Power bleaching  is carried out in the dental chair, the teeth are cleaned and isolated with a plastic cover over the gums to protect them from the more powerful bleach that is used during home bleaching. Each tooth to be bleached is covered with the bleaching gel and exposed to a strong bleaching light. This may be done 3-4 times if necessary. Normally the process would take about one hour but we now have a new special light working at the peak wavelength.

Advantages: The process is normally instantaneous wilst some lightening continues over the next 24 hours. Our new BEYOND Bleaching Light can reduce the colour of teeth by 3-4 shades within 30 minutes

Disadvantages: This process is more expensive and may cause a little more sensitivity in a few patients

Home Bleaching

Impressions are taken of the mouth and  models  made, then very thin clear covers are constructed in which the bleach gel is placed. After cleaning the teeth the bleach is applied to the inside of the bleaching tray (cover) and left in for either one hour each day or over night depending on the patient's preference.

It normally takes about a week to ten days for the desired lightness to occur and this depends on the darkness and colour of the teeth at the start. Yellowish teeth bleach easier than grey teeth.

Advantages of this method are: Cheaper than Power bleach in surgery, causes less sensitivity and can  easily be "topped up" later on with minimal cost. Wearing the covers is easy and can be done watching television, at work or whilst exercising.

The disadvantage is that it is totally dependant upon the patient using the bleach each day.