Need a whiter smile on a deadline?

Every smile is different. We’ll help you choose the path that fits your goals, sensitivity level, and timeline.

In-office whitening (fastest visible change)

• Ideal for: Deadlines (photo day, wedding week, interview)
• How it works: After isolating your gums and lips, we apply professional-strength gel in short, controlled cycles. The appointment typically takes 60–90 minutes.
• What you’ll notice: A visible shade changes the same day, with final shade settling over the next 48 hours.
• Maintenance: Many people pair this with custom trays for future touch-ups.

Custom take-home trays (steady, controlled brightening)

• Ideal for: Sensitive teeth, gradual whitening, or maintaining results
• How it works: We take digital impressions to create trays that hug your teeth. You’ll use a dentist-approved gel at home for 10–14 days (or as directed).
• What you’ll notice: A gradual, even brightening that you control by frequency and gel strength.
• Maintenance: Touch-up a few days before important events or when you notice stain build-up.

Combined plan (our most requested approach)

Start with the in-office boost for quick impact, then use custom trays for low-effort maintenance. It’s efficient, cost-effective over time, and keeps your smile ready for last-minute photos.

Short answer: usually, yes—or at least a quick check. Whitening works best on clean enamel that’s free of tartar and surface stain. That’s why many patients schedule dental cleaning and whitening near Edmonton on the same day:

1. Hygiene first: We remove plaque, tartar, and surface stains, and check your gums.
2. Whitening next: With a clean surface, the gel contacts enamel evenly for consistent results.
3. Shade check + photos: We record before/after shades so you can see the difference and plan maintenance.
   
   

If you had a recent cleaning elsewhere, bring the date. We’ll confirm if you’re good to proceed.

We keep the process comfortable and predictable from start to finish.

Step 1: Quick exam and shade mapping

We assess enamel and gums, note existing dental work (crowns, veneers, bonding won’t whiten), and map your starting shade.

Step 2: Prep & protect

Cheek retractors, lip balm, and a protective barrier keep soft tissues comfortable. If you’ve had sensitivity before, we add desensitizing gel before whitening begins.

Step 3: Whitening cycles

We apply professional gel in short sessions—monitoring shade and sensitivity along the way. You can pause at any time.

Step 4: Rinse, evaluate, and plan

We compare your new shade to baseline, take after photos, and go over 48-hour care (avoid deep-colored foods/drinks) plus your touch-up plan if you’re using trays.

A few simple habits help your new shade last.

• 48-hour color caution: Skip coffee, tea, red wine, cola, beets, turmeric-heavy foods, and tobacco. Clear or light foods/drinks are safest.
• Hydrate and rinse: Water helps reduce stain pick-up, especially with coffee or tea later on.
• Use a sensitivity-friendly toothpaste: If you notice twinges, switch to a formula with potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride.
• Touch-ups with custom trays: A day or two of at-home gel restores brightness before photos or events.
• Regular hygiene visits: Professional cleanings help keep surface stains from dulling your shade.

It can for some people—usually short-term. Here’s how we limit it:

• Pre-whitening check: We look for areas of thin enamel, recession, or existing sensitivity.
• Tailored gel strength: We choose concentration and wear time based on your history and goals.
• Desensitizing protocols: We can apply remineralizing agents in-office and send you home with a plan.
• Smart scheduling: If you’re using at-home trays, we may suggest every-other-day wear until you’re comfortable.

If you’ve had significant sensitivity with over-the-counter products, tell us—we’ll adapt the plan so you can still reach your goal without discomfort.

With good habits, many people enjoy brighter smiles for 6–24+ months. Longevity depends on your enamel, diet, and habits (coffee, tea, wine, and tobacco stain more quickly). Custom trays make it easy to top up before big moments, so you maintain a consistent, natural-looking shade over time.

Great candidates

• Healthy teeth and gums with surface or age-related yellowing
• Coffee/tea/red-wine drinkers who want a refresh
• Event timelines (weddings, grads, photoshoots, interviews)
• People who’ve whitened before and want a simple maintenance routine

We’ll discuss alternatives if

• You have intrinsic stains (e.g., tetracycline) that respond better to veneers or bonding
• You have untreated cavities, active gum disease, or significant recession (we’ll treat first)
• You expect crowns/veneers/bonding to whiten—these materials won’t change color and may require replacement for a perfect match