Few questions about cosmetic dentistry

Hill_Bicks

I was just joking about the punch in the face, sorry if I was unclear. All that would happen is they'd miss and I'd be searching for rhinoplasty!

Well I've found a bargain whitening service just down the road from me called smilequest ( http://www.smile-quest.com/consumer.asp ). Usually £300, they are doing lazer whitening as a promotion for £99. I spoke to a lady there who seemed familiar with the idea of whitening there and doing the rest at the dentist. She said I'd need to go for a scale and polish at my dentist first.

So my next steps are to find out about their system, and also check how long the offer runs for. Hopefully I can do this because it's a great saving.

Cheers, Ian

Hill_Bicks

Hi alimac23, sorry, I keep missing posts.. Cheers for the useful info I'll look into that further.

Toothsmith

Hill_Bicks wrote: »

Well I've found a bargain whitening service just down the road from me called smilequest ( http://www.smile-quest.com/consumer.asp ). Usually £300, they are doing lazer whitening as a promotion for £99. I spoke to a lady there who seemed familiar with the idea of whitening there and doing the rest at the dentist. She said I'd need to go for a scale and polish at my dentist first.

So my next steps are to find out about their system, and also check how long the offer runs for.

I'm afraid that's an illegal whitening service, and the reason it's on offer is probably because they're trying to get rid of their stock before they're closed down!

There has been quite an explosion in beauticians being sold all sorts of inappropriate whitening stuff, and also doing a fair bit of damage up and down the country. They are illegal, as doing stuff in the mouth is 'the practise of dentistry' and that may only be done by qualified dentists.

These boutiques are gradually being closed down by the GDC working with trading standards.

I wouldn't trust your teeth to someone who has just done a weekend course (at the most) on tooth whitening. And I doubley wouldn't trust a company that can't spell laser!!

Hill_Bicks

Well that certainly puts a spin on things Toothsmith! I can see why though, with the high health risks involved there needs to be standards to adhere to.

Phew, complex process this cosmetic dentistry, but as you know the research has to be done..

Toothsmith

There's quite a good thread on tooth whitening here

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=164595

It's had a few threads all merged together, so it's pretty long. I would just read the last 5 or 6 pages.

Toothsmith

Update on Smilequest

Having emailed these people, I get the impression they understand that only dentists can whiten teeth. I'm not sure if the nature of my questions made them suspicious though. (I didn't say I was a dentist).

If the place near you IS a dental practice offering this whitening then it would be OK. If it's a beauty therapist/hairdresser type place, and you are at all uncertain about the qualifications of the person offering it, then you can report it directly to the GDC at [EMAIL="illegalpractice@gdc-uk.org"]illegalpractice@gdc-uk.org[/EMAIL]

Hill_Bicks

Cheers for the link Toothsmith,

Ideally I'll save more money and get it all done in one place to keep things simple. My teeth have been discoloured for ages so a couple more months wouldn't do any harm. I really want a good proffessional job so it's worth the wait.