Teeth Whitening Treatments

Many people seek out dental whitening treatments as they notice that their teeth are getting stained over time. As much as you try to maintain proper dental hygiene, teeth staining and discoloration occur as we live our lives. Some common causes of teeth staining are:

• Food and drinks we consume that cause discoloration
• Poor dental hygiene
• A previous injury to your teeth
• Smoking
• Aging

Some factors are within our control and others, like aging, are not. The natural wear and tear of our enamel does cause staining over time.

Teeth whitening (or bleaching) treatments work by changing the color of your natural tooth enamel over time. Professional dental whitening treatments are one of the fastest and most effective ways to enhance your smile. You’ll see years of coffee stains fade away in no time.

Bleaching involves applying a concentrated amount of hydrogen peroxide solution to your tooth enamel. The solution acts as an oxidizing agent and works to lighten the color of your teeth. With the advancements in dental technology, you can see results in just one teeth whitening session.

Before committing to any treatment plan, it’s important to consider your oral health history as that will help us determine the best dental whitening service for you. Factors such as the current shade of your teeth, any previous restoration work you’ve had done, or teeth sensitivity are all factors that we take into consideration when discussing your treatment options.

If you have veneers or crowns, keep in mind that some of them might not respond to tooth whitening agents. It is also best to ensure that your gums and teeth are in good shape before committing to any whitening procedure, as not doing so before undergoing treatment could further weaken teeth that are already in a fragile state.

We’ll also perform a thorough cleaning to ensure that there is no plaque or tartar buildup before we apply gel for any teeth whitening treatment. We want to make sure your teeth are in the best shape they can be, before we make them look even better.

We offer two types of teeth whitening services:

At our office in Surrey and Langley our in-office dental whitening treatments cost around $450 depending on your needs.

At-home teeth whitening treatments are a little more budget friendly at $350 depending on your needs.

However, for the best results we recommend a combination of our in-office treatment and at-home whitening kits. This combo costs $600 on average.

What does the combo treatment look like? Two weeks prior to in office treatment we perform a 3D scan and send the results to the lab for custom bleaching tray creation. At your next appointment we’ll perform a 60 or 90 minute teeth whitening treatment for you, by brushing bleaching solution on the teeth in two to three 20 minute intervals. You’ll go home with your trays and use them according to directions. The take-home kits consist of custom fit bleaching trays, tubes of bleaching solution, desensitizing toothpaste and instructions.

All of our services are charged according to the BC fee guide issued from BCDA. Generally speaking, whitening treatments fall under cosmetic procedures and are not covered by most insurance providers. It is best to connect with your insurance provider to make sure you understand the full range of what is covered under your plan before committing to a treatment procedure.

It depends on how sensitive your teeth are. You’re welcome to book an appointment with us and we can discuss your dental whitening options.

You may experience sensitivity during the treatment process, but you shouldn’t experience this once your treatment is complete. If you are experiencing any pain or sensitivity after your teeth whitening sessions, please contact us with any concerns you have.

While this procedure is safe and effective, it should be done in moderation. Overdoing whitening treatments can cause long-lasting sensitivity and make your teeth fragile. We recommend spacing out your teeth whitening treatments. You shouldn’t have to receive treatment more than twice a year.

Treatments shouldn’t cause you to feel any pain, although those with teeth sensitivities may experience some discomfort. This is why we take the time to go over your dental history so you can decide whether a teeth whitening treatment would be a good fit for you.

Of course, you’ll continue having your morning coffees, and your teeth will naturally yellow again over time. Most patients who come in for an in-office whitening treatment keep their pearly white smiles for about a year, but you can extend that time to two or even three years with proper maintenance and care.

You can extend the longevity of your smile by taking good care of your teeth. Proper brushing and flossing techniques, preferably with an electric toothbrush, will keep your smile looking great for a long time. Try to avoid any foods or drinks that may stain your teeth – a good rule of thumb is that if a food or drink would stain a white t-shirt, it will probably stain your teeth too. Things to avoid or drink in moderation would include red wine, soda, coffee or tea.