Professional whitening produces results drugstore strips cannot — but only for the right kind of staining.
Teeth darken over time. Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and simple age all contribute, and no amount of brushing reverses it because the staining sits within the enamel rather than on it.
Professional whitening uses a stronger agent than anything sold over the counter, applied under supervision so your gums and enamel are protected.
Your Options
In-office whitening
One appointment, typically 60 to 90 minutes. We isolate the gums, apply a professional-strength gel, and you leave several shades lighter the same day. Best if you have an event coming up or simply want it done.
Take-home trays
Custom trays made from impressions of your teeth, with professional gel to use at home over a couple of weeks. Slower, but the trays are reusable — so topping up in two years costs only the gel. Many patients find this better value long term.
Both together
In-office treatment for the initial jump, trays for maintenance. This is what most people who care about keeping the result end up doing.
What Whitening Will Not Fix
This matters more than the sales pitch, because whitening the wrong thing wastes your money.
- Crowns, veneers, fillings and bridges do not whiten. If you have visible restorations on your front teeth, whitening the natural teeth around them makes the restorations stand out. Sometimes the answer is whitening first, then replacing the restorations to match.
- Grey or banded discolouration from tetracycline or trauma responds poorly. Veneers are usually the better route.
- Decay and gum disease must be treated first. Whitening over untreated problems is painful and pointless.
- Intrinsic darkening from a dead nerve needs different treatment — often internal bleaching after root canal treatment.
We assess before we treat, and if whitening is not going to give you what you are picturing, we will say so.
Start With a Cleaning
Book a professional cleaning before whitening. Surface stain and tartar block the gel from reaching the enamel evenly, and a good clean alone sometimes gets people close enough that they decide they do not need whitening at all. We would rather you found that out first.
Sensitivity
Some temporary sensitivity is normal during and shortly after whitening, particularly to cold. It settles within a few days.
If you already have sensitive teeth, tell us. We can use a lower concentration over a longer period and recommend a desensitising toothpaste to start beforehand. Sensitivity is manageable — it is rarely a reason to skip whitening entirely.
How Long Results Last
Typically one to three years, depending mostly on what you drink and whether you smoke. Coffee and red wine every day will shorten it considerably.
Practical things that help: rinse with water after staining drinks, use a straw for iced coffee, and top up with your take-home trays before the shade drifts too far rather than after.
What It Costs
In-office whitening is a single-appointment fee. Take-home trays cost less and include the custom trays plus your first course of gel; replacement gel afterwards is inexpensive. See our fee ranges.
Whitening is cosmetic, so it is not covered by insurance, and it is not covered under the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is whitening safe for enamel?
Professionally supervised whitening at appropriate concentrations does not damage enamel. The risks come from unsupervised overuse and from products of unknown strength bought online.
How many shades will I go up?
Most people see several shades of improvement. How many depends on your starting point and the type of staining, which is what the consultation establishes.
Do whitening toothpastes work?
They remove some surface stain through mild abrasion. They cannot change the underlying colour of the tooth.
Can I whiten with braces or aligners?
Not with fixed braces. With Invisalign, whitening is usually done after treatment finishes.
Is it worth it if I have crowns on my front teeth?
Possibly, but plan the sequence carefully — whiten first, then match new restorations to the lighter shade. Doing it the other way round means paying twice.
Book a Whitening Consultation
Book online, or explore other cosmetic dentistry options.