Teeth discolour over the years – through coffee, tea, red wine, nicotine, or simply with age. Professional whitening lightens them in a controlled way, without removing tooth substance.
02 — Aesthetics
Examination first, whitening second
Every whitening begins with a look at the findings. Decay, leaking fillings or inflamed gums must be treated first – otherwise the whitening agent reaches places where it does not belong. Professional cleaning is part of the preparation too, because deposits otherwise lie over the tooth like a mask.
In conversation we clarify where the discolouration comes from. Surface stains often disappear with the cleaning alone. Discolouration from inside the tooth, for instance after a root canal treatment, calls for a different approach than generally darkened teeth.
What can be lightened – and what cannot
Whitening works on natural tooth substance. Crowns, bridges, veneers and composite fillings do not change colour. If visible teeth already carry restorations, these may no longer match after whitening and would need replacing – we discuss that beforehand, not afterwards.
The achievable result also depends on the starting point. Yellowish discolouration generally responds better than greyish. We tell you openly what is realistic in your case, and advise against treatment where the effort does not match the likely result.
In the practice or at home
For whitening at the practice we first protect the gums, apply the gel to the teeth and let it work. The session takes about an hour. The advantage: the result is visible immediately and the application stays under control.
Alternatively we make custom trays that you wear at home with a lower-dose gel – over several days, usually overnight. This variant takes patience but spreads the lightening more gently over time.
After treatment, teeth sometimes react more sensitively to cold for a day or two. This settles by itself. How long the result lasts depends on your habits; anyone who drinks a lot of coffee or tea will want to top it up sooner. Aesthetic treatments are private services – you receive a cost estimate in advance.
Frequently asked
What patients ask us about this
Are crowns and fillings lightened too?
No. Whitening works only on natural tooth substance. Crowns, bridges, veneers and fillings keep their colour. If visible teeth already carry restorations, we discuss beforehand what that means for the overall picture.
How long does the result last?
That depends strongly on your habits. Coffee, tea, red wine and nicotine lead to renewed discolouration more quickly. A top-up is possible at any time.
Talk to us
Whether this treatment is right for you is something we clarify in a personal conversation. Book online or give us a call.