What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry treatment that uses a stronger, dentist-supervised bleaching agent to lift stains and brighten your natural tooth color well beyond what whitening toothpaste or drugstore strips can achieve. Because it’s done under our supervision, we’re able to customize the strength and timing of your treatment to your teeth and your comfort, which is something a one-size-fits-all store bought kit simply can’t offer.
Why Your Teeth Might Not Be White
Teeth naturally lose their brightness over time for a number of reasons, including:
- Coffee, tea, red wine, and other staining foods and drinks
- Tobacco use, including smoking and chewing tobacco
- The natural aging process, as enamel thins and the yellower layer underneath becomes more visible
- Certain medications, particularly some antibiotics taken during childhood
- Poor oral health, since plaque and surface buildup can make teeth look duller over time
The good news is that in most cases, professional whitening can address this discoloration effectively, restoring a noticeably brighter smile.
Our Approach to Teeth Whitening
We use Opalescence™ Go, a professional whitening system designed to safely and effectively brighten your smile. Our whitening process combines at-home whitening with an in-office treatment for a more comprehensive result. We chose this system in part because it’s the brand with the least amount of post-op sensitivity, which means a brighter smile without the discomfort that can come with other whitening approaches.
Step 1: Whiten at Home for 5 Days
Your treatment starts at home with 5 pre-filled whitening trays, one for each day. These trays begin lifting stains right away and also prepare your teeth for the in-office treatment that follows, helping you get more out of that appointment. The take-home trays work gradually, opening up the pores of your teeth so they can accept the whitening gel in small, controlled increments, which is part of why this approach keeps post-op sensitivity so low compared to a single, more concentrated treatment.
Step 2: In-Office Whitening
After your 5 days of at-home whitening, you’ll come in for your in-office treatment. Because your teeth have already been prepped by the take-home trays, this professional treatment is able to boost your results further than starting from scratch, giving you a noticeably brighter smile in a single visit.
Step 3: Keep Your Smile Bright
Once your in-office treatment is complete, you’ll receive 5 additional whitening trays to take home. These are yours to use whenever you want to touch up your smile down the road, whether that’s a few weeks or a few months later, so maintaining your results is always within easy reach.
How Does This Approach Work for Patients With Extra Sensitivity Issues?
Wearing the trays for about 30 minutes a day allows your teeth to adjust gradually, which keeps sensitivity to a minimum. However, we also recommend brushing with a sensitivity toothpaste like Sensodyne during your treatment, and applying your trays at night, right before bed, without rinsing with water afterward. This way, the whitening gel has time to work undisturbed while you sleep.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Teeth whitening is not a painful procedure, though some patients experience mild, temporary tooth sensitivity, particularly to hot or cold, during or shortly after treatment. Our approach, starting with a gradual at-home phase before any in-office treatment, is specifically designed to keep this sensitivity as low as possible, and any discomfort typically fades within a day or two.
Teeth Whitening vs Teeth Cleaning
It’s common for patients to wonder how teeth whitening and a dental cleaning relate to each other, and the truth is they serve two different purposes entirely. A dental cleaning removes plaque and tartar to protect your oral health, while teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment focused purely on the color of your teeth. Because they address different things, most patients benefit from both, and we generally recommend a cleaning before starting whitening so you’re getting the brightest, most accurate result.
| Teeth Whitening | Teeth Cleaning | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Brightens the color of your teeth | Removes plaque and tartar buildup |
| Classification | Cosmetic treatment | Preventive treatment |
| Who performs it | Performed with dentist supervision, combining at-home and in-office treatment | Performed by your dental hygienist |
| How often | As needed to maintain results, often every several months to a year with touch-up trays | Recommended twice a year as part of routine preventive care |
How to Maintain White Teeth After the Process
As part of our educational approach to care, Dr. Solomon Borukhov and our team will walk you through simple tips for keeping your smile bright after whitening. This isn’t about cutting out your favorite foods and drinks completely, it’s about being aware of the impact they can have on your smile so you can make small adjustments and enjoy them in moderation.
Coffee & Tea
Deeply pigmented and one of the most common causes of staining, enjoy in moderation and consider rinsing with water afterward.
Red Wine
Both acidic and heavily pigmented, a combination that makes staining more likely over time.
Dark Sauces & Berries
Foods like soy sauce, tomato sauce, and berries can gradually dull your results if eaten often.
Tobacco Products
Smoking and chewing tobacco are among the fastest ways to undo whitening results.
A Straw for Dark Drinks
Using a straw for coffee, tea, or dark sodas helps limit contact with your front teeth.
Consistent Oral Hygiene
Brushing twice a day and flossing daily helps prevent new surface staining from building up.
Schedule Your Teeth Whitening Consultation
Ready for a brighter smile? Call Infinity Smiles or book a consultation online today to see if professional teeth whitening is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does teeth whitening last?
Professional teeth whitening results typically last from several months up to a year or more, depending on your habits.
Staining foods and drinks, tobacco use, and how consistent you are with oral hygiene all affect how long your results stay bright, which is why we also provide take-home touch-up trays as part of your treatment.
Is professional teeth whitening safe?
Yes, professional teeth whitening performed under dentist supervision is a safe, well established cosmetic treatment.
Because we customize the strength and timing of your treatment and monitor you along the way, professional whitening carries less risk of sensitivity or uneven results than over the counter alternatives.
How much whiter will my teeth get?
Results vary from patient to patient, but most people see several shades of improvement with our combined at-home and in-office approach.
Your starting shade, the cause of your discoloration, and how closely you follow your at-home instructions all play a role in your final results.
Can veneers or crowns be whitened?
No, whitening treatments only work on natural tooth enamel and will not change the color of veneers, crowns, or other dental restorations.
If you have existing restorations and are considering whitening, it’s worth discussing timing with us, since whitening your natural teeth first can help us match any new restorations to your brighter shade.
