Tooth Whitening
Lighten the natural colour of your teeth

You can browse a list of clinics that provide Teeth Whitening here on RevaHealth.com. If you need any help deciding which clinic to choose, just ask us for help.

Teeth Whitening is one of the easiest ways to improve the overall look of your smile. Once the preserve of movie stars, it is now both affordable and readily available, and there are quite a few options to choose from.

Modern teeth whitening methods are so effective, that almost anyone can get their teeth whitened to a significant degree of brightness, and many treatments can be completed in one visit to the dentist.

What is Tooth Whitening?

Tooth Whitening is the process used to improve the brightness of the teeth, which is achieved by removing as much staining as possible. The techniques used range from natural home remedies to chemical and laser teeth whitening methods performed by cosmetic dentists.

The constant build up of organic pigments on the teeth can cause them to discolour over a period of time. These protein pigments derive from the different kinds of food, drink, tobacco and even antibiotics people consume over the years, and cause the natural whiteness of their teeth to be gradually diminished.

The yellowing of the teeth is also a part of the ageing process, and is determined to some extent by genetic and dietary factors. Some people just have naturally brighter enamel than others.

What different types exist?

There are quite a few options available to choose from. Most artificial methods rely on some form of peroxide to remove stains and bleach your teeth white.

When peroxide compounds are used, oxygen is released and bleaches the pigmented substances present in the enamel the teeth. This method restores the natural colour of the teeth without corroding the surface enamel.

Teeth whitening procedures can be performed at a dentist’s office, or in the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the popular techniques.

Whitening Toothpastes

Whitening toothpastes contain certain mildly abrasive components which help scrub away the surface stains, and leave teeth looking cleaner and whiter. They don’t however have a bleaching action. Whitening toothpastes are generally not as effective as other methods of teeth whitening.

Whitening Strips

Teeth whitening strips come in the form of a sticky tape that may be directly applied across the front the teeth. They contain a bleaching solution that incorporates a peroxide compound, and are usually used twice a day for about half an hour each time. Teeth whitening strips may be bought over-the-counter as well as from your dentist.

Whitening Gels

Teeth whitening gels are also peroxide based, and they are applied over the teeth with a small brush. Self application gel kits are available that can be used at home. The kit usually comes with a peroxide gel-filled mouth tray that is fitted to your teeth. They are simple to use, reasonably affordable, and effective.

Whitening procedures at the Dentist’s Office

A cosmetic dentist can perform this procedure, which involves the direct application of a gel to the teeth under controlled heating, or with the help of a special light or laser, or even a combination of the three.

The procedure will typically last 30 to 60 minutes, and sometimes requires more than one sitting to be properly effective. This procedure will give you quick results, and will be correspondingly more expensive when compared with the home whitening kit.

Gel Treatment under Dental Supervision

This is one of the more popular methods of teeth whitening, and can be slightly more affordable when compared to the procedure performed by a cosmetic dentist.

A custom-made tooth tray containing carbamide peroxide gel is be provided. This is considered to be more effective than treatment using hydrogen peroxide, and reaches virtually every contour of teeth, rendering them as white as possible.

The method of usage is similar to that of a teeth whitening gel kit, and the tray supplied can be reused later as and when required.

How safe are Tooth whitening methods?

A vast body of research has been done on the efficacy and safety aspects of the teeth whitening methods that are in use today, and they have been reported to be quite safe. Modern techniques rarely give rise to sensitive gums or other side effects, and qualified dentists are quite emphatic that tooth whitening is one of the safest cosmetic dental procedures available.

The effects of tooth whitening typically last for one to two years, and sometimes longer depending on your dental hygiene and dietary habits

How much does teeth whitening cost?

The costs can vary depending upon location and the type of whitening treatment selected. Here are some sample prices from the UK.

Teeth whitening toothpastes are priced at £4.50 to £14.50 for a tube of 4.2oz. They contain a protein pellicle to which plaque, stains and bacteria adhere and get eliminated while rinsing.

A tooth whitening gel kit is usually priced at around £100.

Teeth whitening and teeth bleaching procedures cost around about £250 on average.

When having the whitening treatment performed by a cosmetic dentist, the cost depends upon the number of sittings required to get the teeth whitened to a significant degree. Most often, dental insurance will not cover the cost of a teeth whitening procedure.

Laser teeth whitening is likely to be priced at over £500.

Dentists in Greece
Save yourself up to 70% on cosmetic dentistry in Greece

Athens is one of Europe's oldest and most renouned cities. The Parthenon stands above a viberant modern centre, where museums filled with priceless antiquities stand among streets busy with cafes, restaraunts and great shopping.

Benefits of travelling to Greece

Greece and in particular Athens is a highly desirable dental destination. Access is easy with frequent flights from many airlines across Europe. An EU member since 1982 Greece has adapted its medical and dental institutions to fully conform with stringent EU standards: These include the monitoring of facilities and checks on the quality of equipment and materials used during procedures. A lower costs basis compared to Northern and Western European countries enable Greek dentists to compete at the highest levels of quality while offering substantially cheaper prices

Our three most popular dental clinics are:

Dentists in Greece - Qualifications

Qualification to practice dentistry in Greece is obtained after a 5 year (10 semester) university degree course. The quality of this training is adapted to the EU standard, allowing Greek dentists to practice elsewhere in the EU. Dentists from other member states may practice in Greece once they are in good standing with their own dental authority and can show a proficiency in the Greek language.

After qualification a number of continuing education options are available after a minimun of two years clinical experience. Two specialties are recognized by the Greek dental authorities: Orthodontics - a three year course; and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery which has an extensive 5 year training period. Addtional courses are available concentrating on specific procedure types such as Implant Biology and Prosthodontics: These courses are awarded a diploma or masters.

Dentists in Greece - Additional Information

Organizations

The Hellenic Dental Association (HDA) is the professional association for dentists in Greece. Membership is compulsory. All dentists must be registered with one of the 52 Regional Dental Societies which themselves are automatic members of the HDA.

Dental Ethics

Greek dentists follow a code of ethics that expands upon the core European code of ethics. It is administered at a local level by regional dental associations and centrally by the Hellenic Dental Association.

Continuing education

There is mandatory continuing education though no process for accessment is presently in place. A large number of 2-3 year courses are available to dentists to broaden their skill set into various specialties such as: Implants Biology; Endodontics; Prosthodontics etc...

Complaints

Complaints may be lodged with the Dental Association or directly with the Central Disciplinary Council of the the Ministry of Health. A fine or censure may be issued and in extreme cases the right to practice may be removed. Action through the civil courts is also possible.

Data Protection

The 2005 Code of Medical Ethics has articles covering a patients right to access their medical records (article 11) as well as the obligations of the medical professionals to protect that data.
Data is also protected under Act 2472/97 where medical records are designated as sensitive data: this category imposes additional obligations on the storage and access to data.

Resources

Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health and Welfare
17-19 Aristotelous Street
GR- 101 87 Athens
Tel: +32 10 52 32 821-9
Email: webmaster@mohaw.gr
Website: www.mohaw.gr/ (in Greek)

Hellenic Dental Association
38, Themistokleous Street
GR- 106 78 Athens
Tel: +32 10 38 13 380
+32 10 33 02 343
Fax: +32 10 38 34 385
E-mail: eoo@otenet.gr
Website: www.eoo.gr (in Greek)

Council of Euopean Dentists
CED/DLC Code of Ethics (Word Doc)