Teeth whitening
Professional-strength whitening gel, either applied in the chair or in custom trays you wear at home, to lift years of staining.
How long
In-chair ~90 mins; home kits 2–3 weeks
How long it lasts
1–3 years depending on diet and habits
Anaesthetic
None
What's involved
Dentist-supervised whitening uses a stronger, regulated gel than anything sold over the counter — in the UK, only a dental professional can legally provide it above 0.1% hydrogen peroxide.
Home kits use trays moulded to your teeth so the gel sits evenly and doesn't burn the gums. In-chair whitening gets you a faster result in a single appointment.
Whitening only works on natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers and fillings won't change shade, so if you're having other cosmetic work it's normally done before, not after.
Common questions
- Will it make my teeth sensitive?
- Some short-term sensitivity is common and usually settles within a few days. A desensitising gel helps.
- Is shop-bought whitening the same?
- No. High-street and salon kits are far weaker (or illegal at higher strengths) and can damage gums if trays don't fit.
- How white will I go?
- Most people lift several shades. Your dentist can predict a realistic result from your starting shade.