Lincoln Park
939 W North Ave, Suite 890
Chicago, IL 60642
Cosmetic
Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic treatment that uses a peroxide gel to lift stains out of the enamel, brightening natural tooth structure without removing any of it.
What whitening can and cannot change
Whitening is the least invasive cosmetic treatment we offer, which is why we usually suggest trying it before anything permanent. No enamel is removed and nothing is drilled, so if the result falls short of what you wanted, every other option is still open to you. We whiten in the office with a stronger gel applied under supervision, then send you home with custom trays. Most people end up using both: the in-office session does the work, the trays hold it.
Whitening only lifts stains out of natural enamel. Crowns, veneers, bonding, and tooth-colored fillings stay whatever shade they were made in, so when there are visible restorations at the front of your mouth we whiten first and match the new work to the brighter shade afterwards. Some discoloration does not respond to peroxide at all. Grey banding from tetracycline, a single dark tooth after an old root canal, and the chalky spots left by fluorosis are usually better handled with Bioclear or porcelain veneers. We would rather tell you that at the consultation than after you have paid for whitening that was never going to work.
We look at your teeth and gums before we whiten them. Peroxide on an untreated cavity or inflamed gum tissue is uncomfortable and sometimes makes things worse, so a cleaning and exam come first. Whitening is elective, which means dental insurance does not cover it, and we quote it as self-pay in writing before you book. Both membership plans include a take-home whitening kit.
Photos say more than descriptions here. Our smile gallery has before-and-after cases from our own patients, treated by our own dentists.
Who it's a good fit for
- You want a brighter smile and would rather start with the option that removes no enamel
- Your teeth have yellowed from coffee, tea, red wine, or years of ordinary staining
- You have an event coming up and want to know how far ahead to start whitening
- You tried drugstore strips and got patchy results or too much sensitivity
- You want to know whether whitening or veneers is the right call before you commit
What to expect
- Consult: shade check, photos, and a look at any crowns or fillings up front
- Cleaning and exam first, so the gel goes onto healthy teeth and gums
- In-office session: gum barrier placed, then gel applied in timed rounds
- Custom trays taken so you can top up at home and hold the result
- Sensitivity for a day or two is common and settles on its own
Common questions
- How long does professional whitening last?
- Usually 6 to 24 months. The range is that wide because it depends on what you drink, whether you smoke, and how often you use the take-home trays. Coffee, tea, and red wine are the usual culprits. Patients who run a tray for a night or two every few months hold the result far longer than patients who whiten once and stop.
- Is in-office whitening better than take-home trays?
- They do different jobs. The in-office gel is stronger and is applied with your gums protected, so it moves the shade further in one sitting. Take-home trays are milder and work over several nights, which makes them better for maintenance and for anyone with sensitive teeth. We normally do the in-office session first and send you home with trays to hold and extend it.
- Will whitening work on my crowns or veneers?
- No. Porcelain and composite hold whatever shade they were made in, and no gel will change that. If you have a crown, veneer, or bonded filling in the visible part of your smile, whitening the teeth around it will make the restoration look darker by comparison. The usual sequence is to whiten first, wait for the shade to settle, then remake the restoration to match.
- Does whitening damage enamel?
- Professionally supervised whitening does not remove enamel. The gel opens the enamel surface temporarily so peroxide can reach the stains underneath, which is why teeth can feel sensitive for a day or two afterwards, and why we ask you to avoid staining foods during that window. The sensitivity is temporary. Enamel loss comes from grinding, acid, and aggressive brushing, not from supervised whitening.
- How white will my teeth actually get?
- We will not promise you a shade. How far a tooth moves depends on what caused the discoloration and how the enamel is built, and two people on the same protocol can land in different places. What we can do at the consultation is look at the type of staining you have and tell you whether whitening is likely to get you where you want to be, or whether it will get you part of the way and you would need something else for the rest.
- Can I whiten if I have sensitive teeth?
- Usually, yes, with adjustments. We check first for the things that cause sensitivity for a reason, such as exposed roots, cracks, or decay, because whitening over those is the wrong move. If your teeth are simply sensitive, we lower the gel strength, shorten the wear time, and use a desensitizing paste beforehand. Spacing sessions further apart also helps more than people expect.
- Does insurance cover teeth whitening?
- No. Whitening is elective cosmetic treatment, so dental plans do not cover it. We quote it as self-pay and put the price in writing before you book. Both membership plans include a take-home whitening kit, and members get their plan discount on other treatment.
- Is teeth whitening FSA or HSA eligible?
- Usually not. FSA and HSA accounts are meant for treatment that addresses disease or restores function, and elective whitening is neither. If whitening is part of a plan that also restores damaged teeth, some of that treatment may qualify. We will tell you which parts fall into which category so you can use your account correctly.
Book a consultation
Available at both offices. Pick the one that's closer to you.
Schaumburg
501 W Golf Rd, Ste B
Schaumburg, IL 60195