In-chair vs. take-home whitening
In-chair whitening takes about 60 to 90 minutes. We place a barrier over your gums, apply a dentist-strength peroxide gel and activate it with a special light. It is the fastest option and typically lightens teeth by several shades in a single visit.
Take-home whitening uses custom trays made from a scan of your mouth, so the gel sits where it should and nowhere near your gums. You wear them for 30 to 60 minutes a day over 10 to 14 days. It is slower, but gentler and it gives you much better control over the final shade.
A combination works well for many patients: one in-chair session to shift the baseline, then trays to finish at home. We will recommend the right approach after examining your teeth.
What we check before we start
Not everyone is a candidate, and it is our job to say so. We look for exposed root surfaces, cavities, cracked teeth, untreated gum disease and heavy restorations.
Whitening gel works on natural tooth structure only. If you have a crown or a composite filling on a front tooth, that restoration will stay the same shade while the surrounding enamel lightens, which can leave a visible mismatch. Sometimes the right answer is to replace that restoration afterwards, and sometimes it is to whiten the other teeth to match it.
We also take a baseline shade photograph at your consultation. You will see the difference in the before-and-after photos, and you can take the final shade home with you.
Keeping your results
Whitening results are not permanent, but they last. The main enemies are the same things that caused the staining in the first place.
If you drink coffee, tea or red wine, use a straw where practical and rinse your mouth with water afterwards. If you smoke or vape, expect to need a top-up session every 12 to 18 months. Maintain regular cleanings, because tartar picks up stain readily.
We also recommend a sensitivity-strengthening toothpaste for the week after your whitening, and most patients find sensitivity settles within 48 hours.
