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Teeth Whitening: Are You a Good Candidate? Find Out Now

Teeth whitening is a popular cosmetic procedure that can enhance your smile and boost your confidence. However, not everyone may be a good candidate for this treatment. This guide will help you determine if you’re a suitable candidate, outline what to consider before starting treatment, and explain how whitening can fit into a broader cosmetic treatment plan.

At Silver Oaks Dental Clinic, we specialise in cosmetic dentistry, including professional whitening. Our experienced team uses advanced techniques to provide safe and effective results, ensuring you achieve the brightest smile possible.

Assessing if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening treatments at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic

Find out if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening

Understanding Teeth Whitening Treatments

Teeth bleaching involves using special agents to lighten the color of your teeth. There are various methods available, including in-office procedures and at-home kits. Each option has its benefits and considerations, and it’s essential to understand these before deciding which method is best for you.

In-Office Whitening

Choosing an in-office whitening treatment can provide you with several advantages:

  • Professional Supervision: Performed by dental professionals ensuring safety and effectiveness.
  • Stronger Agents: Utilises stronger bleaching agents for quicker, more noticeable results.
  • Immediate Results: Significant improvement in a single visit.

At-Home Whitening Kits

At-home whitening kits offer convenience and affordability. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Convenience: Can be done at home at your convenience.
  • Cost-Effective: Generally less expensive than in-office treatments.
  • Gradual Results: Achieve whitening over a period of weeks.

Key Factors to Determine Candidacy 

Several factors influence whether you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening. Here’s what you need to consider before starting treatment.

  • Dental Health: Healthy gums and teeth are essential, as candidates should have no active cavities or gum disease.
  • Types of Discolouration: Extrinsic stains respond well to whitening, while intrinsic stains may require more intensive treatment.

Integrating Teeth Whitening into Your Cosmetic Plan

If you’re considering other cosmetic dental treatments, plan your whitening accordingly. Whitening should be done first to ensure any subsequent treatments match your new shade.

  • Cosmetic Bonding and Veneers: Match shades with any new dental work.
  • Orthodontic Treatments: Consider whitening after removing braces or aligners.

Teeth Whitening Techniques at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic

At Silver Oaks Dental Clinic, we use a technique Dr. Huson discovered in London’s Harley Street district. This consists of a two-stage “laser” procedure, commonly called “Deep Bleaching.”

  • Initial Consultation: Impressions of your teeth are taken, and a cleaning is advised.
  • Bleaching Trays: Fitted trays with UK-imported gels worn for 14 nights.
  • Laser Whitening: The final step to ensure lasting brightness.

We have been using this technique for over 15 years with great success, often resulting in teeth that are 4-5 shades whiter.

Conclusion

Teeth whitening is an effective way to enhance your smile and boost your confidence. However, it’s essential to determine if you’re a good candidate and to choose the right treatment plan tailored to your needs. At Silver Oaks Dental Clinic, our experienced team is here to guide you through the process and ensure you achieve the best possible results.

If you’re considering teeth whitening and want to learn more about your options, contact us today for a professional consultation. Let us help you achieve the bright, beautiful smile you desire.

FAQs About Teeth Whitening Eligibility

Q: Can anyone get their teeth whitened?
A: Most people can, but it’s essential to consult with a dentist to ensure you’re a suitable candidate.

Q: How long does teeth whitening last?
A: Results can last from several months to a few years, depending on your oral care habits.

Q: Is teeth whitening safe for sensitive teeth?
A: It can be, but it’s important to use products designed for sensitive teeth or consult a dentist for professional advice.

Q: Can teeth whitening remove all types of stains?
A: It’s most effective on extrinsic stains; intrinsic stains may require additional treatments.

Q: How often can I whiten my teeth?
A: It’s recommended to wait at least six months between whitening treatments to avoid damage to your teeth and gums.

What is Injection Moulding?

The injection moulding technique (IMT) involves injecting a low-viscosity resin composite in a pressurized, transparent silicone index made from a diagnostic wax-up, aiming to replicate an already performed mock-up and an approved tooth form arrangement.

Resin is natural-looking, long-lasting, and very affordable compared to other tooth-coloured materials. Since very little or no tooth structure is reduced, resin procedures are very conservative, but often the dentist must rely on freehand build-ups to get to the final shape.

The shape and form of your teeth are almost more important than the shade. Even with the perfect shade match, if the shape and form are not 100% correct, symmetry and harmony will be lacking.

Getting the shape wrong especially if exact symmetry is required for aesthetic makeovers on front teeth, relying on a free-hand technique is not always the best option. With RiT we first do a 2D design (Digital Smile Design), then a 3D design, and finally we can now transfer this 3D design to a mock-up in the mouth. This allows for almost exact copying and makes these cases more predictable than freehand.

 

(Mockup Image of Injection moulding)

 

How does this work?

With RiT we first do a 2D design (Digital Smile Design) where we make use of the latest design software to create the perfect smile design for your face and smile.  Most often teeth need to be made longer to give a more youthful appearance.

 

If the 2D design is approved by the patient, we then transfer this to a 3D design to 3D print the new teeth.

The 3D-printed teeth represent the new smile, and this now needs to be transferred to the patient’s mouth to do a mock-up of the new smile.

This silicon stent was then fitted in the patient’s mouth and the volume difference now represents the additive part or new shape that was planned in the 2D stage. This allows for almost exact copying of the 3D printed models and makes these cases more predictable than freehand.

Smile makeovers with Injection Moulding

With the Resin Injection Technique, we can now help patients add length, change the shape or align their teeth to the planned and newly designed smile.

One good application is treating traditional tooth wear due to grinding, erosion or trauma to reverse such wear and replace the lost enamel with the latest flowable resins. Most patients need some form of tooth lengthening to reverse the effects of tooth wear and add years back to their smile.

 

  • Before Picture

  • After Picture of Injection Moulding

(Before and After photos of one of our patients that did Injection Moulding treatment at Silver Oaks Dental Clinic procedure done by Dr. Craig Inch.)

 

 Is this cost-effective?

Injection moulding is much more cost-effective than doing porcelain veneers. The duration for the veneers is much longer than Injection moulding and the veneers are much stronger than the resin. The result is very similar to veneers. But like everything, nothing lasts forever.

But we have invented a treatment to fit our patient’s needs who are working within a strict budget an alternative and un-invasive treatment to accommodate everyone that is running after that Hollywood smile. Unfortunately, Medical aids do not cover any cosmetic dentistry.

Can anyone get composite veneers?

Composite veneers are more focused on the cosmetic side of dentistry. Any patient who is unhappy with the look of their teeth is considered a candidate for Composite veneers. This treatment is not recommended for children under the age of 16 because they are still developing and growing.

How does this change your appearance?

This treatment is life-changing. And has brought so many smiles to our patients. We have testimonials on our website for your convenience to hear from the patients themselves who had this treatment done and how it has changed their lives.

What is the duration of composite bonding?

So, let’s be honest, nothing lasts forever but everything can have a long duration if taken care of correctly. If you don’t run into any issues with biting hard foods or having any accidents, composite bonding can last anywhere between four to eight years. How long the composite lasts depends on various factors, such as the location of the tooth, the extent of tooth damage, eating habits, and oral hygiene status.

Is this an invasive treatment?

This treatment is the most noninvasive of all. And mainly for esthetic purposes. There are not any existing tooth structures that get cut or damaged in the process.  It is safe and can be reversed at any time or replaced.

 

 

 

Laser Dentistry

Dentistry is constantly evolving to better suit the Digital Era. These advancements make procedures simpler for the dentist but also benefits patients in many ways. One of the latest additions to the digital dental world is the newly developed LiteTouch Laser Machine. This newly developed device takes laser dentistry to a whole new level.

What is Laser Dentistry?

Laser dentistry is the use of lasers to treat various dental issues. Some of which include:

  • Gummy smile’s- the laser can assist with the removal of extra gum tissue that covers too much of tooth structure.
  • The laser is also capable of removing infections and treating cold sores. It can also minimize the healing time and reduce pain.
  • It assists in correcting gum pigmentation.
  • It can remove cosmetic work (veneers, crowns, etc) without damaging it.

How does this benefit you?

  • You will spend lesser time on the dental chair.
  • It makes procedures as simple and painless as possible.
  • There are no scary sounds or vibrations when drilling.
  • It is minimally invasive and extremely precise which means more preservation of healthy gums, tissue & tooth structure.

Capabilities of the LiteTouch Laser:

  • One of its main functions is to assist dentists in quickly removing existing damaged dental prosthetics (old crowns, bridges, veneers etc) in the most minimally invasive way possible.
  • This machine can also assist the dentist in gently removing infected oral tissue- while keeping the healthy surrounding and underlying tissue intact. This means less drilling and more preservation of healthy tissue.
  • The LiteTouch also has an effective bactericidal effect that disinfects the treated and surrounding tissue which assists with a faster recovery.

This incredible machine has recently become a part of our ever-growing digital dental collection at Silver Oaks. We are the first practice in SA to own and make use of this magnificent device. Dr Huson is the key opinion leader for this device in South Africa and we are proud to say that it has proven to be extremely effective during all our procedures.

Traditional Braces vs Clear Aligners

People often get confused when choosing between traditional braces and aligners. As much as this can be a personal choice- it can also be case dependent. Here are a few Pro’s and Con’s you should be aware of when choosing between the two.

Traditional Braces

– Pros

  • Can correct any misalignment.
  • It can’t be removed therefore you can’t neglect its usage.

– Cons

  • Uncomfortable/painful.
  • Food/Drink restrictions.
  • Regular dental visits.
  • Difficult to clean.

Clear Aligners

– Pros

  • Your final results are predicted prior to the treatment.
  • Less dentist check-ups.
  • They are almost Invisible.
  • Can be removed.
  • Can be easily cleaned and you can maintain optimal oral care.
  • Pain subsides shortly after fitting every new step.
  • Comfortable to use.
  • No food/drink restrictions- you can take them off and enjoy your meal!
  • It is very often much faster than metal braces when correcting cosmetic alignment of teeth (usually between 3 to 9 months)

– Cons

  • Not all cases are suitable. It cannot correct major overbites/underbites and excessive crowding.
  • It needs to be worn for at least 22 hours a day.
  • Having the freedom to remove it may lead you to not wearing it as often as you should.

Both Traditional Braces and Aligners are effective treatments when it comes to realigning your teeth. A proper assessment with a dentist is the best way to find out which is more suitable for you.

Check out our website to find out more about our Clear Aligners and Adult Orthodontics.

Cosmetic Dentistry Durban

What is Cosmetic Dentistry?

Cosmetic Dentistry at our offices in Durban offer the highest quality in Dentistry.

Cosmetic Dentistry refers to dental work that improves the appearance of teeth, gums and/or bite. We are never really born with perfect teeth and Cosmetic Dentistry enhances the look of our teeth. We have the latest technology and an in-house lab specifically designed to perfect your smile, improve your confidence and overall being.

cosmetic dentistry durban

Is Cosmetic Dentistry Worth It?

  • Cosmetic dentistry corrects aesthetic flaws – If you have stained, misshapen, small teeth, chips, cracks or high gum lines then this can be corrected with cosmetic dentistry
  • Cosmetic treatment can help you look younger – Research has shown that cosmetic treatment makes you look 10 years younger. Correcting the discoloration and erosion.
  • Cosmetic treatment can enhance your career and improve self confidence – Research has shown that when you are more confident you take on greater responsibility and leadership. You may also look happier hence greater motivation and dedication to your career.
  • Some procedures can help prevent future dental damage – Cosmetic treatments help strengthen teeth through bonding by covering up any fractures or erosion thereby protecting already compromised areas.
  • Dr Roy Richard Huson has over 20 years of experience specialising in Cosmetic Dentistry in the UK and working with celebrities in the UK. He worked under celebrity dentist Dr Joe Oliver. He has fixed several celebrity smiles all with great results.

At Silver Oaks Dental Clinic we are continually striving to learn more to give our patients the very best treatment we can. We are one of the few practices in South Africa that are technologically advanced and offer you Cosmetic Imaging via the computer. We can show you how your treatment could potentially look even before it is completed. This gives you time to go over possible changes with Dr Richard Huson before attempting to start your treatment and you will know exactly what you are getting. This leads to a successful, happy patient that smiles leaving this practice and getting the very best cosmetic dentistry treatment in Durban, South Africa. Dr Huson has been using Digital Smile Design (DSD) since it started around 10 years ago.

During April 2018 Dr Huson attended the Advanced Restorative Course hosted by Dr Mark Bowes of the Implant and Aesthetic Academy (IAA). The course focused on brand new digital technologies which are being used in dentistry today. It focussed on Biomimetic Dentistry which is the art of preserving teeth and surrounding tissue in such a way as to mimic nature while still creating ideal aesthetics. Dr Mark Bowes is world famous in Aesthetic and Complex Restorative Dentistry. Dr Bowes has pioneered the development of Digital Smile Design (DSD) in South Africa – this concept allows dentists to develop a smile which fits the individual patients’ Aesthetic and Functional needs whilst providing Minimally Invasive Dentistry. Dr Bowes is a Digital Smile Design World Master and an Instructor in South Africa, and one of only two on the African Continent. He lectures and teaches DSD both in South Africa and Internationally. Click here to read more about Dr Mark Bowes.