Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, and time all darken teeth. Professional whitening lifts that staining using a peroxide gel far stronger than anything sold over the counter, and the in-office treatment takes about an hour.

Not every kind of discolouration responds to whitening, though, and the honest answer depends on what caused yours. Dr. Wes Prepchuk assesses that before you book, so you know what result is realistic rather than finding out afterwards.

Teeth whitening is the process of removing stains and discolouration from the surface of teeth to make them appear whiter and brighter. It uses safe concentrations of bleaching gel that penetrate the tooth for an effective and long-lasting treatment.

There are many ways in which you can whiten your teeth. There are over-the-counter products such as whitening gels, toothpaste, and strips, at-home whitening kits, and professional in-office whitening treatments by a licensed dentist.

But how do you know which will work for you?

Generally, in-office professional whiteners are the most effective. The treatment is done by your dentist using whitening solutions with concentrated bleaching ingredients. Then, a LED light is used to enhance and accelerate the whitening effect. This helps you achieve the best results safely and quickly.

Readily available teeth whitening products do help to some extent. They are often recommended by dentists as maintenance to keep your teeth white after you get professional teeth whitening done. But, most of the time, you cannot expect great results with over-the-counter whiteners.

This is the question worth answering before anything else, because it decides whether whitening is money well spent.

Extrinsic staining: yes

Staining on the outer surface of the tooth, from coffee, tea, red wine, colas, soy sauce, curry, tomato-based sauces, and tobacco. This is the most common kind and it responds well to professional whitening.

Intrinsic staining: sometimes

Discolouration coming from inside the tooth, which can look grey, blue, or brownish. Causes include certain antibiotics taken in childhood, trauma to a tooth, excess fluoride during development, and the natural thinning of enamel with age that lets the darker dentin show through.

Intrinsic staining responds unpredictably. Some lightens usefully, some barely moves, and a single dark tooth after root canal treatment often needs a veneer or crown rather than whitening. We will look at your teeth and tell you which category you are in before you spend anything.

Restorations: no

Whitening gel works on natural enamel only. Crowns, veneers, and white fillings keep whatever shade they were made in. If you have visible restorations on your front teeth, whitening will lighten the teeth around them and leave those standing out, which usually means replacing them afterwards to match.

This is the single most common surprise in whitening, and it is the reason we check before you start rather than after.

In-office whitening

A single appointment of about an hour. We clean the teeth first so the gel contacts enamel rather than plaque, then protect your lips and gums with a barrier. A concentrated peroxide gel is applied and activated with an LED lamp across several cycles.

This produces the fastest and most noticeable change, and it is the right choice if you have an event coming up or simply want it done in one visit.

Custom take-home trays

Trays made from an impression of your own teeth, so the gel stays on the teeth rather than leaking onto your gums. You wear them for the period we specify, and the change happens gradually over one to two weeks, which gives you control over how far you take it.

We also offer Beam trays, which use a peroxide-free gel. If your teeth are sensitive, or peroxide has caused you problems before, this is the option to ask about.

Follow the wear time on your own instructions rather than a general rule. It varies considerably between gels, and wearing trays longer than directed causes sensitivity rather than whiter teeth.

Both together

The common approach is in-office whitening to get the result, then take-home trays to top it up every few months. That holds the shade for far longer than either on its own.

In-office whitening and take-home trays are priced differently, and we will tell you both before you decide. Midpark Dental follows the Alberta Dental Association Fee Guide, so you can compare our fee against the published provincial rate.

Whitening is cosmetic, so it is almost never covered by insurance. You will be paying out of pocket, which is another reason we tell you in advance whether your staining will actually respond.

How many shades whiter will my teeth go?

It varies considerably with the type and depth of your staining. Extrinsic staining from coffee, tea, and wine usually lifts several shades. Intrinsic discolouration may barely move. We assess your teeth and give you a realistic expectation before you book rather than a number from a brochure.

Does whitening damage your enamel?

Professionally supervised whitening at appropriate concentrations does not damage enamel. Overusing high-concentration gels, or wearing trays far longer than directed, can cause sensitivity and irritate the gums, which is why the wear time matters.

How long does it last?

Typically one to two years. Smoking and heavy coffee, tea, or red wine consumption shorten it considerably. Take-home top-ups extend it.

Will my crowns and fillings whiten too?

No. Whitening only affects natural enamel. Crowns, veneers, and white fillings keep their original shade, so visible restorations may need replacing after whitening to match.

Is it safe if my teeth are sensitive?

Usually yes, with adjustments. We can lower the concentration, shorten the cycles, apply a desensitising agent, or use the peroxide-free take-home gel. Tell us beforehand rather than on the day.

Can I whiten if I am pregnant?

We recommend waiting. There is no strong evidence of harm, but whitening is elective and there is no reason not to postpone it.

In-office or take-home: which is better?

In-office is faster and produces the biggest single change. Take-home is more gradual and gives you more control. Many patients do in-office first and maintain with trays, which holds the result longest.

Book a whitening consultation at Midpark Dental by calling (403) 201-7999 or booking online. We are at 201-239 Midpark Way SE, open from 7:00 am until 8:30 pm Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 am to 3:00 pm Friday. New patients are welcome, no referral is needed, and parking is free.