Wondering if Teeth Whitening is right for you?
Book NowWondering if Teeth Whitening is right for you?
Book NowTeeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is a simple, dentist-supervised way to brighten your smile safely and predictably. We look at your teeth, talk through your goals, and recommend an in-office or at-home option that fits your timeline, sensitivity, and long-term plan.
Smile Stories
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Understanding the procedure, materials, and options
What it is
Teeth whitening uses professional-strength gels to lift stains from within the enamel and make your natural teeth appear lighter, without changing their shape.
What whitening can help with
Yellowing or darkening over time, stains from coffee, tea, red wine, colas, and smoking, and general dullness even with good brushing habits.
What whitening can't change
Existing fillings, crowns, veneers, and implants do not lighten with whitening gels. Very deep internal stains or colour changes from trauma may need veneers or other cosmetic options instead.
Why professional whitening
Dentist-supervised whitening uses higher-quality gels, custom delivery (Zoom® in-office or custom trays), and soft-tissue protection, giving you more noticeable results with less risk of overuse or irritation.
Common causes of staining
- •Daily drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas
- •Smoking or vaping
- •Foods with strong colourings and sauces
- •Natural thinning of enamel as we age
- •Certain medications or previous trauma to a tooth
Most patients choose between a fast in-office boost and a more gradual at-home routine. We help you pick based on how quickly you want results and how sensitive your teeth tend to be.
In-office Zoom® Teeth Whitening
Best for: Big events, fast results, and patients who want a dramatic change in a single visit.
Completed in about an hour here in our Fremont office. Professional gel is applied and activated with a special Zoom light, often whitening teeth by up to eight shades or more in one appointment.
Custom take-home whitening trays
Best for: Patients who prefer to whiten gradually, maintain results over time, or control the pace from home.
We take impressions or scans to make thin, custom-fit trays. You wear them at home with professional gel for a set time over several days or weeks, then use occasional touch-ups as needed.
Combination approach
Best for: Patients who want a strong initial brightening with long-term flexibility.
A Zoom session in the office for a big first jump, followed by custom trays and gel for easy maintenance and future refreshers.
SPOTLIGHT TREATMENT
Zoom® Teeth Whitening in a Single Visit
Zoom® Teeth Whitening is our in-office option for patients who want to see a big change right away. After a brief exam to make sure your teeth and gums are healthy, we protect your lips and gums, apply professional-strength gel, and activate it with a special light in several short cycles. Most people finish in about an hour with a noticeably brighter smile and only temporary, manageable sensitivity, if any.
Your whitening journey, step by step
We start with a careful exam and a shade check, then walk you through either an in-office Zoom® session, custom take-home trays, or a combination plan depending on your needs.
In-office Zoom® Teeth Whitening – step by step
Exam and shade selection
10–15 minutesWe examine your teeth and gums, make sure whitening is safe for you, and record your starting shade. Together we set a realistic goal for how light you'd like to go.
Cleaning and protection
10–15 minutesWe clean and polish your teeth, then protect your lips, cheeks, and gums with barrier materials and give you protective eyewear so only your enamel is exposed to the whitening gel.
Whitening gel and Zoom light
30–45 minutes (several cycles)Professional-strength whitening gel is applied to your teeth and activated with the Zoom light in short, controlled intervals. We check in between cycles, adjust as needed, and make sure you stay as comfortable as possible.
Rinse, review, and plan maintenance
10–15 minutesWe remove the gel and barriers, rinse thoroughly, and compare your new shade to where you started. Then we talk about how to maintain your results and whether custom trays or touch-ups would be helpful.
Custom take-home trays – step by step
Records and tray design
10–20 minutesWe take digital scans or impressions of your teeth so your trays can be made to fit closely over the enamel without leaking gel onto your gums.
Tray fitting and instructions
10–15 minutesWhen your trays are ready, we check the fit, review exactly how much gel to use, and show you how long to wear them each day or night.
Whitening at home
Several days to a few weeksYou follow the recommended schedule at home until you reach your desired shade. Because the trays are custom, they're more comfortable and effective than one-size-fits-all store kits.
Check-ins and touch-ups
OngoingWe can review your shade at regular visits, refill gel when you need it, and plan occasional touch-ups so your smile stays bright over time.
Safety and sensitivity
- •Professional whitening with dentist-supervised products like Zoom® has been shown to be safe when used as directed.
- •Some people notice temporary sensitivity during or just after whitening, but this usually settles within one to two days.
- •We can adjust gel strength, timing, and home-care products to help sensitive teeth stay comfortable.
- •Overusing store-bought strips or gels without supervision can irritate enamel and gums, which is why a quick exam and guidance are so important.
Longevity & Maintenance
Outcome Durability (based on longevity + maintenance needs)
Refresh-Dependent — Teeth whitening creates a strong immediate improvement, but results naturally fade over time due to diet and habits. Touch-up whitening helps maintain brightness.
Compared across similar treatment types.
How Long It Lasts
Most people enjoy their whitening results for six months to two years or longer, depending on diet, habits, and home care.
What Affects Longevity
Daily drinks (coffee, tea, red wine), smoking, foods with strong colourings, and natural thinning of enamel as we age all affect how long results last.
Routine Care
Brushing and flossing regularly, rinsing after dark beverages, avoiding or reducing smoking, and using custom trays for occasional touch-ups help maintain brightness.
Whitening before crowns, veneers, or implants
Whitening changes the colour of natural enamel, but not porcelain, ceramic, or existing fillings. If you're planning veneers, crowns, or implants, we usually recommend whitening first, letting the colour stabilise, and then matching your new restorations to your brighter shade so everything blends naturally.
Cost & coverage
What this typically costs
These ranges reflect what we typically see with insurance. We'll confirm your exact cost before any treatment begins.
Professional whitening
Great for weddings, big events or a simple refresh
$600–$700 per treatment
Most dental insurances do not cover cosmetic procedures.
We'll confirm your exact cost before any treatment begins.
Actual costs depend on treatment complexity and your specific insurance benefits. You'll receive a written estimate before we begin.
Care this helps with
Conditions and symptoms this procedure addresses
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