Teeth Whitening
At Yonge & St. Clair.
Professional teeth whitening can brighten natural teeth that have become darker or stained over time. We offer whitening options based on your teeth, your goals and how quickly you'd like to see a change.
Professional teeth whitening
A brighter smile without changing your teeth.
Teeth naturally change colour over time. Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and other factors can also contribute to staining and discolouration.
Whitening uses a bleaching agent to lighten the colour of natural tooth structure. It doesn't change the shape or position of your teeth, and it doesn't require removing healthy tooth structure.
Before whitening, we can assess your teeth and discuss whether whitening is likely to address what you're seeing.
Your options
In-office or at home.
Zoom in-office whitening
For patients looking for a faster change.
Whitening gel is applied to the teeth during an appointment in our office. The treatment allows the whitening process to be completed in a controlled clinical setting over a relatively short period of time.
Take-home whitening
For patients who prefer to whiten more gradually.
Custom trays allow whitening gel to be used at home according to the instructions we provide. This approach gives you more control over the pace of whitening and can also be useful for future touch-ups.
Neither approach is automatically better. The right option depends on your starting tooth colour, sensitivity, preferences and how quickly you'd like to see a change.
The process
Before we whiten, we look at the whole smile.
Assess
We look at your teeth, existing dental work and the type of discolouration you're hoping to change.
Plan
We'll discuss the result you're looking for, the whitening approach that makes sense and any factors that may affect the outcome.
Whiten
Treatment is completed in the office or at home depending on the approach selected.
Before you whiten
Fillings, crowns and veneers don't whiten with your teeth.
Whitening works on natural tooth structure. Existing tooth-coloured fillings, bonding, crowns and porcelain veneers will not lighten in the same way.
That doesn't necessarily prevent you from whitening. It simply means that existing dental work, particularly on visible front teeth, should be considered before treatment.
If you're planning bonding, veneers or other visible dental work as well, we may recommend whitening first so the final tooth colour can be considered when planning those restorations.
Common questions
Common questions about teeth whitening.
Does professional teeth whitening work?+
Whitening can lighten many types of staining and discolouration in natural teeth, but results vary depending on the starting colour of the teeth and the cause of the discolouration. An assessment helps determine whether whitening is likely to address your concern.
How white will my teeth get?+
There isn't one predictable shade that every person's teeth will reach. Your starting tooth colour, the nature of the staining and how your teeth respond to whitening all influence the result. Our goal is to help you understand what is realistically achievable before treatment.
How long does teeth whitening last?+
Whitening is not permanent. Over time, teeth can gradually darken again as they continue to age and are exposed to foods, drinks and other sources of staining. Some patients choose occasional touch-ups to maintain their result.
Does teeth whitening cause sensitivity?+
Temporary sensitivity can occur during or after whitening. If you already experience tooth sensitivity, tell us before treatment so we can take that into account when discussing your options.
Does whitening work on crowns, veneers or fillings?+
No. Whitening changes the colour of natural tooth structure but does not lighten porcelain, composite fillings, bonding or crowns. Existing dental work should therefore be considered when planning whitening.
Should I whiten before getting bonding or veneers?+
Often it makes sense to establish the desired tooth colour before placing visible bonding or porcelain restorations, because those materials do not subsequently whiten with your natural teeth. The appropriate sequence depends on your treatment plan.
Is professional whitening different from whitening toothpaste or over-the-counter products?+
Whitening toothpastes primarily help remove surface staining rather than changing the underlying colour of teeth. Other over-the-counter whitening products vary in their formulation and how they are used. Professional whitening allows us to assess your teeth first and recommend an approach based on your oral health and goals.
Related care
Thinking about whitening your teeth?
We can help you understand your options and whether whitening is likely to give you the change you're looking for.
Or feel free to email us at reception@smilemail.ca. We reply to appointment requests within one business day.