Episode 31: Explained In-Chair Teeth Whitening

OPTISMILE Podcast 31: In-Chair Whitening

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (0:05 – 0:52):
Welcome to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth, the go-to podcast where curiosity meets dentistry straight from the experts. It’s Eon Engelbrecht with you as well as Dr Clifford Yudelman from OptiSmile, and we are once again taking a deep dive into the world of dental care from a consumer’s perspective. Whether you are looking to brighten that smile or protect your wallet, we’ve got you covered with practical advice and the latest insights on this podcast.

So stay with us as we uncover the secrets to maintaining both your dental health and your finances. In the previous podcast, we started with teeth whitening, and today more specifically, in-chair whitening. Dr Yudelman, welcome back once again.

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (0:53 – 1:39):
Thank you, and thanks for having me back. I hope you had a great week, and I’m sure if anybody listened to last week’s intro to teeth whitening, they’d be really looking forward to getting the lowdown on in-chair whitening. Next week, as we said, will be take-home whitening, and after that, we’ll be talking about over-the-counter, internet, or beauty salon whitening, which is illegal. Lastly, we’ll cover myths and home remedies, where we’ll expose all the ins and outs of that.

So today’s about in-chair whitening, and I’m really looking forward to it.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (1:39 – 1:48):
Yeah, looking forward to it, Dr Yudelman. So can you firstly explain the in-chair teeth whitening process to us step by step?

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (1:49 – 3:41):
Yes, so in-chair teeth whitening—or any teeth whitening—should start with a good cleaning to remove plaque and to polish any stain off the outside of your teeth. Whitening with peroxide gel, hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, is meant to bleach the stains inside the teeth, not to remove surface stains.

A good cleaning and polish is very important. If you’ve had a clean or polish in the last few weeks, it can be just a quick little buff on the fronts of the teeth. In general, there shouldn’t be any tartar on your teeth.

Next, we put a protective barrier on your gums. We apply this barrier carefully at the gum line to make sure it seals between the tooth and the gums, preventing the whitening gel from touching the gums. We harden the barrier with a light, check for leaks, and then apply the gel to the teeth.

There are some gels that don’t use a light, and others where we use a bright LED light, which people mistakenly call laser whitening. Very few dentists actually use lasers—we use LED lights.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (3:42 – 3:48):
Okay, and what results can patients typically expect from an in-chair whitening session?

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (3:49 – 5:16):
In some cases, it’s immediate and dramatic. In others, we don’t see a huge change. People often equate spending money with results, thinking that paying more for whitening will deliver better results, but it really depends on your teeth. At OptiSmile, we use Flash in-chair whitening, and we often see teeth whitening by two to five shades in one session, with immediate results.

However, it’s not long-lasting, which we’ll discuss later. I always recommend take-home whitening trays because with any whitening, you get some rebound, where the teeth start darkening again a few days after treatment.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (5:17 – 5:23):
Okay, and how does in-chair whitening compare in terms of cost versus effectiveness?

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (5:25 – 6:16):
It’s higher in cost, but it’s faster, and the results can sometimes be dramatic. It’s cost-effective for those seeking a quick improvement, like if you’re getting married next week and don’t have time for take-home whitening. But for someone whose teeth have been yellow for years, it’s probably not as cost-effective. We often insist that patients use take-home whitening as well.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (6:16 – 6:22):
And how often should one undergo in-chair whitening treatments?

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (6:22 – 9:54):
Some people want it done every two or three months because they don’t want to do take-home whitening, or they’ve had a bad experience with it. But if someone does in-chair whitening and follows up with trays, they may never need in-chair whitening again. However, if you get lazy or lose your trays and have a big event coming up, then a touch-up in-chair whitening session could be helpful.

At OptiSmile, we call it OptiSmile WOW (Way of Whitening), because we customise it for each patient. We use several products, including Flash from Germany, which we love. We’ve tried it with and without the light and found that the light does help. We also offer Opalescence Boost, which doesn’t use a light, and Pola from Australia.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (9:55 – 10:04):
Okay, so for those concerned, are there any risks or side effects associated with in-chair whitening?

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (10:04 – 15:52):
Yes, let’s start with gum irritation. If the barrier doesn’t seal properly, the gel can leak onto the gums, which can cause temporary irritation. We also see patients who’ve gone to beauty salons, where unlicensed people use professional-strength products, which is illegal and dangerous. The HPCSA can send the police to arrest those people.

There’s also tooth sensitivity, which is quite normal with whitening. Sensitivity to cold usually goes away, but “zingers”—sharp, shooting pains—can occur if whitening is pushed too far. They’re rare but can be very painful. At OptiSmile, we manage this carefully.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (15:53 – 16:01):
That sounds incredibly painful, Doctor. What should a patient do to prepare for an in-chair whitening session?

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (16:03 – 18:28):
We always recommend a hygiene visit for cleaning and polishing beforehand. Make sure there are no leaking fillings. You might also want to avoid staining foods like red wine and espresso before the treatment. A check-up with the dentist is key.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (18:29 – 18:37):
Okay, so doctor, how do different in-chair whitening systems, like Zoom for example, compare?

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (18:39 – 21:28):
At OptiSmile, we don’t use Zoom anymore. We prefer Flash, which we’ve found delivers better results with fewer side effects like zingers. We offer a variety of options to patients based on their needs, but we’ve found Flash to be the most effective in our hands.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (21:29 – 21:36):
Doctor, in terms of aftercare, what is required following an in-chair whitening treatment?

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (21:37 – 23:36):
For the first 24 hours, avoid anything that would stain a white t-shirt: curries, red wine, coffee, etc. After that, you can use whitening toothpaste to maintain the results, and regular check-ups will help keep your teeth white.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (23:37 – 23:44):
And Doctor, how does the light used in in-chair whitening treatments enhance the results?

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (23:45 – 25:30):
There’s still debate about whether the light actually helps, but we’ve found that it accelerates the chemical reaction in the whitening gel, leading to better results. We use the light for most of our in-chair whitening treatments.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (25:31 – 25:38):
And our final question for today: who is the ideal candidate for in-chair teeth whitening?

[Dr Clifford Yudelman – OptiSmile] (25:39 – 26:39):
In-chair whitening is ideal for people who need quick, dramatic results before an event. It works best for those with healthy teeth and gums. For stubborn stains, in-chair whitening followed by take-home trays can yield excellent results.

[Eon Engelbrecht E-Radio] (26:39 – 27:24):
Thanks so much, Dr Yudelman. That’s it for another episode, and we appreciate your expertise and your time. Next week, we’ll be discussing take-home whitening kits, so make sure to tune in. And don’t forget to subscribe for more enlightening discussions, and join us again next time as we continue to explore the fascinating intersection of dental health and financial savvy. Until then, keep smiling and taking great care of your teeth.

[Speaker 3 – Promotional Segment] (27:44 – 28:29)
Discover the world of dental excellence with OptiSmile. Join us for a weekly podcast featuring Dr Clifford Yudelman, a seasoned expert with 40 years of dental experience across four continents. Gain unique insights and expert dental advice by visiting OptiSmile.co.za for articles that illuminate the path to optimal oral health. If you’re seeking unparalleled dental care in Cape Town, get in touch with OptiSmile or book directly online at OptiSmile.co.za. OptiSmile, where global expertise meets local care.