Quick answer: Professional whitening lightens the natural shade of the tooth using a peroxide gel, either in the office in a single visit or with custom take-home trays over a couple of weeks. Whitening toothpaste only removes surface stain and does not change the underlying shade. Crowns, veneers and fillings do not whiten at all.
Two different problems, often confused
Discoloured teeth fall into two broad categories, and they need different answers.
Extrinsic stain sits on the outside of the enamel and comes from coffee, tea, red wine, curry and tobacco. A professional cleaning and polish removes a lot of it, and whitening toothpastes with mild abrasives help keep it from returning.
Intrinsic shade is the colour of the tooth itself. It darkens naturally with age as enamel thins and the yellower dentine beneath shows through. No toothpaste changes this. Peroxide-based whitening does.
In-office whitening
A higher-concentration gel is applied under supervision with the gums protected, usually in a single appointment. It is the fastest route and it is done for you, which suits patients working to a date — a wedding, a reunion, a photograph.
Custom take-home trays
Trays are made from impressions of your teeth so the gel stays on the teeth and off the gums. You wear them for a set period each day over one to two weeks. The result is comparable to in-office treatment; it simply takes longer and puts you in control of the pace, which helps if you are prone to sensitivity.
What whitening cannot do
- It does not change restorations. Crowns, veneers, bridges and tooth-coloured fillings keep their existing shade. If you whiten and then look at an old front filling, it will suddenly look darker by contrast.
- It does not fix shape or position. Chips, gaps and crowding are separate problems, addressed by bonding, veneers or clear aligners.
- It does not treat the cause of a single dark tooth. One tooth darker than its neighbours often means the nerve has died, which needs investigating rather than bleaching.
Sensitivity
Temporary sensitivity during whitening is common and usually settles within a day or two of stopping. It can be reduced by shortening wear time, spacing sessions further apart, or using a desensitising product beforehand. Persistent sensitivity is worth mentioning rather than pushing through.
Why an exam comes first
Whitening gel on a tooth with untreated decay, an exposed root or leaking margin is uncomfortable and unhelpful. A short examination confirms that the teeth and gums are healthy enough for treatment and identifies whether whitening will actually achieve what you want.
How long results last
Anywhere from several months to a few years, depending mostly on diet and smoking. Occasional top-up sessions with take-home trays keep the result stable. To discuss what is realistic for your teeth, call (860) 756-5423.
Frequently asked questions
Does whitening toothpaste actually whiten teeth?
It removes surface stain from things like coffee, tea and tobacco, which can make teeth look brighter. It does not change the natural underlying shade of the tooth, which is what peroxide-based professional whitening does.
Will whitening work on crowns and veneers?
No. Crowns, veneers, bridges and tooth-coloured fillings do not respond to whitening gel and keep their existing shade. If you are planning both, whiten first and match the new restorations to the lighter shade afterwards.
Is teeth whitening safe for enamel?
Professional whitening carried out after a dental examination is well established. Temporary sensitivity is the most common side effect. Problems are more likely when gel is applied over untreated decay, exposed roots or leaking restorations, which is why an exam comes first.
How long do whitening results last?
Typically several months to a few years, depending largely on diet, coffee and tea consumption and smoking. Occasional top-ups with custom take-home trays maintain the result.
Why is one of my teeth darker than the others?
A single darkened tooth often indicates that the nerve inside it has died, frequently after trauma or deep decay. That needs investigating rather than whitening, because the cause is inside the tooth rather than on its surface.
Book with Connecticut Family Dental Group
Connecticut Family Dental Group is at 88 New Britain Avenue, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Call (860) 756-5423 or request an appointment. The practice is open Monday through Thursday.
This article is general information for patients and is not a substitute for an examination or individual clinical advice. If something in your mouth is painful, swollen or changing, call the practice.