Professional teeth whitening starts with an examination
At the clinic, whitening is carried out under the supervision of a dentist, with materials designed for dental use.
Every whitening treatment starts with a thorough assessment: an examination of the teeth and gums, dental X-rays when needed, and a conversation about your expectations. Decay or gum problems are treated first, then a whitening plan is built for you. Dr Haim Aseriel, a US-trained dentist (DDS, NYU College of Dentistry), explains each step in English.
Protecting the health of the teeth is part of the process: whitening follows accepted protocols, with the gums protected and sensitivity monitored throughout.
Teeth whitening options: in-office, at-home or both
The clinic's teeth whitening service offers two methods, which can be combined: in-office whitening, without a laser, and at-home whitening with custom-made trays, chosen according to your teeth, your sensitivity, the type of stains and your schedule. There is no single "best teeth whitening".
In-office whitening
In-office whitening (in-office bleaching) is carried out under professional supervision and gives a noticeable result in a single session. A relatively high-concentration gel is applied after the gums have been protected. Temporary tooth sensitivity is common afterwards, so the protocol is adapted to each patient.
Supervised at-home whitening
Clear trays are custom-made to fit your teeth, which limits contact between the gel and your gums. You fill them with a milder whitening gel and wear them at home for the recommended time. The advantages: convenience, control over the pace, and usually less sensitivity, because the concentration is lower.
Combining both methods
In some cases, treatment starts at the clinic and continues at home. How much lighter the teeth become varies from person to person and depends on the starting shade and the type of stains.
When whitening is not enough, cosmetic dentistry offers other solutions, such as porcelain veneers or zirconia crowns.
Store-bought whitening kits or dentist-supervised whitening?
Whitening kits sold in stores (strips, gels and trays) are also peroxide-based, but according to the ADA they use lower concentrations than dentist-prescribed products, so they usually take longer. Trays that do not fit well can irritate the gums for a while, whereas trays made by the dentist limit contact between the gel and the gums. The ADA recommends consulting a dentist before whitening, to find the cause of the discoloration and spot decay or restorations that will not lighten. A whitening toothpaste mainly removes surface stains; for home remedies, see natural teeth whitening.
What causes tooth discoloration?
Extrinsic (surface) stains come mainly from colored foods and drinks such as coffee, tea and red wine. Smoking and tobacco in any form also leave dark deposits that deepen over time and are hard to remove at home.
Intrinsic stains develop inside the tooth: certain medications taken in childhood (tetracycline), excess fluoride, an injury that caused internal bleeding, or natural aging, as the pulp shrinks and the outer enamel becomes thinner.
With age, the enamel gradually wears and reveals the more yellowish dentin underneath. Tooth decay and old silver (amalgam) fillings can also make teeth look darker. More on yellow teeth. Identifying the type of stain allows the whitening protocol to be adapted to you.
A dark tooth after a root canal: internal whitening
A tooth that darkened, for example after an injury or the death of the nerve, may stay dark after root canal treatment. According to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), the root canal itself does not discolor the tooth, and when the tooth still does not match its neighbors it can be whitened from the inside. External whitening acts mainly on the surface, so for such a tooth the whitening agent is placed inside the tooth. According to the ADA, root resorption has been reported after internal whitening in rare cases, so it is done after an examination and with follow-up.
Teeth whitener: how does the whitening gel work?
A professional teeth whitener usually contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as the active ingredient. Applied to the tooth surface, the peroxide breaks down into oxygen free radicals that react with the dark pigment molecules that have penetrated the enamel.
This oxidation breaks the chemical bonds of the pigment molecules and makes them colorless. Results vary from patient to patient and depend on the type of stains, the starting shade and the structure of the enamel. Deep tetracycline stains or fluorosis may respond less well, and other cosmetic options may then be considered.
Temporary, mild to moderate sensitivity is common at the start of treatment: according to the ADA, it affects up to two thirds of patients. According to a Cochrane review, the side effects of at-home whitening are usually mild and temporary, and more frequent with higher concentrations of whitening agent.
Some systems use light or a laser to speed up the breakdown of the peroxide. However, according to a systematic review and meta-analysis, light activation of the whitening gel does not clearly improve the color change and does not change sensitivity (Maran BM et al., Journal of Dentistry, 2018). More on laser teeth whitening, which the clinic does not use. In every in-office whitening, the soft tissues of the mouth are carefully protected to prevent irritation or burns.
What whitening does not lighten
Crowns, veneers and tooth-colored (composite) fillings keep their color: whitening only works on natural teeth, so after whitening a restoration on a front tooth may look darker than the teeth around it. When you have such restorations, plan ahead: teeth are usually whitened first, and the restoration is replaced afterwards to match the new shade. Deep stains inside the tooth also respond less to external whitening.
Examination, treatment plan and price quote
detailed and personalized
During the consultation, Dr Haim Aseriel examines your teeth, explains all the options and gives you a transparent price quote, with no obligation. The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street, Jerusalem.
Keeping teeth white after whitening
Once you have a brighter smile, a few habits help keep it. Maintaining white teeth requires careful daily oral hygiene and avoiding staining substances.
01
Brush twice a day
Keep brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste; a whitening toothpaste can help maintain the shade.
02
Floss and mouthwash
Flossing and an antibacterial mouthwash complete the hygiene routine.
03
Regular check-ups
Regular dental check-ups help keep teeth healthy and catch problems early.
Limit dark drinks such as coffee, black tea, red wine and cola, which can stain teeth. Smoking and tobacco are major enemies of white teeth. If you do not want to give these drinks up, use a straw to reduce contact with the teeth and rinse your mouth with water right afterwards.
Teeth whitening price: what affects the cost?
Price is naturally part of the decision. The clinic does not publish a price list: the cost depends on several factors, and you receive a written quote after the examination.
The price of teeth whitening depends on the method chosen, the number of sessions needed and the starting condition of the teeth.
Teeth with severe intrinsic stains may need more intensive treatment or more sessions, which affects the final cost.
| Criterion | At-home whitening | In-office whitening |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Custom trays with a milder gel | Higher-concentration gel at the clinic |
| Results | Gradual, over a longer period | Faster, in a single visit |
| Sensitivity | Usually less | More frequent, temporary |
| Cost | Usually more affordable | Higher |
After treatment you receive itemized receipts that you can submit to your insurer; whether whitening is reimbursed depends on your policy, so check with your insurer beforehand.
Looking for teeth whitening near you? The clinic is at 12 HaTnufa Street in Talpiot, south Jerusalem; hours: Sun 8:00–19:00 · Mon 9:00–19:00 · Tue–Wed 9:00–21:00 · Thu 8:30–21:00 · Fri 8:00–14:00.
Teeth whitening: frequently asked questions
Professional teeth whitening is done in two main ways: in-office whitening, with a higher-concentration gel applied under the dentist's supervision, which visibly lightens the teeth in a single visit; and at-home whitening with custom-made trays and a milder gel, supervised by the dentist. The two methods are sometimes combined: treatment starts at the clinic and continues at home.
A professional teeth whitener usually contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide as its active ingredient. Applied to the tooth surface, the peroxide breaks down into oxygen free radicals that react with the dark pigment molecules that have penetrated the enamel, making them colorless.
The price of teeth whitening depends on the method chosen, the number of sessions needed, the starting condition of the teeth and the type of stains. At-home whitening with custom trays is usually the more affordable option, but the result is more gradual. An exact quote is given after an examination.
Teeth whitening often causes temporary, mild to moderate sensitivity at the start of treatment: according to the American Dental Association (ADA), it affects up to two thirds of patients and usually goes away. Side effects are more frequent with higher concentrations of whitening agent.
Keeping teeth white after whitening requires careful daily oral hygiene and cutting down on staining foods and drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine and cola, and on smoking. People who drink these beverages can use a straw and rinse their mouth with water right afterwards.
Sources
- American Dental Association, Whitening (Oral Health Topics), 2022 – View the page
- Eachempati P et al., Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2018 – View the study
- Maran BM et al., Journal of Dentistry, 2018 – View the study
- American Association of Endodontists, Root Canal Explained – View the page
