In-office whitening usually is performed following a cleaning to ensure the tooth surfaces can absorb the gel consistently. A special mouthguard is used to hold the lips back from the teeth, then the whitening gel is carefully applied to the surfaces of the teeth and a special light is used to activate the gel to increase its effects. The entire treatment takes about an hour and provides dramatic results.

Our take-home kits use strong whitening agents and custom trays designed to fit the contours of the patient’s teeth for results that are more consistent and longer-lasting than the results achieved with over-the-counter products. While over-the-counter products use a one-size-fits-all approach, our take-home whitening trays are made based on impressions of the patient’s teeth to help the whitening agent adhere more closely to the tooth surface.

Some patients find their teeth are somewhat sensitive following whitening with both professional and over-the-counter products, but sensitivity typically resolves within a few days or less. Having teeth professionally whitened can reduce the risk of sensitivity by ensuring small defects like tiny cracks are fixed prior to whitening and by using methods to reduce contact between the gums and the whitening agent.