MethodIn-chair or take-home
WhenAfter a cleaning
Not forNot for crowns or veneers
In short
Whitening uses a gel that breaks down the stain molecules built up in tooth enamel from food, drink and age. It is for healthy teeth that are darker than you would like, when a cleaning alone has not brought the colour back.
Does this sound like you?
- Coffee, tea, red wine or smoking have left your teeth yellow or brown.
- Your teeth have darkened with age and a cleaning did not lift the colour.
- You have a wedding or event coming up and want a lighter shade before it.
- Your teeth and gums are healthy, with no untreated cavities or cracks.
- You are getting a new crown or veneer and want your natural teeth lighter first.
In-chair or take-home trays
Dr. Malik does both at 5105 Hurontario, Unit 6; many people do in-chair first and keep the trays for top-ups.
In-chair whitening
Best for: A date on the calendar; wanting it done in one sitting
- Time to result
- Usually lighter when you leave the chair
- How white
- Often the bigger jump in one go
- Sensitivity
- More likely in the first day or two
- Cost in words
- More
- Visits
- One longer visit
- Control
- We manage the gel, your gums and the timing
- Top-ups later
- Another office visit
Take-home trays
Best for: Sensitive teeth; a tighter budget; keeping the shade up
- Time to result
- Gradual, usually over one to two weeks
- How white
- Usually reaches a similar shade, more slowly
- Sensitivity
- Milder gel; often easier on sensitive teeth
- Cost in words
- Less
- Visits
- Two short visits, then wearing trays at home
- Control
- You choose the pace and can pause if teeth zing
- Top-ups later
- A few days with the trays you already own
What whitening does not fix
Whitening gel only works on natural enamel, so some things need a different fix.
Crowns, veneers and bridgesPorcelain stays whatever shade it was made. If the mismatch bothers you, the fix is remaking that piece to match your lighter teeth.
Fillings you can seeWhite fillings do not lighten, so an old one can look darker after whitening. Dr. Malik can replace a visible filling in a lighter shade once your colour has settled.
Grey or tetracycline stainsGrey banding from antibiotics taken in childhood sits deep in the tooth and often barely shifts. Veneers or bonding usually cover it better than gel.
White spotsWhitening lightens the tooth around a chalky spot, so the spot can stand out more. Bonding or a resin treatment on the spot itself usually works better.
One dark toothA single tooth that went dark after an injury or root canal often needs whitening from the inside, or a crown, rather than gel on the outside.
Stain stuck to tartarBrown lines along the gum are often buildup, not the tooth itself. A cleaning removes them; gel cannot get through to the enamel underneath.
What happens.
First visit to finish, in order.
In-chair or take-homeAfter a cleaningNot for crowns or veneers
- Check and clean firstDr. Malik checks for cavities, cracks and gum problems, and we clean off plaque and tartar. Whitening gel works on clean enamel, not on a layer of buildup.
- In-chair or traysIn-chair whitening uses a stronger gel applied in the office, usually in one visit. Take-home trays use a milder gel you wear for a set time each day over one to two weeks.
- Shade and honest limitsWe record your starting shade and point out which teeth will lighten. Crowns, veneers and fillings do not change colour, and grey or medication stains lighten less than yellow ones.
- The whitening itselfIn the office we cover your gums, apply the gel and repeat it in short rounds. With trays, we take impressions, fit custom trays and show you exactly how much gel to use.
- AftercareSensitivity is common for a day or two, and a sensitivity toothpaste helps. Avoid dark drinks for the first 48 hours; we check the result at your next visit.
Cost and insurance.
Whitening is cosmetic, so most dental plans do not cover it, though they usually cover the check-up and cleaning that comes first. In-chair whitening is usually one visit; take-home trays take one short visit for impressions and a second to collect them. We bill your insurance directly. You see the estimate in writing before anything starts. No insurance? We tell you the cost up front.
Questions people ask.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
Some people feel brief, sharp zings in their teeth during or after whitening, and gums can sting if gel touches them. It usually settles within a day or two. If you are sensitive, we lower the gel strength or shorten the sessions.
How long does teeth whitening last?
Usually one to three years, depending on how much coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco you take in. A short top-up with your take-home trays brings the shade back.
Does whitening damage enamel?
Whitening at the strengths a dentist uses has not been shown to wear away enamel. Overusing strong products without a check-up can irritate gums and inflame the nerve, which is why we look at your teeth first.
Will whitening work on crowns or veneers?
No. Porcelain and composite do not change colour, so whitening the teeth around them makes the mismatch show. If you plan on new crowns or veneers, whiten first and we match the new work to the lighter shade.