Professional Teeth Whitening

What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?

Tooth discoloration falls into two categories: extrinsic stains (on the surface from coffee, tea, wine, tobacco) and intrinsic stains (inside the tooth from aging, certain medications, or trauma). Professional whitening uses high-concentration hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gels — either applied in-office or in custom take-home trays — to break up stain molecules deep within enamel.

How It Works

In-office whitening (e.g., Zoom, Opalescence Boost) takes 60–90 minutes. The dentist protects gums with a barrier and applies bleaching gel that may be activated by a special light. Take-home whitening uses custom trays filled with professional-strength gel worn 30–60 minutes daily for 1–2 weeks.

Key Benefits

• Results typically 3–8 shades whiter in one appointment (in-office)
• Custom trays provide even, controlled bleaching
• Supervised by a dentist — safer for gums and enamel than DIY kits
• Take-home kits allow convenient touch-ups for years
• Most affordable cosmetic dental procedure

Frequently Asked Questions