Advice on Teeth Whitening Discussion Thread

ch0ccy

I have already phoned one other practice, which said I'd need to be one of their patients and book a consultation for them to check whitening suitability (even though I already have trays from my current dentist). Figured I'd try online but no luck I'll try a couple more practices tomorrow.

Are there any other brands worth considering? I came across a site selling various brands like Polanight (have come across good reviews for their products), Opalescence (if I remember correctly my dentist said this was the oldest brand for teeth whitening) and Britesmile. I currently use 16% CP Enlighten gel, would the same concentration by a different brand work too?

Toothsmith

Many of these gels are prescription only medicines.

Therefore any outlet offering them direct to the public is 'grey' at best.

I believe Ebay have clamped down on it?

You must be prepared to take the chance that it could easily be out of date stock (at best) or counterfeit goods which could harm your teeth. Storage of this gel is also quite crucial. Being kept in a box in a dodgey supplier's spare bedroom or lock-up is not going to enhance it's effectiveness!

ch0ccy

The site I found was https://www.happysmileuk.com, stocks a lot brands but don't have Enlighten. There's also https://www.polanight.co.uk which looks like their official site. Maybe buying from them would be better?

Is there any difference between the same concentration of CP gel made by different brands? Are the ingredients basically the same?

Toothsmith

Just thought it was worth posting this here as well..............


Following some of the discussions I have had on here with non-dentists who provide tooth whitening services, the following is significant.

LINK

The General Dental Council have succesfully prosectuted non-dentists carrying out tooth whitening under The Dentist Act.

Chief Executive and Registrar of the GDC, Evlynne Gilvarry said: “This case has significant implications for the dental profession and for public protection. The General Dental Council will now consider its position carefully with regards to the hundreds of other complaints about the illegal practice of dentistry that it has received. We are concerned about the risk to the public posed by such potentially hazardous treatment being provided by people without the training and qualifications necessary for registration as a dental professional.”

So, any beautician offering this service, it IS illegal.

Tooth whitening is dentistry, not a cosmetic proceedure like doing someone's nails. Beauticians who carry out tooth whitening can face fines of £6-7k - and that's if they plead guilty!

moneylover

I would love veneers to improve my prominent and uneven teeth but Toothsmith and others have done a good job in talking me out of it. I am 64 and what terrifies me is the thought of needing my next set of veneers when I am about 80 and maybe not quite as healthy and resilient as I am now.
However tooth whitening is a different story and I am lucky that I can pay for the better systems on the market.
I am almost convinced I will go for Enlighten (guaranteed result and little sensitivity) but recently I have read of thermal diffusion teeth whitening - it was used on a make over programme some while back
http://www.londoncosmeticdentistry.co.uk/treatments-thermal-diffuser-whitening.htm
however there may be the usual problem of fade back I suppose -although the clinic says very rarely is more than one treatment needed. I like the fact that there is little sensitivity as I am a complete wuss about this.
I presume, although I dont know, that he uses this or similar
http://www.wy10.com/product_ipower.html plus a strong bleach
Anyone have any information or experience please?? If I email the practice what questions could I ask?)

Also wanted to ask our resident helpful experts about cosmetic contouring (also offered on above website) - this seems to improve the shape of teeth - I suppose its very marginal but can it improve uneveness?

Toothsmith

Recontouring can make quite a difference, but it is a very small amount taken off, so I wouldn't like to recommend it or dismiss it in your case, as I haven't seen your teeth. You'll need to be advised by someone who can see you.

With veneers, I'd be a lot less worried about doing them for a 60 yr old that a 20 yr old, but again, it all depends on your specific mouth as to whether they'd be a good idea or not.

With whitening, I still use the same gel and tray system that I first used when it came on the market 20 yrs ago!

Why?

Because I find it predictable, reliable and I have never had any trouble with it.

Flashy 'power' systems whith their lights and lasers come and go. All of them promise the earth and require the operator to buy very expensive equipment. Then most of that equipment just ends up as a very expensive coat stand when the 'improved' version comes out that is supposed to solve all the problems that the last version had (The problems which nobody told you about when you invested in the system in the first place!)

Tray and gel probably isn't sexy anymore - but it works, and works very well. All the other systems only try and achieve the same result quicker. In terms of colour change achieved, and time that change lasts for - nothing can touch it.

moneylover

Thank you Toothsmith
2 points - re veneers, I would still need them redone in my late 70s or early 80s wouldnt I - and its that that worries me..... plus I think its academic anyway as I really need a brace again which I def do not want for all sorts of reasons. Anyway - are you allowed to tell us which tray system you use? Or do you consider that one is as good as another provided its custom made trays and you are treated by a dentist?
The reason I thought Enlighten would be good is that the trays give very litte sensitivity apparently.

Toothsmith

Veneers last, on average 8-10 years - so yes you will need them re-doing.

When, I don't know.

If you're fit, well and sprightly in your 70s and 80s, then it will be no more of a problem to you than it will be to have them done today.

If you're a fragile, delicate, bedridden old crone ( ) then will a stained bit of porcelain on your front tooth, or even a missing bit of porcelain, really be that much of a problem?

A tooth with a lost veneer is rarely a functional problem, only an aesthetic one.

The gel I use is good old Opalescence.

ch0ccy

Just been to see my dentist today, and discovered after 2 weeks of Enlighten home whitening my teeth are now B1 :T only thing is the bottom half of my teeth are slightly whiter and not totally even in shade, which I was told is because the enamel have different thicknesses. I therefore need to use another syringe, or more, if I wanted to try to whiten my teeth further.

Do I have to continue using Enlighten gels or can I switch to a different (and cheaper) brand?

I keep hearing that Enlighten gels are the best available and they guarantee results, but if all teeth whitening gels use the same ingredients, what makes Enlighten so much better than other brands?

brook2jack

If your dentist is doing the whitening they normally quote for as many syringes of gel as you need in price of treatment. If so why do you want to change gels?