Want a brighter smile? You have two options: whitening in our office, or an at-home kit. Both use a peroxide-based bleaching gel. At-home kits use a lower-strength gel (3–20% peroxide); in-office whitening uses a stronger gel (15–43% peroxide), applied under our supervision.
In general, more time with a stronger gel means whiter teeth — but a stronger gel needs less time on the teeth, not more. Leaving a strong gel on too long dries out the tooth and makes it more sensitive.
Each option has trade-offs. Talk to us before trying an at-home kit. One thing to know either way: bleaching doesn’t work on porcelain crowns or composite fillings — it only whitens natural tooth enamel.
In-office whitening works faster because the gel is stronger, and we can use heat, light, or both to speed up and boost the result.
Most patients see noticeable results — typically three to eight shades brighter — after a single ~45-minute in-office visit.
Whitening can leave teeth temporarily sensitive, and it can be uncomfortable if your teeth are already sensitive. Used incorrectly, at-home kits can also burn or temporarily bleach the gums — one more reason to check with us before you start one.
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Whitening works best on teeth that are more yellow, less well on teeth that are more brown, and it likely won’t work at all on teeth that are gray or purple.
Whitening fades over time — anywhere from a few months to about three years, depending on the person. It fades faster if you smoke or drink things that stain teeth, like coffee, tea, or dark sodas.

