Teeth Whitening: What Works, What to Expect & Who It’s For

If your teeth have become darker or more stained over time, professional teeth whitening may help brighten the natural enamel. The best approach depends on the type of discoloration, the condition of your teeth and gums, and whether you have crowns, fillings or other restorations that will not whiten along with natural teeth.

Why Do Teeth Become Discolored?

Natural teeth can gradually darken or become stained for many reasons.

Common contributors include:

Different types of discoloration respond differently to whitening, which is why an evaluation can be helpful before treatment begins.

What Is Professional Take-Home Whitening?

Professional take-home whitening uses whitening gel provided through the dental office along with trays designed to fit your teeth.

The trays help hold the whitening material against the tooth surfaces in a controlled way while allowing treatment to be completed at home according to the instructions you receive.

Dr. Chin can recommend how often and how long the whitening system should be used based on the product and your individual needs.

Why Choose Dentist-Supervised Whitening?

Whitening products are widely available, but not every discoloration problem should automatically be treated with bleach.

A dental evaluation gives Dr. Chin an opportunity to look for conditions that may need attention first, such as cavities, gum problems, exposed root surfaces, cracks or significant tooth sensitivity.

It also allows you to understand which teeth can actually change color and which existing restorations will remain the same shade.

Will Whitening Change the Color of Crowns, Fillings or Veneers?

No. Whitening products change the color of natural tooth structure but generally do not change the color of porcelain, composite fillings, crowns, veneers or bridges.

That can be especially important when restorations are located on visible front teeth.

If you are considering replacement of an older cosmetic restoration, Dr. Chin may recommend planning the sequence of whitening and restorative treatment so the final shades work together as naturally as possible.

Does Teeth Whitening Cause Sensitivity?

Some people experience temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation during whitening.

The amount of sensitivity can vary depending on the whitening product, concentration, treatment time and your individual teeth.

If you already have sensitive teeth, let Dr. Chin know before treatment begins. Your whitening plan may need to be adjusted to make the process more comfortable.

How White Will My Teeth Get?

Results vary from person to person.

The starting shade of your teeth, the type of staining and how the enamel responds to whitening all affect the final result.

Professional whitening is designed to brighten natural teeth, but it cannot guarantee a specific shade or make every tooth identical in color.

How Long Do Whitening Results Last?

Teeth whitening is not permanent.

Your teeth can gradually pick up new stains over time, especially with frequent consumption of coffee, tea, red wine or other strongly colored foods and drinks, as well as tobacco use.

Some patients choose occasional touch-up whitening. How often that is appropriate depends on your teeth, your habits and the whitening system being used.

Who Should Be Evaluated Before Whitening?

It’s especially important to have your teeth evaluated before whitening if you have:

Whitening, Bonding or Veneers: Which Makes Sense?

Whitening changes the shade of natural teeth, but it does not change their shape, size or position.

If your concern is primarily tooth color, whitening may be worth considering first.

If you also want to change the shape, spacing or appearance of individual teeth, treatments such as dental bonding or porcelain veneers may be more appropriate depending on your goals and oral health.

Dr. Chin can help you understand the differences before you decide on treatment.