Our goal is to make certain you have all your questions answered. Below you will find the most common questions asked over the years. If you don’t find what your looking for… contact us!!
1) Is bleaching safe or does it damage the tooth?
To our knowledge nothing detrimental has been documented and microscopic research shows no changes to the tooth surface with use of 10% bleaching solution. Most research available was initially done with a 10% concentration. There is no literature that we have come across showing any structural changes or irreversible damage to the tooth structure whatsoever.
2)What are the side effects of tooth whitening?
All bleaching gel causes some degree of tooth sensitivity. This is sensitivity to cold/hot fluids and even air can cause discomfort. This is normal and an expected side effect. Some of the brands of bleaching gel contain desensitizing agents which claim to alleviate post bleaching sensitivity. From customer feedback, this doesn’t seem to be noticeably effective. All bleaching causes tooth sensitivity and we recommend to either discontinue use for a few days and the sensitivity will dissipate within 24-48 hrs. Don’t be concerned as bleaching does not need to be done consecutively. You will get to the same whitening point, it will just take a little longer.
3). How long will it take for teeth to become their whitest?
Results vary. Some teeth whiten dramatically in just a few days, while others can take a few months. The majority of people whiten within 2-3 weeks. The more yellow versus gray color you have in your teeth, the better the bleaching. Grey enamel similar to that of Tetracycline (antibiotic) staining is more difficult to bleach and can take a few months to achieve a result.
4) How long the whitening will results last?
Generally, immediately after bleaching, the color will fade slightly and then remain stable for approx. 6 months to a year, sometimes longer. It is recommended for maintenance to touch up your smile every 4-6 months with 1-2 applications.
5) What do the different bleaching percentages mean?
The percentages (%’s) prefer to the concentration of bleaching agent. It is generally accepted that the higher the % of bleaching agent, the stronger the bleach and the more effective it is at bleaching. There is however, no objective research to substantiate it. One of the main advantages of the higher % is reduced wearing time. 10 – 16% can be worn for a few hours, where as a 20-22% bleach should only be used for 1 hour per application. You should follow the manufacturers instructions – however it is ‘our’ opinion that you do not need to wear a whitening tray over night.
6) What is the shelf life and wearing time of bleaching gel?
Generally the shelf life of most bleaching gel is approx. 2 yrs if refrigerated and 1 yr un-refrigerated. Un-refrigerated bleach should be stored in a dry cool environment. The wearing time is based on the strength of bleaching gel.
• 10% -16% can be used for minutes to a maximum of 2 hours if no sensitivity
• 20- 22% – 1 hr / application)
7)Why it is not recommended to bleach your teeth while pregnant or nursing?
No research has been done into bleaching teeth while nursing or pregnant, so manufacturers for liability reasons recommend NOT to bleach while pregnant or nursing.
6)Will bleaching gel whiten my veneers, caps (crowns) and bonding?
All bleaching agents used to whiten teeth will only work on natural tooth structure. This means that all dental work including but not limited to bonding, veneers, crowns (caps) and bridges will NOT bleach or whiten. All dental work would need to be replaced to match the newly whitened teeth.
8). What brand of bleaching system/gel does Revibia Ltd recommend?
There is no objective research at the present time comparing the different tooth whitening systems or the effectiveness of various bleaching gels currently available. They all work, some bleaching gels just gets you there quicker. They will all eventually get you to the same bleaching plateau (maximum whitening). Results vary, some teeth whiten very well as others show minimal changes no matter what product is used. We recommend to stay with a brand or strength that has worked for you and to maybe try another brand or strength if you are unhappy with your current bleaching results. Ultimately the choice of bleach agent is really a personal one.
9)What is the difference between carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel?
There are 2 main bleaching ingredients. Carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. Comparatively, a 7.5% hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to a 16% carbamide peroxide while a 9.5% hydrogen peroxide is equivalent to a 26% carbamide peroxide. Carbamide peroxide actually breaks down into hydrogen peroxide.
10)How many bleaching syringes do I need to buy in order to whiten my teeth?
As brands of syringes vary in the amount of bleaching gel, it is easier to quantify by using the ml’s or cc’s (same thing) and NOT the number of syringes. It is generally accepted that each treatment requires approx 0.5 ml’s (cc’s) of bleaching gel per application.
The average person with yellow teeth will therefore needs about 10-15ml’s (cc’s). Keep in mind that you may need to do touch-up’s at a later date to maintain the whitening. Grayish colored teeth are more difficult to whiten and will require additional bleaching gel. Importantly only a small droplet needs to be placed on the inside surface of the outer wall of your custom made whitening tray opposite each of the front 8 teeth. It is not necessary to whiten the teeth towards the back of your mouth as these teeth are not usually visible when you smile.
11)How long I should refrain from coffee and red wine after bleaching?
It is recommended to avoid such during whitening and for 1 week after tooth bleaching. Revibia Ltd however recommends not changing your lifestyle. If you feel that your teeth have yellowed over time, it is okay to do touch-up bleaching 1-2 applications every 4-6 months as needed.
12)Will teeth whiten to the same degree on everyone?
No…Results vary. Some teeth whiten dramatically in just a few days, while others may take weeks to months to show a difference, if any. The more yellow versus gray color you have in your teeth, the better the bleaching result. Grey enamel similar to that of Tetracycline (antibiotic) staining is more difficult to bleach. Some normal teeth will achieve only minor whitening improvement no matter what product you use. Results cannot be guaranteed.
13)The area of the teeth near the gums is still not as white as the rest of the tooth?
Make sure that the bleach covers the entire surface of the tooth and not just the bottom half. The average tooth will usually have a seamless whitening transition from whiter at the bottom of the tooth (biting surface) to less white towards the gum line. This is normal and an expected result. This is due to thinner enamel in this area allowing more show through of the tooth color. Very few cases have total uniform whiteness. With grayish teeth, the transition is occasionally somewhat more noticeable. One might see a demarcation area / line between the 2 areas. Keep in mind that whitening fades and the tooth will in most instances gradually blend. In some cases that are extremely resistant to bleaching, one might consider bonding or veneers as an alternative treatment.
14) I just started bleaching and it looks uneven with white spots. Should I continue bleaching or stop?
It is also normal that certain areas of the tooth such as areas of decalcification will respond more rapidly to bleaching resulting in blotchiness at first while the rest of the tooth catches up as one continues to bleach. The blotchiness is the first to fade after stopping resulting in a more uniform appearance.
15)How long do you recommend using the bleaching gel?
The choice when to stop bleaching is really a personal one. Stop when you are pleased with the results. Teeth will gradually get whiter and within either a few days or 2 weeks in most cases reach a plateau where they will not get any whiter. This is the maximum amount of whitening you will reach and at that point do not bleach any further. It is normal for it to fade slightly and then stabilize after you have discontinued. Revibia Ltd does not recommend bleaching beyond 2-4 weeks. Most teeth whiten well within the first week of use.
