Teeth whitening is one of the most common aesthetic treatments in dental practices. It gives fast and visible results, but the effect of teeth whitening is never the same for all patients. What does it depend on, which methods give the best results and is there a method that provides a guaranteed white smile?

What does the effect of teeth whitening depend on?

Many factors influence the final result - from the natural colour of the teeth, the individual tooth structure, to the age of the patient and lifestyle. 

"Of great importance is the thickness of the dentin and enamel - explains dentist Kamila Szuberska. - "The thicker and more mineralised, the easier it is to achieve an even brightening. In people with thin enamel, the teeth whitening effect may be more subtle, as the natural colour of the dentin will shine through."

The age of the patient also makes a difference. In younger people, whitening often produces a fast and intense result, because the teeth have not yet had time to dull and yellow as the years pass. In patients in their forties, the process is slower and the effect less spectacular, although still noticeable.

Lifestyle must not be forgotten - A diet rich in coffee, tea, red wine or cigarettes quickly weakens the effect of tooth whitening. Even the best-performed treatment will not last long if the patient treats their teeth with strong stains on a daily basis.

"Dentistry is constantly evolving and today, in most cases, professional whitening makes it possible to lighten teeth by several shades which significantly improves the aesthetics of the smile," reassures the dentist.

And is there a method that offers a guarantee?

Patients often ask if there is a method that will guarantee a white smile for years. The truth is that no method gives a hundred percent guarantee. We can talk about high effectiveness and long-lasting effect of teeth whitening, but its maintenance will always depend also on oral hygiene and diet.

"Even the best whitening has to be treated as the beginning and not the end of the process. Regular check-ups, hygienization and healthy habits are key to making the effect last as long as possible." - adds dentist Kamila Szuberska.

However, there are methods that are much more effective than the others.

What are the effects of different whitening methods?

In-office whitening, performed using a lamp or trays with stronger preparations, gives a spectacular and predictable teeth whitening effect. It is usually several shades up in one or two visits. You can read more about this in the article "Teeth whitening with an LED lamp - what does it involve and how much does it cost?".

Another method is the overlay method. You have to wait longer for the effect, but it is just as satisfying. At the dentist's office, you will be given overlays and a gel that are tailored to your teeth. This is of a much higher concentration than that available from the pharmacy. Over-the-counter preparations can only lighten your teeth to a small extent, often for a short period of time. We wrote more about this method in the text "Overlay teeth whitening at home".

Against all methods, the Enlighten system stands out. As many as 98% patients who have opted for it achieve teeth whitening up to level B1 on the Vita colour scale - that is, the lightest natural shade of teeth. What's more, the teeth whitening effect lasts for years and, with proper hygiene and limiting staining products, even for life. You can read about this method in the article "Enlighten teeth whitening - a snow-white smile in 2 weeks".

How long does the effect last?

The duration of the effect is highly individual. In some patients it lasts for a year, in others for several years or even longer. 

Much depends on the factors mentioned earlier, i.e. dentin colour enamel thickness or age. Daily care and limiting products that stain the enamel are also crucial. Regular visits to the hygienist can prolong the result and keep the teeth in good condition.

Teeth whitening offer in our clinic

At our Birmingham clinic, you can benefit from professional in-office teeth whitening, including the Enlighten system and overlay whitening. These are effective and safe ways to make your smile visibly brighter. 

Prices range from £250 to £550 - if you're worried about the cost - rest assured! You can take advantage of the instalment scheme at our practice. Importantly, the first 12 months are zero interest, thus you will pay less than £46 per month for the most expensive option.

If you want to learn more we recommend our text "Teeth on credit: dental treatment on hire purchase".

IMPORTANT! The system is 100% safe and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA number 619628), the government's financial regulator.