Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening comes in two main formats: an in-office procedure and at-home whitening with special products provided by your dentist. An in-office procedure costs between $600 and $1,500, and an at-home whitening kit costs between $200 and $600, depending on the results you want to achieve.

The results of a professional teeth whitening procedure last between 6 months and 3 years. The longevity of your results depends on the type of procedure you received, your oral health care, diet, and personal habits. To keep your teeth white for as long as possible, we recommend adhering to the following rules:

• Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day
• Use a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste
• Avoid over-the-counter whitening products
• Floss every evening
• Add a water flosser as an additional step in your evening routine
• Rinse your mouth after meals
• Avoid staining foods and beverages
• Abstain from smoking

Teeth whitening is safe when done professionally, as your dentist will carefully examine your oral health before choosing the type of whitening solution and tailoring the procedure to your needs. In comparison, using over-the-counter or DIY solutions may cause permanent enamel damage, tooth sensitivity, and gum tissue burns, making teeth more prone to decay and staining in the future.

In-office teeth whitening is performed in one 40- to 90-minute visit to a dental office, offering immediate results. During at-home whitening, you use a special treatment solution provided by your dentist for multiple hours a day over 7 to 18 days, achieving the desired results gradually. 

Professional teeth whitening can make your teeth up to 8 shades whiter. If you opt for an in-office procedure, you may achieve such results in just one dental visit, while at-home professional whitening allows you to achieve desired results gradually. However, how white your teeth can get depends on your oral health and the type of discoloration or stains you want to remove.

Teeth whitening may cause sensitivity to hot and cold foods and drinks as it makes the enamel of your teeth temporarily more porous. However, professional teeth whitening does not cause permanent damage to your teeth, and the enamel tends to heal within 7 to 10 days, so the sensitivity goes away. In comparison, irresponsible whitening with over-the-counter or DIY products might cause permanent enamel damage and permanent sensitivity.

An in-office whitening procedure takes 40 to 90 minutes depending on the technique used and on the results you want to achieve. At-home professional teeth whitening takes 1 to 3 weeks, also depending on how white you want your teeth to be at the end of the treatment.

To be able to undergo an effective and safe teeth whitening procedure, you need to have the following:

• Healthy tooth enamel that can sustain a bleaching procedure and recover quickly
• Healthy gums
• Stains or discoloration that respond to whitening (teeth whitening may not be effective for some types of deep stains)