Have you always wanted bright, white celebrity-like teeth? Yep, us too! If only we didn't love our morning coffee fix, surely we'd have a nice set of pearly whites.
We've found the perfect treatment to help you say farewell to yellow, coffee-stained teeth for good: BriteSmile teeth whitening. It won't break your budget like veneers, you can have it done in your lunchbreak and the best bit is it's pain-free.
Road test: BriteSmile teeth whitening
Aim: To whiten and brighten teeth while still keeping a natural colour. BriteSmile can achieve results of up to 10 to 12 shades lighter.
What happens?
Step one: In an initial consultation, Dr Angelo Lazaris checks your teeth to ensure they're suitable for the treatment and gives them a good clean. A professional clean is essential so that the whitening gel distributes evenly on the teeth and the best possible results are achieved. Dr Lazaris also checks for any visible crowns or large fillings and that your teeth and gums are clean and healthy.
Step two: Sit back and relax while Dr Lazaris works his magic. Photographs will be taken of your teeth and then a masking agent will be applied to your gums and lips to protect the skin from being bleached.
Step three: Whitening gel is applied to the teeth consecutively four times for 20 minutes each. The active ingredient in the gel is hydrogen peroxide, which works by neutralising the pigments in your teeth. This in turn gives you glowing white teeth. A blue light is then placed over the teeth to activate and speed up the whitening process. No, it's not a laser. The light works with the BriteSmile gel to whiten teeth and brighten up your smile.
Step four: After about 80 minutes you're all done. After a quick rinse, Dr Lazaris takes a final shot and presents you with the before and after results. You are in and out of the chair in 90 minutes.
Take-home tips: After the treatment you must avoid coloured foods, coffee and red wine for 24 hours while your teeth adjust to their new enhancement. To maintain results invest in a good whitening tooth paste like Colgate Simply White Paste Sparkling Mint ($7.99), Listerine Total Care and most importantly don't forget to floss.
Cost: $1000
The bottom line: "I won't lie — it can be a little uncomfortable and you will feel sensitivities during the treatment. Some who've tried it have said the sensation is like a slight tooth ache that lasts on a few seconds, but for me I thought it was virtually pain-free and I haven't looked back. Results can last for several years depending on your diet, but if you're anything like me and love a morning coffee, you may have to revisit every couple of years for a top-up."
For further information, visit www.drangelolazaris.com and www.britesmile.com.au.
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