Professional Teeth Whitening

Teeth naturally darken and yellow over time due to aging, coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, and certain medications. Professional whitening, whether done in-office or with custom at-home trays provided by your dentist, is significantly more effective than store-bought products.

In-Office Whitening

In-office whitening (sometimes called power whitening or laser whitening) uses a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gel applied directly to the teeth, often activated with a light or laser. A single appointment of 60 to 90 minutes can lighten teeth by several shades. Results are immediate and dramatic.

Custom At-Home Trays

Your dentist takes an impression of your teeth and creates custom-fitted plastic trays. You fill these trays with a prescription-strength whitening gel and wear them for one to two hours per day (or overnight, depending on the product) for one to two weeks. Results are comparable to in-office treatment but take longer to achieve. The trays can be reused for periodic touch-ups.

What Whitening Does and Doesn't Do

• Whitens natural tooth enamel effectively
• Does not change the colour of crowns, veneers, bridges, or fillings
• Does not work on teeth discoloured by tetracycline antibiotics or fluorosis (these require veneers)
• Results typically last one to three years with good maintenance
• Temporary sensitivity during treatment is common; it resolves within days

Who Is a Good Candidate

Most adults with healthy teeth and gums are good candidates. Your dentist should check for cavities, gum disease, and existing restorations before recommending whitening — whitening over untreated decay or through cracked enamel can cause significant pain.

Over-the-Counter vs. Professional

Over-the-counter whitening strips and trays use much lower concentrations of bleach and typically produce modest results. Professional products use 15–40% hydrogen peroxide versus 3–10% in OTC products. The difference in results is significant, particularly for more yellowed teeth.