© An Ozonater Production 2010 Tooth whitening can be the least invasive way of achieving an attractive and youthful  appearance.  Easy, effective and safe!  The desired lightening normally takes between 2 to 6 weeks and can last 3 years or  more.  Is tooth whitening suitable for me?  You will need an initial assessment possibly including xrays. We normally only lighten  teeth in the smile zone (ie teeth which are visible when you smile). The tooth  whitening gel will only lighten natural teeth. White fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges  etc will not lighten. Brownish or yellowish discolouration due to age, tobacco staining,  staining from foodstuffs and drinks responds best to the whitening gel. The active  ingredient penetrates into the teeth and breaks down the molecules that are causing  the discolouration.  What is in the whitening gel? In the vast majority of cases we use 10% carbamide peroxide gel. It is strong enough to lighten the teeth effectively and is safe. It does not weaken or damage the teeth. Are there any side effects? About half of patients experience sensitivity to hot or cold while their teeth are lightened. Within a few days this disappears. If you find your teeth are sensitive use the gel one day then have one day off (ie use it on alternate days). Sensodyne toothpaste worn in the trays for 30 mins before whitening can also be effective. What does the procedure involve? At the first appointment impressions are taken of your teeth and plastic trays are specially made for you. We make a note of the shade of your teeth and take some photographs. At the second appointment we check the fit of the trays and show you how to use the gel. Most patients wear the trays at night or for 2 hours during the day. After a week we ask you to come back in just to see how things are going. Treatment normally lasts 2-6 weeks. You may find that your teeth lighten sooner. How long does the effect last? For the majority of patients the effects last 2-3 years. After that the teeth can return to the pre- whitening shade. It is possible to re-lighten them using the same method and often using the same trays. The teeth lighten more quickly the following time.