What exactly is tooth whitening?

Tooth whitening refers to a variety of processes that aim to make someone’s natural teeth appear brighter and whiter by removing residue that has become embedded in the porous part of the tooth (the enamel) over the years. This residue comes from the foods and drinks we consume, such as tea and coffee, but also through smoking.  

Removing this residue will brighten up your smile again. Several products on the market, such as Carbamide Peroxide or Hydrogen Peroxide for example can be used to whiten your teeth but let’s take a closer look at the different treatment methods available to us today.

What tooth whitening treatment should I choose?

There are currently four types of teeth whitening treatments available. Your dentist or dental hygienist will advise you on what treatment is best suited to your specific needs. This will depend on the overall condition of your teeth and dental sensitivity.

Express whitening

Express whitening is the simplest and fastest method available, and it is best suited for cases where teeth have just superficial discolouration. The procedure is carried out on-site, at a dental clinic and takes only about 15 minutes. Your smile will soon be brightening up again.

For best results, we recommend that you combine this treatment with a tartar and plaque removal session with your dental hygienist. To ensure a bright smile over time, we advise you to book an express whitening every 3 months and couple it with an at-home whitening.

In-clinic whitening

This type of treatment will take place in the clinic (as you have probably already guessed) and aims to remove superficial discolouration. The whitening session will last between 1h15 and 1h30 during which a highly concentrated product is applied to the enamel of your teeth. An ideal treatment if you are looking for fast results. For a lasting shine, we advise you to undergo this treatment every 9 months ans combine it with an at-home whitening.

At-home whitening

Is it possible then to whiten your teeth at home? Yes absolutely. The procedure involves:

• Making a digital impression of your teeth.
• Creating a mouthpiece adapted for your dentition. 
• The mouthpiece is then worn one hour a day, or only at night, for a period of 3 to 15 days. You can repeat this treatment yearly after your annual dental cleaning, with touch-up syringes for a period of 1 to 3 days.

Overall, it’s a very easy procedure.

Premium whitening

This is the Holy Grail of teeth whitening. It’s simply a combination of in-clinic and at-home tooth whitening. The advantages drawn from this method are that you benefit from both two types of treatment at the same time. The results are compelling – very light-coloured teeth and very long-lasting too.

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But are there any risks with teeth whitening?

Teeth whitening does not present any real risk as long as you consult a professional dentist. He or she will adapt the treatment methods to your teeth and use proven and tested products.

We do sometimes recommend the use of whitening toothpaste to remove discolouration from teeth, but not however on a regular basis. The reason why is that whitening toothpastes contain abrasive materials that can strip the surface of the teeth and this can lead to gum irritation and bleeding.

We do not recommend either using whitening products available over the counter or on the internet. The product concentration is usually not sufficient to work properly thus rendering the product simply ineffective and therefore useless.

It is also important to note that tooth whitening treatments are not recommended for pregnant women and also for greyed teeth or teeth that have had root treatment. If this is the case, in-clinic whitening is the option that will be recommended to you by one of our specialists.

How much does teeth whitening cost?

Prices will differ depending on the chosen treatment method. Our clinics are fully committed to making sure you receive the best possible dental care. You will receive detailed expert advice from a Dentist, Hygienist or expert in Aesthetic and Adhesive Dentistry to choose the best possible treatment method tailored to your situation.

Here are the price details for all of our clinics:

• Express whitening:                                                                           CHF 79.-
• At-home whitening:                                                                         CHF 569.-
• In-clinic whitening:                                                                          CHF 499.-
• Premium whitening (in-clinic + at-home mouthpiece):            CHF 799.-

You have learned a lot today about tooth whitening! Remember, if you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to call one of our dental clinics directly for further information.

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