Elmsleigh Hub

Mrs W was not happy with the colour of her upper front teeth, so she booked in to see her dentist Cathleen Perrin to determine her options.

Cathleen performed some tests to assess the reason for the discolouration, including an x-ray of the roots of the affected teeth; often discolouration is caused by trauma or something causing nerve damage to the tooth. However, Mrs W’s teeth were found to be healthy and the reason for the discolouration uncertain.

Cathleen discussed the risks of treatment, but proposed that non-invasive tooth whitening would be the best way forward as Mrs W wanted an improvement, rather than no treatment. This would lighten the discoloured front teeth, and she would carefully monitor the results.

Cathleen took impressions of Mrs W’s teeth, and whitening trays were made to fit her teeth precisely. Mrs W was shown how to apply carbamide peroxide whitening gel to the trays and fit them securely in place.

Mrs W took home her trays and sufficient whitening gel to wear the trays for two to fours hours each day (or overnight), until she achieved a brighter shade in around 3 weeks.

Mrs W returned to see Cathleen to monitor the whitening, and although the front teeth were getting lighter Cathleen suggested she continue to whiten for another two weeks, focussing on applying the whitening gel to the affected teeth.

At her second review appointment Mrs W was happy with the result so far, so she could continue to whiten, being mindful of sensitivity to the cold. She was asked to stop whitening when happy with the result and to return two weeks later for some cosmetic bonding.

Cathleen used hard-wearing composite bonding material to edge bond some of Mrs W’s teeth where worn. She was also able to cosmetically trim and contour the other teeth to obtain a better symmetry to her smile.

Mrs W was delighted with the result, and continues to see Cathleen for dental check-ups and Gill for dental hygiene. She has her whitening trays and can purchase tubes of whitening gel to top up the whitening when she wants to brighten her shade.

“I’m really pleased with the results and thank Cathleen Perrin for brightening my smile!” Mrs W.

Click to read our Cosmetic dentistry brochure, which outlines some options to improve your teeth and smile.

OUR TEETH WHITENING PROCESS

Teeth whitening usually takes three short visits to Elmsleigh House to tailor the teeth whitening process to suit you:

• Fast-setting dental material is used to take impressions of your teeth, which are used to make custom-made, high-quality mouth trays that fit you precisely.
• You will return to collect your mouth trays and be shown how to apply the whitening gel to the trays and fit them in place. You will need to apply the whitening gel to your mouth trays and wear them for around two to four hours each day, or overnight if you prefer, until you have achieved your desired shade; this usually takes two to three weeks.
• After this time, your dentist will review the result, determine if you need any further treatment, and take a final photograph.
  
  Stains can reappear on your teeth over time, especially if you smoke or drink tea, coffee or red wine; you simply purchase extra tubes of whitening gel at Elmsleigh House to ‘top up’ the treatment for a few days until your brighter teeth are restored.