Teeth Whitening
Tooth colour naturally changes over the years through coffee, tea, wine, ageing and gradual enamel thinning. Professional whitening lifts these stains from within the tooth rather than covering them, for a fresher but still natural appearance.
Professional teeth whitening uses a controlled peroxide-based gel to break down the staining that builds up inside the tooth over time. Unlike whitening toothpastes, which mainly remove surface marks, professional whitening works on the deeper discolouration that accumulates with age and diet. Because it is supervised by a dentist, it can be planned around your sensitivity, your existing dental work and a realistic shade goal.
At Claremont Dental Rooms, whitening starts with custom-fitted trays so the gel sits evenly across the teeth. This even contact is what produces a predictable, controlled result and helps reduce the patchy outcomes sometimes seen with one-size-fits-all kits.
You can choose between in-chair whitening for a faster initial change, or take-home whitening for more gradual control, and the two can be combined when a result needs refining. We will recommend the approach that fits your goals and your sensitivity rather than defaulting to one method.
There are a few things worth understanding before whitening. Existing fillings, crowns and veneers do not whiten, because the whitening gel only works on natural tooth structure. If you have visible dental work, we will review it beforehand and explain how the final result will look, since you may want that work updated afterwards to match. Some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity during whitening, which usually settles after treatment and can be managed.
Our aim is not an artificial, paper-white shade, but a natural colour that suits your features in everyday lighting. Whitening also works best as part of good ongoing care, since the same food and drink that caused the original staining will gradually affect the result over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, when supervised by a dentist, professional whitening is considered safe for most people. A dental assessment first ensures the discolouration is suitable for whitening and that there is no underlying decay or gum problem. Dentist-supervised whitening also uses custom trays and appropriate gel concentrations, which reduces the risk of gum irritation and uneven results.
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Results typically last from several months to a couple of years, depending on your diet and habits. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking will gradually return staining. Many patients maintain their result with occasional top-up whitening using their custom trays.
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Some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity during or shortly after whitening, which usually settles within a day or two. It can often be reduced by adjusting the whitening schedule and using sensitivity products. Dentist-supervised whitening allows this to be managed properly.
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Over-the-counter kits use lower gel concentrations and generic trays that do not fit your teeth precisely, which can lead to uneven results and gum irritation from gel contact. Professional whitening uses custom-fitted trays and is planned around your existing dental work and sensitivity, giving a more even and predictable outcome.
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No. Whitening gel only works on natural tooth structure, so crowns, veneers and fillings will not change colour. If you have visible dental work, we assess it beforehand and explain how the final result will look. In some cases, dental work is replaced after whitening so it matches the new shade.
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Most healthy adults are suitable, but whitening is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and it does not work on every type of discolouration. Some deeper or developmental stains respond poorly to whitening and may be better addressed another way. An assessment first determines whether whitening will achieve your goal.