Teeth Whitening
Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional whitening uses stronger, better-controlled gels than anything sold over the counter — and because your gums are protected and your enamel is checked first, the result is brighter with far less sensitivity.
- In-office session in about 90 minutes
- Custom-fitted take-home trays
- Desensitizing protocol included
- Shade documented before and after
In-office versus take-home
In-office whitening delivers the fastest visible change and is ideal before a wedding, reunion or photo session. A protective barrier is placed along the gum line, and the gel is applied in timed cycles.
Take-home trays are custom-molded to your teeth and worn for a short period daily over one to two weeks. They cost less, produce a comparable end result, and give you gel on hand for touch-ups later.
Why drugstore strips disappoint
One-size strips leak, miss the back of the arch, and irritate gums. They also cannot tell the difference between surface staining and internal discoloration, which is why some people see no change at all.
Before whitening we check for decay, exposed root surfaces and existing crowns or fillings — none of which bleach. Knowing that in advance prevents a patchy result.
Making it last
Coffee, tea, red wine and dark sodas are the usual culprits. Rinsing with water after them, using a straw for iced drinks, and keeping your regular cleanings will hold your shade for a year or more between touch-ups.
Frequently asked questions
- Does whitening damage enamel?
- Professionally supervised whitening at appropriate concentrations does not damage enamel. Overuse of unsupervised high-strength gel can irritate soft tissue, which is why we set the protocol for you.
- How white will my teeth get?
- Most patients lift several shades. Natural tooth color, the type of staining, and your starting shade all affect the ceiling, and we record before-and-after shades so the change is measurable.
- Will my crowns and fillings whiten too?
- No. Restorations keep their existing color, so if you have visible dental work we plan whitening first and match new restorations to your brighter shade afterward.
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Ready when you are
New patients are welcome at Charlotte Harbor Dental. Call us or send a message and we will find a time that works.