In-office (professional) whitening
Professional in-office whitening uses a high-concentration peroxide gel (typically 35–40% hydrogen peroxide) activated for 45–60 minutes while we protect your gums with a barrier. Results are immediate and dramatic, most patients see 6–10 shades of improvement in a single visit. Total appointment time is 60–90 minutes.
This is the right choice for events, weddings, or when you want maximum impact in minimum time. It's the most expensive option of the three, but the result is fastest and most predictable. Call us for current pricing.
Custom take-home trays
Custom-fitted whitening trays are made from a digital impression of your teeth. You wear them at home with a professional-strength gel (typically 10–22% carbamide peroxide) for 30 minutes to a few hours per day, for one to two weeks.
The results are similar to in-office whitening, just spread over time. They cost less than the in-office option, are easier on sensitive teeth, and give you trays you can use for touch-ups years later. Most of our cosmetic-focused patients prefer this route. Call us for current pricing.
Drugstore strips and pens
Over-the-counter products work, but with limits:
- Concentration is much lower than professional gels (typically 6–10%)
- Generic strips don't conform to every tooth, coverage is uneven
- Results plateau after a few cycles
- Can cause sensitivity if used too frequently
- Good for maintaining results between professional treatments
Managing sensitivity
Whitening can make teeth temporarily sensitive to cold. The peroxide opens up tiny pores in the enamel which causes the sensation. Using a desensitizing toothpaste (like Sensodyne with potassium nitrate) for a week before and during treatment helps significantly. We can also adjust the wear time of take-home trays or use a buffered gel for patients with high sensitivity.
What whitening won't change
Crowns, veneers, fillings, and bonded restorations don't whiten. If you have white fillings on your front teeth or veneers, whitening the surrounding teeth can leave the restorations looking darker by comparison. We address this during planning, sometimes by replacing old restorations after whitening to match the new shade.
When neither whitening option is appropriate
Whitening isn't right for every patient or every smile. A few situations where we hold off until something else is addressed:
Untreated cavities or large fillings on visible teeth, the bleach won't whiten the filling material, so you'll end up with a color mismatch. Active gum disease, the chemicals can irritate inflamed tissue. Existing crowns, veneers, or bonding on the front teeth, those won't change color and may end up darker than the surrounding enamel. Severe sensitivity that hasn't been worked up. Tetracycline-stained or fluorosis-stained teeth, these don't respond well to bleach and usually need veneers for a meaningful change. If you fall into one of these groups, we'll talk through alternatives before any whitening starts.
Questions about your specific case?
Every patient's mouth is different. The article above covers the general principles, for a personalized recommendation, schedule a consultation with Dr. Sidhu.
