Teeth whitening in South Edmonton
Professional whitening lightens the natural shade of your teeth with a peroxide gel, in custom trays or in the practice. It does not change the colour of fillings, crowns or veneers, so existing dental work can end up looking darker than the teeth around it.
What happens
From the first appointment to the result
Whichever route you take, it starts the same way.
Your options
Three ways to do it
They reach a similar place. The difference is how fast, and how much of it happens at home.
Before you start
Three things worth knowing
Whitening is safe and the result is easy to predict. It just does not do everything people expect it to.
In the practice, or a kit from the shop?
Professional whitening
- A stronger gel, with your gums protected.
- Trays moulded to your teeth, so the gel sits where it should.
- Checked first, so nothing is bleached over decay.
- Sensitivity managed as it happens, by changing the pace or the gel.
Over-the-counter
- A weaker gel, so the change is smaller and slower.
- One tray shape for every mouth, so the gel leaks onto the gums.
- No examination first.
- Cheaper, and the commonest reason people tell us whitening did not work.
Shop-bought strips are not dangerous and they do lighten a little. The gap is how much, how evenly, and whether anything was checked before you started.
Afterwards
Keeping the result
Teeth pick colour back up gradually. How fast depends almost entirely on what you drink.
Dr. Gordon Poznikoff
Dr. David Osborne
Dr. Kim Tan
Dr. Siew TanReady to visit?
We're easy to reach.
780-434-8749
In Heritage Square, right next to the IDA Pharmacy
FAQ
What does teeth whitening cost?
We go over the quote with you before any work is done. We bill your insurer directly wherever your plan allows it. We make every attempt to work with your insurer so your plan covers as much as it can, and what a plan finally pays is the insurer's decision. The practice is a registered provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan. There is more on fees and insurance.
How is this different from a whitening kit from the pharmacy?
Professional gel is stronger, and custom trays hold it against the teeth rather than letting it wash over the gums. A dentist also checks first that the discolouration is the kind that whitening actually treats.
Will it whiten my crowns and fillings?
No. Whitening only affects natural tooth enamel. If you have visible crowns, veneers or white fillings at the front, they will stay the shade they are, which is worth planning around before you begin.
Does it damage enamel?
Used as directed and supervised, professional whitening does not damage enamel. Temporary sensitivity to cold during and shortly after treatment is common and settles.
How long does it last?
Usually months to a couple of years, depending on coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. Many people keep their trays and do a short top-up rather than repeating the full course.
Why are my teeth not getting whiter?
Not all discolouration responds. Staining from within the tooth, from certain medications or from trauma, behaves differently to surface staining and may need a different approach.