Professional Teeth Whitening in Narellan
Whiter teeth are one of the most common things patients ask us about. There is a lot of noise around whitening, from supermarket kits to salon chairs, and not all of it is honest. This page explains how professional teeth whitening actually works, what it costs at First Choice Dental, and what results are realistic. No hype. Just what you need to make a decision.
Whitening done properly starts with a dentist
Whitening gel works by breaking down the stains inside your teeth. Used correctly, and after an examination, it is a well-established and effective treatment. Used without an exam it can cause problems. Decay, gum issues, cracks and worn enamel all change how your teeth respond, and can turn a simple treatment into a painful one.
That is why we assess first. We recommend a full examination and radiographs before any whitening, so we know your teeth and gums are healthy enough to whiten well. If you already have a regular dentist who has checked you recently, we are happy to whiten for you.
The part most people are not told
Here is what the salons leave out. Even with in-chair whitening, you still need a take-home kit.
In-chair whitening gives you a jump start in a single visit. But the result is held and improved by wearing custom trays at home over the following days. Anyone who tells you an hour in a chair is the whole job is not being straight with you. We would rather you knew that up front.
It is also why we often guide patients toward take-home whitening as the main treatment. It is gentler, you control the pace, and in our experience it causes less sensitivity than in-chair.
Your whitening options at First Choice Dental
Take-home whitening (from $599)-We take a scan or impressions and make custom trays moulded to your teeth. You wear the Boutique whitening gel in the trays at home, either during the day or overnight depending on the gel. Most people see the result build over one to two weeks. The kit includes your custom trays and gel.
This is the option we most often recommend. It is gentle, flexible, and easy to top up in future.
In-chair whitening ($1499, includes your take-home kit)-In-chair whitening is done in the practice in a single appointment of around ninety minutes. We use the Pola system. There is no light or laser, the gel does the work. Because a lasting result still needs home maintenance, the price includes your take-home kit.
We order the whitening gel fresh for each patient rather than keeping it on the shelf, so it is at full strength on the day of your treatment. For that reason, in-chair whitening is booked a little ahead rather than done same-day.
In-chair suits people who want a visible head start before an event. It can cause more sensitivity than take-home, which we talk through with you before you decide.
What happens during in-chair whitening
We record your starting shade and take photographs. We clean the teeth, isolate your lips and cheeks, and protect your gums with a barrier. The whitening gel is applied in a thin layer and left for about eight minutes, then removed. We repeat this three to four times in the one visit. At the end we record your new shade so you can see the change. The whole appointment takes about an hour and a half.
Managing sensitivity
Sensitivity is the most common side effect of any whitening, and it affects a lot of people to some degree. It is usually mild and settles within one to three days.
We manage it in a few ways. We check for exposed roots and sensitive spots before we start. We recommend the Boutique Black Diamond desensitising toothpaste, used for six to eight weeks, from $25 a tube. If sensitivity shows up during treatment, we can slow the pace, space out applications, or switch to a milder gel. The aim is a comfortable result, not a rushed one.
Is teeth whitening right for you?
Whitening works on natural teeth. It does not lighten crowns, veneers, or fillings. If you have white fillings or crowns on your front teeth, they will stay the same colour while the teeth around them get whiter, and may need replacing to match afterward. We point this out before you start so there are no surprises.
Some stains, such as those from tetracycline, fluorosis or heavy banding, whiten slowly or not at all, and may need a different approach. This is exactly the kind of thing the examination picks up.
Whitening is a popular step before veneers and after Invisalign, and just as popular on its own for anyone who wants their natural smile a few shades brighter.
What results can you expect?
For most people, a realistic result is somewhere between two and four shades lighter. Results vary from person to person and can fade over time, depending on diet, smoking and staining habits. This is why the take-home trays matter. You keep them, and a short top-up down the track brings the brightness back without starting over.
We will not promise you a Hollywood white. We give you an honest sense of what your teeth can do before you spend anything.
Looking after your results
Your custom trays and leftover gel let you top up at home whenever you need. Brushing with a remineralising or desensitising toothpaste helps protect the enamel and hold the shade. Cutting back on coffee, tea, red wine and smoking slows re-staining. We give you clear aftercare instructions with your kit.
What teeth whitening costs
Take-home whitening kit: $599, including custom trays and gel.
In-chair whitening: $1499, including your take-home kit.
Whitening examination: $59, without radiographs.
We recommend a full examination and radiographs before whitening. If any treatment is needed first, such as a clean or a filling, we explain the cost before we do anything.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a take-home kit if I have in-chair whitening?
Yes. In-chair gives you a head start in one visit, but the result is held and improved with take-home trays. That is why our in-chair price includes the kit.
Is professional teeth whitening safe?
Whitening gel breaks down into water and oxygen and is well established in dentistry. Carried out after an examination and under dental supervision, it is considered safe for most people. The most common effect is temporary sensitivity.
How white will my teeth get?
For most people, two to four shades lighter is realistic. Your starting shade, the type of staining, and your teeth all affect the result. We give you an honest estimate at your consultation.
Will whitening work on my crowns or veneers?
No. Whitening only lightens natural teeth. Crowns, veneers and fillings keep their colour, and front ones may need replacing to match your whiter teeth.
Does whitening hurt?
Most people feel some mild sensitivity that settles in a day or two. We take steps to reduce it and can adjust the treatment if it bothers you.
Can I have in-chair whitening on the same day?
Not usually. We order the whitening gel fresh for each patient rather than stocking it, so it is at full strength on the day. That means in-chair whitening is booked a little in advance.
Does whitening hurt?
Most people feel some mild sensitivity that settles in a day or two. We take steps to reduce it and can adjust the treatment if it bothers you.
Can I whiten if my regular dentist is somewhere else?
Yes. We recommend a full exam and radiographs first, but if your own dentist has checked you recently we are happy to provide whitening.
Useful Links
Book your teeth whitening consultation
Whitening at First Choice Dental is carried out by our registered dentists and oral health therapists in Narellan. Book online and we will take it from there.
First Choice Dental, Suite 3, 20 Somerset Ave, Narellan NSW 2567. Serving Narellan, Camden and the wider Macarthur region.
Book an Appointment
by calling us on 02 4647 4570
Our Location
Suite 3, 20 Somerset Ave Narellan NSW 2567
