Application Time: One Appointment (Approximately 1 hour)

Results: Instant

Time Results Last: up to 3 years

Professional treatment may not be the cheapest option, but it is the most effective method for whitening teeth available. Treatment begins with a thorough assessment by your chosen Creative Smiles dentist who will conveniently conduct the whole teeth whitening procedure in the comfort of our Melbourne Clinic.

In chair treatment uses a much higher concentration of whitening chemicals in comparison to kits available over the counter or on the internet. Creative Smiles will evenly apply the whitening agent to the exposed teeth ensuring a consistent finish. In addition your gums and lips will be protected using special rubbers to restrict the bleach from coming in contact and effecting sensitive areas. This provides the most optimal, instantaneous results which are still safe on your beautiful smile.

• The whitening product Creative Smiles uses is Phillips Zoom! gel which comes in contact with your teeth for up to an hour
• Phillips Zoom! WhiteSpeed ultraviolet light is used in conjunction with the gel to further activate the whitening agent.

Once treatment is complete, the gel will be removed and a fluoride based gel will be applied to reduce the common side effect of tooth sensitivity. A Creative Smiles professional will be nearby during the entire procedure.

Application Time: Up to 1 hour per day

Results: Up to 2 weeks

Time Results Last: 3-12 months

Creative Smiles can issue a professional take-home whitening kit where you apply the advanced Zoom! whitening gel on your teeth in the comfort of your home. A great option with many benefits of professional teeth whitening.

This kit can be used for:

1. Touch-up after initial in-chair procedure at clinic (to achieve desired colour or prevent fading)
2. Standalone treatment to whiten teeth

First, Creative Smiles will take an impression of your teeth using a special mould to produce a tray which perfectly fits your mouth. These take home trays are much safer than over the counter/ internet trays because they are professionally designed and custom-fitted for your mouth. Meaning they are more effective at protecting the sensitive areas of your mouth from the bleaching agent in the whitening gel.

Creative Smiles will educate you on how to use the trays properly so you can control the shade of your smile by administering a Zoom! teeth whitening treatment on yourself. Zoom! DayWhite and NiteWhite take home systems are the only home whitening methods which contain Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACP) which helps reduce sensitivity for a more comfortable treatment.

The whitening gel is applied directly to the tray which covers your mouth during placement, whitening the surface of your teeth. You can wear it for at least 15 minutes up to overnight depending on the results you desire. Creative Smiles provides all necessary instructions to use the product safely so you don't need to worry.

Application Time: 30-60 minutes per day

Results: 1-2 weeks

Time Results Last: 3-12 months

If you're planning on purchasing an over the counter/ online teeth whitening kit, we advise that you consult Creative Smiles to ensure the whitening product is safe to use on your teeth. That way you avoid wasting time, money and effort on a product that may not work or harm your oral health.

Similar to whitening strips, over the counter whitening products use either a peroxide or sodium chloride bleaching agent. This agent is usually administered by a gel placed onto a tray fitted into your mouth. These trays are generic designs, or moulded by dipping the contents into boiling water, then biting down onto the rubber whilst it is soft. Both tray designs are an inadequate solution for properly protecting your gums and lips from the sensitive bleach, however boil and bite trays are more effective than generic trays. Professional take-home kits are much safer and produce more reliable results.

Whitening chemicals can irritate and often damage sensitive live tissue if it comes in contact with the area for too long. Thus it is important to use the correct amount of bleach, for the correct amount of time, using a reputable Australia/US supplier. It may be tempting to purchase a cheaper product, but it's important to avoid poor hygiene and quality control regulations from overseas suppliers. With all these factors taken into consideration, you must be prepared for the increased tooth sensitivity following an over the counter/online (non professional) whitening treatment.

Application Time: 2-5 minutes per day

Results: 3-4 weeks

Time Results Last: As long as treatment continues

Teeth whitening toothpastes are available at most supermarkets and pharmacies. Most of the products will use some sort of abrasive agent added to the toothpaste to remove stains, but some use other ingredients. Whitening toothpastes tend to remove superficial stains and will not chance the intrinsic discoloration of your teeth.

Creative Smiles can provide teeth whitening toothpastes alongside expert advice to ensure you are brushing your teeth appropriately.

Here are some types of teeth whitening toothpastes.

• Abrasive - added agents such as alumina, silica/hydrated silica, dicalcium phosphate)
  • Remove surface stains by physically rubbing and polishing the surface of the teeth
  • Consult Creative Smiles to ensure the level of abrasives is safe
• Detergents - sodium lauryl sulphate
  • Acts as a foaming agent to clean the tooth surface
• Triclosa - antibacterial agent
  • Reduces plaque levels and fight tooth decay
  • Anti-inflammatory agent to reduce progression of gum disease
• Enzymes - papain (derived from papaya)
  • Slows down the build up of 'pellicle'
  • Surface stains stick to pellicle layer (builds up when you start brushing your teeth)
• Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) - prevents stains from accumulating

There are many more types that prevent the ability of stains to stick to your teeth. Contact Creative Smiles to find out more!

Application Time: 30 minutes per day

Results: 2 weeks

Time Results Last: As long as treatment continues

Teeth whitening strips are made from a flexible plastic substance coated in a thin layer of whitening gel. The gel contains either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. When you apply the strips, the gel is pressed against the surface to penetrate the tooth and begin it's whitening process. This is a low-cost route to whitening your smile however there are many significant issues.

For starters, the strips struggle to fit in between the curves of each tooth, causing uneven application of the whitening gel. With careful placement over repeated treatments you are lucky to ensure you won't leave the same spots uncovered during application. At best you will achieve uneven results, at worst you will have random yellow edges throughout your teeth.

Secondly, the bleaching agent used within teeth whitening strips can be a harsh chemical on soft live tissue such as your gums and lips. It may be difficult to apply the whitening strip to cover your teeth completely without touching sensitive areas. Furthermore, if the bleach enters a cavity it can cause extreme pain and discomfort. Although strips are safe to use in moderation, overuse can also cause permanent damage to your teeth by removing the valuable enamel layer. This may not cause pain, but it increases the risk of tooth decay and other problems.

You must ensure your teeth are in good condition with no cavities or gum disease before performing treatment yourself. Contact Creative Smiles to understand how to whiten your teeth safely.

Teeth whitening mouthwash typically contains active ingredients which are present in whitening gels. Chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide are a common bleaching agent found in many professional teeth whitening systems. If used incorrectly, the bleaching agent can cause damage to sensitive oral tissues if appropriate protective equipment is not used. Furthermore, for the bleaching agent to work the chemical typically needs to be in contact with your teeth for a period of time to penetrate stains.

Mouthwash is less likely to achieve optimal results since the bleaching agent will be in contact with your teeth for a relatively short time. Results can take up to 12 weeks or more of regular whitening mouthwash. This method is not recommended since it can potentially damage sensitive live tissue and inadequately whiten teeth.