Cosmetic Dentistry · Smile Brightening
Up to 8 shades lighter in a single in-office visit — or gradual, comfortable brightening at home with custom-fitted trays. Both options use professional-grade formulas unavailable over the counter.
Understanding your staining
A quick exam tells us what type of staining you have and which whitening approach will deliver the best result for your specific situation.
Caused by: Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, dark berries and sauces
Most surface stains respond well to professional whitening in a single session.
Caused by: Tetracycline antibiotics, fluorosis, trauma-related darkening
May require multiple sessions or, in severe cases, veneers or bonding as an alternative.
Caused by: Enamel thinning over decades revealing yellow dentin
Responds well to whitening; results may be less dramatic than younger patients.
Treatment options
60–90 minutes
Up to 8 shades lighter in one visit
We apply a professional-strength peroxide gel directly to your teeth and activate it with a curing light. Gum tissue is fully protected. Results are immediate and dramatic.
Best for: Special events, quick results, maximum impact
1–2 weeks of nightly wear
Gradual whitening; comparable final result to in-office
Impressions taken at your office visit create custom-fitted trays. We provide professional-grade gel that you apply for 30–60 minutes each evening. Gentler on sensitive teeth.
Best for: Patients with sensitivity concerns, gradual improvement
In-office + maintenance trays
Maximum results with sustained brightness
Begin with in-office whitening for immediate impact, then use take-home trays for touch-ups and to maintain your result over the long term.
Best for: Best overall outcome and longevity
Why professional makes a difference
Over-the-counter strips and trays can't conform to the exact contours of your teeth. Gel leaks onto gum tissue, causing irritation, while the teeth themselves are unevenly exposed — leading to patchy results.
Custom trays seal precisely to your anatomy. Every tooth surface receives even, controlled contact with the professional-strength gel. The result is uniform, dramatic brightening with minimal sensitivity.
Protecting your results
Avoid coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco for 48 hours after whitening — pores are most open immediately after treatment
Stick to the "white diet" (chicken, rice, yogurt, water) in the days following in-office whitening
Use a sensitivity toothpaste (potassium nitrate) for one week before treatment if you have sensitivity concerns
Maintain results with touch-up trays every 6–12 months
Whiten before placing veneers, bonding, or crowns — we'll match restorations to your new shade
Brush with fluoride toothpaste after whitening to remineralize enamel
Common questions
In-office whitening typically lightens teeth 4–8 shades in a single session, though results vary by patient. The shade you achieve depends on your natural tooth color, the type of staining present, and the treatment protocol used.
Yes. The peroxide concentrations used in professional whitening are precisely calibrated and applied with gum protection in place. Sensitivity can occur but is temporary and manageable. Over-the-counter kits use lower concentrations without custom fit or gum protection — less effective and more likely to irritate gum tissue.
Professional whitening results typically last 1–3 years, depending on dietary habits and maintenance. Patients who avoid staining foods and use touch-up trays regularly maintain results far longer.
No. Whitening affects only natural tooth enamel. Porcelain and composite restorations will remain their original shade while surrounding teeth lighten. If your restorations are visible, plan whitening before placing them — we'll match new restorations to your whitened shade.
Usually, yes. We recommend pre-treating with a sensitivity toothpaste, starting with the take-home tray option at a lower concentration, and using fluoride gel in the tray after each whitening session. Let us know about your sensitivity so we can adjust the protocol.
Service area
Begin your brightening
Call our Turkey Lake Road office to schedule. Most whitening appointments are available within a week of your consultation.
