COSMETIC DENTISTRY
Teeth Whitening
Professional whitening uses higher-concentration peroxide formulations than anything available over the counter, delivered through custom-fitted trays that ensure even contact with the tooth surface and minimize exposure to the gum tissue. The result is more consistent and more significant than strip or one-size tray products.
Before recommending whitening, Dr. Martin identifies the cause of discoloration — because not all staining responds to peroxide. Extrinsic staining from coffee, tea, or tobacco is a good candidate. Intrinsic discoloration from medications or developmental factors requires a different approach entirely. Existing restorations — crowns, veneers, bonding — don't change shade, which means whitening before replacing restorations produces a mismatch; Dr. Martin sequences treatment to avoid that. Results typically hold one to three years depending on dietary habits and maintenance. Patients leave with professional-grade take-home trays specifically because touch-ups are what extend results — a single whitening session without any follow-through fades faster than one supported by periodic at-home maintenance.
How does professional teeth whitening differ from over-the-counter products?
The primary difference is concentration and delivery. Professional whitening uses higher-concentration peroxide formulations — either in a supervised in-office application or in custom-fitted trays with professional-grade gel — that produce more significant and more consistent results than over-the-counter strips or trays. Custom trays ensure the gel contacts every surface of the tooth evenly and minimizes exposure to the gums, which reduces sensitivity and improves outcomes. At our practice, we evaluate the cause of discoloration before recommending a whitening approach, because not all staining responds to peroxide — intrinsic discoloration from medications or developmental factors, for example, requires a different solution entirely.
Will whitening damage my enamel?
When used as directed, professional whitening is considered safe for enamel — decades of research support this. The peroxide gel temporarily opens the enamel's surface pores to allow oxidation of chromogens (the stain molecules), then the enamel remineralizes naturally after treatment. Where patients run into problems is with overuse — whitening more frequently than recommended, or using too high a concentration for too long. At our practice, we recommend a protocol based on your current shade, sensitivity history, and goals, and we discuss how to maintain results with touch-ups rather than repeated full courses of treatment.
How long do whitening results last?
Results vary depending on dietary habits and how consistently maintenance is applied — typically one to three years before a meaningful touch-up is needed. Coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco are the primary culprits for restaining. Patients who avoid heavy exposure to staining foods and beverages and do periodic maintenance touch-ups with their custom trays tend to hold their results much longer. At our practice, we send patients home with professional-grade take-home trays alongside any in-office treatment, specifically because maintenance is what extends the result — a single whitening session without any home follow-through typically fades faster than one supported by periodic at-home touch-ups.
I have crowns, veneers, or bonding — will whitening work on those too?
No — and this is an important distinction to understand before starting any whitening treatment. Peroxide whitening only affects natural tooth structure. Restorations — including crowns, veneers, and composite bonding — will not change shade. This means that whitening your natural teeth may cause a mismatch with existing restorations, which could require replacement to match the new tooth color. At our practice, we assess your existing restorations before recommending whitening and have this conversation upfront so the treatment plan is sequenced correctly — typically whitening first and matching restorations to the new shade, rather than the other way around.
Begin with a
comprehensive evaluation.
Every patient relationship begins with a thorough assessment and an open conversation. We take the time to understand your history, concerns, and long-term goals before recommending treatment. Complete the form below and one of our team members will reach out to you soon.
Before
and after.
Explore real patient transformations made possible through Dr. Gregory Martin’s comprehensive, all-in-one approach to care. Results vary by individual. These images are provided for educational purposes and do not guarantee specific outcomes.