ServicesTeeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening in Auburn
We lighten stained and yellowed teeth with professional-strength gel, either in our chair or with trays you wear at your own pace. First we check your teeth and gums. Then we tell you in writing what it costs and what shade change is realistic.
What professional whitening can and can't do
Coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco leave stains that brushing won't lift. Teeth also get darker with age as the outer enamel thins. A peroxide gel goes into the enamel and breaks down those stains. It works best on yellow and brown tones.
It has limits, and we tell you about them up front. Crowns, veneers and tooth-colored fillings won't change color. Gray staining from old medications or a tooth that died after an injury often needs a different fix. If whitening isn't the right tool for your smile, we say so before you spend anything.
Before we start, you get a written quote. It lists the method, the visits and any touch-up gel. You won't find add-ons on the bill that weren't on that page.
What your whitening includes
A check before any gel
We look for cavities, worn enamel, exposed roots and gum irritation. Whitening gel on an open cavity or a receding gumline can hurt. Those get handled first.
Shade record
We match your starting shade against a guide and write it down. You can see the change for yourself at the end instead of guessing.
In-office whitening
A stronger gel goes on in our chair while your gums are covered and protected. It is the faster route, usually one longer visit.
Custom take-home trays
We take impressions and make trays that fit your teeth closely, so the gel stays on the teeth and off your gums. You wear them for a set time each day over a couple of weeks.
Sensitivity plan
Some patients feel short zings during or after whitening. We can space out sessions, use a milder gel or give you a desensitizing product to keep things comfortable.
Touch-up advice
We tell you how long results usually last with your habits and when a short touch-up makes sense.
Signs whitening may be right for you
- Yellowing that keeps creeping back
- Your teeth look brighter after a cleaning, then dull again within weeks. That pattern usually means surface and inner stain that whitening handles well.
- Coffee or tea every day
- Daily drinks with strong color build up stain over the years. Whitening resets the shade, and we'll talk through how to slow the stain from coming back.
- Store-bought strips didn't do much
- Drugstore products use weaker gel and strips that don't fit every tooth. Professional gel and fitted trays reach more of the surface evenly.
- A big event on the calendar
- A wedding, photos or a new job are common reasons. Give yourself a few weeks so there's time for an exam and any work that should come first.
- You're planning other dental work
- If you need a crown or new front fillings, whitening first lets us match the new work to your lighter shade. Our Crowns & Bridges and Fillings pages explain those treatments.
How a whitening visit goes
- 1
Exam and cleaning
We check your teeth and gums and record your shade. If you're due, a cleaning clears off surface stain and plaque so the gel works evenly. Our Exams & Cleanings page covers that visit.
- 2
Written quote
You get the method we suggest, the number of visits and the full cost on paper. You decide whether to go ahead.
- 3
Whitening day or tray fitting
For in-office whitening, we protect your gums and lips, apply the gel in rounds and check the shade between rounds. For take-home trays, we fit them, show you how much gel to use and how long to wear them.
- 4
Follow-up
We compare your new shade to where you started. If sensitivity came up, we adjust the plan. You go home with simple steps to help the color last.
What moves the cost of whitening
The price depends mostly on the method and how much prep your teeth need. Most dental insurance plans treat whitening as cosmetic, so it is often not covered, but we'll look at your plan with you. Whatever applies to you shows up in your written quote before we begin.
- In-office or take-home
- In-office whitening uses more chair time and stronger gel. Take-home trays cost less in chair time but include making the custom trays.
- Work needed first
- A cleaning, a small filling or treatment for gum irritation may come before whitening. Those are listed separately so you can see each piece.
- How stubborn the stain is
- Heavy or older stain can take extra rounds or more gel. We tell you at the exam if we expect that.
- Touch-up gel
- If you keep your trays, refills of gel for later touch-ups are a small added cost you can choose or skip.
- Ways to pay
- We accept most dental insurance plans for the exam and cleaning. Patients without insurance can use our Office Dental Plan, and the CareCredit Patient Payment Plan is available for spreading out the cost.
Teeth whitening questions
- Does whitening hurt?
- Most patients feel nothing or a few brief zings of sensitivity. It usually fades within a day or two. If you already have sensitive teeth, tell us. We can use a milder gel, shorter sessions or a desensitizing product.
- How white will my teeth get?
- It depends on your starting shade and the kind of stain. Yellow and brown stain usually lightens well. Gray stain changes less. We give you a realistic idea at the exam instead of promising a number.
- Will whitening change my crowns or fillings?
- No. Crowns, veneers and tooth-colored fillings stay the same color. If they sit in your smile line, they may look darker next to newly whitened teeth. We point that out before you start so there are no surprises.
- How long do the results last?
- Many people keep a good result for a year or more. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking bring stain back faster. A short touch-up with your trays is usually enough to bring the shade back up.
- Can my teenager get their teeth whitened?
- We generally wait until the permanent teeth are fully in and the nerves have settled, and we decide case by case. For younger children, our Kids' Dentistry page covers the care that matters more at that age.
- Is whitening safe for my enamel?
- Professional whitening gel, used as directed, does not wear away enamel. Problems come from overusing products or putting gel on teeth with open cavities. That is why we check your teeth first and give you clear instructions.
Ready for a brighter smile?
Start with an exam so we can see what whitening will do for your teeth. You'll get a written quote before any gel goes on.