities;
- Patient who plans to change the position of his or her teeth through orthodontic treatment, since the whitening trays may no longer fit;
- A person under 12 years of age or whose permanent teeth have not yet erupted;
- Pregnant or breastfeeding woman;
- Patient with restorations already present in the mouth that he or she does not want or cannot change, such as veneers, crowns, bridges, etc.;
- Ideally, people under 18 years of age should not do a whitening treatment, since the position of the teeth in the bone can still change and the trays do not adapt to the growth of the jaw;
- Smokers may have less stable results over time, since nicotine stains teeth significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brighten your smile
If you would like a whiter smile, our team can evaluate your teeth and recommend the whitening option best suited to your needs.