In-office whitening
After your gums are protected, a whitening gel is applied to the teeth at the practice. Suited to patients who want a clear result in a single session.
Treatments · Cosmetic Dentistry
Teeth whitening
Teeth darkened by coffee, tea, smoking or age can be lightened safely under a dentist's supervision, without harming the enamel. At your examination we measure your shade and choose the right method together.
- Session time
- In-office: about 1–1.5 hours
- At-home
- 1–2 weeks with custom trays
- How long it lasts
- 1–2 years on average, with care
- Sensitivity
- Possible, passes in a few days
Whitening methods
At-home whitening
Custom clear trays are made from impressions of your teeth. You wear them at home with a gel prescribed by the dentist for 1–2 weeks, for a gradual, controlled result.
Combined whitening
Starts with an in-office session and continues with at-home trays. Chosen for stubborn staining or when the lightest result is the goal.
Who is it suitable for?
Good candidates
- Teeth stained by coffee, tea, smoking and similar habits
- Teeth that have yellowed with age
- Patients who want to lighten neighbouring teeth before veneers or zirconia crowns
Things to consider
- Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Untreated decay or gum disease must be treated first
- Fillings, crowns and veneers do not change colour with whitening
- Results may be limited for medication-related (e.g. tetracycline) discolouration
How is it done?
- STEP 1
Examination and cleaning
Teeth and gums are checked, with a scale and polish if needed.
- STEP 2
Shade measurement
Your starting shade is recorded with the VITA guide and a target is agreed together.
- STEP 3
Application
Gums are protected and the whitening gel is applied according to the chosen method.
- STEP 4
Check-up
The result is measured with the same guide and care advice is given.
Aftercare tips
- Avoid coffee, tea, cola, red wine and smoking for the first 48 hours.
- Avoid coloured sauces and dyed drinks for a few days.
- If you feel sensitivity, use the desensitising toothpaste your dentist recommends.
- Have a check-up and cleaning every 6 months to keep the result.
Whitening or veneers?
Whitening lightens the natural tooth itself and does not change its shape. If your teeth have shape problems, gaps, chips or dark discolouration that whitening cannot lift, porcelain veneers or zirconia crowns may be a better fit. The right choice becomes clear at the examination.
See all treatments
Your dentistDt.Mehmet Ali Arslan
Istanbul University Faculty of Dentistry (Çapa), 2008. Since 2009 he has worked at his own practice in Zeytinburnu, focusing on cosmetic dentistry and dental implants.
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FAQ
Teeth whitening FAQ
How many shades lighter will my teeth get?
It depends on your starting shade and the cause of the staining. Most patients see a clear lightening of several shades. Your starting shade is measured at the examination and you are given a realistic target.
Is teeth whitening permanent?
It is not permanent, but it lasts. Depending on diet and care, the effect lasts 1–2 years on average and can be refreshed with a short at-home course.
Does whitening damage the teeth?
Whitening done under a dentist's supervision at the right concentration does not permanently harm the enamel. Temporary sensitivity may occur and passes within a few days.
Will my teeth be sensitive afterwards?
Some patients feel temporary sensitivity to hot and cold. It usually passes on its own within a few days; a desensitising toothpaste helps.
Do over-the-counter whitening products work?
Whitening toothpastes mostly remove surface stains and do not noticeably change the tooth's own colour. High-concentration products used without supervision can irritate the gums.
Will my fillings or crowns whiten too?
No. Fillings, zirconia crowns and veneers do not change colour with whitening. If you have such restorations in visible areas, they may need replacing after whitening; we plan this together at the examination.
Get your shade measured
At your examination we measure your shade and explain the right method and the result you can expect.