| 05 Jun 2008
Say Cheese
30 March 2008 - The Sunday Times (Life)
SAY CHEESE
With the growing popularity of teeth whitening, more people are smiling confidently
>Tan Yi Hui
NOT many people are blessed with movie-star looks. But if you are willing to spend some money and sit through a two-hour treatment, you could flash a mega-watt smile like them.
And going by the growing popularity of teeth whitening procedures the National Dental Centre (NDC) says it has seen an ” over 50 per cent increase compared with five years ago" -more and more Singaporeans are smiling in agreement.
A 17year old student, who wants to be known only as Michelle, took on a holiday job
to pay for her $550 teeth whitening procedure. "Everyone wants to look good. It's not some kind of complicated surgery. It's very simple" she says. Dr Chin Shou King from T32 Dental Centre, which sees four to six patients a week, says: "More and more people are exposed to teeth whitening through the media. To be realistic, appearance really counts. A good first impression gets you a foot in the door."
The NDC says the initial interest in this treatment came from women above the age of 30, but in recent years the age range has widened from 20 to over 60 years, and more men are requesting for the service.
Dr Thean Tsin. Piao, president of the Aesthetic Dentistry Society Singapore, says that besides recent technological advancements in the technique, the growth in patient numbers is also due to foreigners who opt for treatment here because it is cheaper.
In general, teeth whitening techniques, considered a purely cosmetic procedure, can b e divided into over the counter (OTC) products and prescribed treatments.
Over the counter products comprise anything found in pharmacies, from toothpastes and gels to kits complete with tools and a mould set. Prices range from a couple of dollars to about $90. For most, the bleaching agent is peroxide-based.
According to dentists, prescribed treatments provide faster and clearer results than
Over the counter products be cause stronger peroxide concentrations and customized
Techniques are used. Prescribed treatments basically involve either a take-home bleaching regime or a bleaching procedure done at the clinic. The two can be offered as a package. Take-home kits range from $450 to $900. Patients we are a custom- fitted
mould that holds the bleaching gel for two to four hours daily. Periodic reviews by
the dentist will be conducted.
The in-office procedure involves a one to two hour session where light is used to activate a high concentration of bleaching gel applied to the teeth. On average, it can cost between $800 and $1, 200.
Be prepared for side effects such as sensitivity in the teeth and slight gum irritation, which affects 60 to 70 per cent of patients.
Dentists also caution against being over zealous with over th |