Teeth Whitening
in Pembroke, ON

Why Choose Parkview Dental for Teeth Whitening in Ontario

Professional teeth whitening requires careful assessment and application to achieve beautiful results without causing sensitivity or damage. Here’s what sets our Pembroke practice apart:

• Personalized treatment planning – Dr. Munro evaluates your tooth structure, existing dental work, and discoloration patterns to determine the most effective whitening approach for your smile
• Advanced iTero scanning technology – We use digital imaging to document your starting shade and track your whitening progress with precision
• Sedation options available – If dental anxiety prevents you from pursuing cosmetic treatments, Dr. Munro offers safe sedation dentistry to keep you comfortable throughout your visit
• Comprehensive smile assessments – We examine your overall oral health first, addressing any cavities or gum issues before whitening to ensure lasting, healthy results
• Serving Renfrew County families since 1976 – Our decades of experience mean you receive tried-and-true whitening methods backed by genuine patient care

What Is Teeth Whitening?

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that uses bleaching agents, typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, to lighten the color of teeth and remove stains. The peroxide breaks down into oxygen molecules that penetrate tooth enamel, breaking apart the chemical bonds of discolored molecules. 

Professional whitening treatments performed by dentists offer stronger concentrations than over-the-counter products, delivering more dramatic and longer-lasting results. The procedure can lighten teeth by several shades in a single visit or through customized take-home trays used over several weeks.

Types of Teeth Whitening Methods

Different whitening methods suit different lifestyles and goals. Dr. Munro will recommend the best option based on your desired timeline and the severity of your staining:

• In-office professional whitening: The fastest option, delivering results up to eight shades lighter in just one 60-90 minute appointment using high-concentration bleaching gel activated by special light technology
• Custom take-home whitening trays: We create perfectly fitted trays from impressions of your teeth that you wear with professional-grade gel for 30 minutes to two hours daily over two to four weeks
• Combination approach: Start with an in-office treatment for immediate results, then maintain your bright smile with periodic touch-ups using custom take-home trays
• Touch-up treatments: After your initial whitening, schedule periodic touch-ups every six to twelve months to combat new stains and maintain your results
• Targeted stain removal: For specific discoloration from trauma, medications, or root canals, we offer internal bleaching techniques that address individual teeth

Benefits of Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening benefits extend far beyond surface-level aesthetics:

• Immediate confidence boost: Walking out of our office with a noticeably brighter smile often transforms how patients feel about themselves in social and professional situations, encouraging them to smile more freely
• Safe and controlled results: Professional supervision means your gums and tooth enamel stay protected throughout treatment, with adjustments made if you experience any sensitivity
• More dramatic results than drugstore products: Professional-strength bleaching agents can lighten teeth by six to ten shades, while over-the-counter strips typically provide one to three shades of improvement at best
• Customized to your specific needs: We adjust gel concentration, treatment duration, and frequency based on your tooth sensitivity, existing dental work, and desired outcome
• Long-lasting when properly maintained: With good oral hygiene and occasional touch-ups, professional whitening results can last one to three years compared to just weeks for store-bought options
• Non-invasive cosmetic solution: Achieve a dramatically improved smile without needles, drilling, or permanent alterations to your natural tooth structure
• Complements other cosmetic work: Whitening provides an excellent foundation before veneers, bonding, or crowns, ensuring all your dental work matches your brightest natural shade
• Cost-effective smile transformation: Compared to other cosmetic dentistry procedures, professional whitening delivers significant aesthetic improvement at a relatively modest investment

Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?

Most patients can benefit from this cosmetic dental treatment, though some situations require special consideration to qualify for teeth whitening:

• Patients with yellow or brown surface stains from coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, or aging respond best to bleaching treatments
• Adults with good overall oral health, including cavity-free teeth and healthy gums, make ideal candidates for immediate whitening
• Those seeking faster, more dramatic results than over-the-counter products can provide will appreciate professional-strength treatments
• Patients with realistic expectations who understand whitening doesn’t change the color of existing crowns, veneers, or fillings
• People without severe tooth sensitivity can comfortably complete whitening, though we offer desensitizing treatments if needed
• Non-pregnant, non-nursing patients – we typically recommend waiting until after pregnancy and breastfeeding to pursue whitening treatments
• Patients willing to maintain results through good oral hygiene and limiting stain-causing foods and beverages get the longest-lasting benefits

The Teeth Whitening Process With Parkview Dental

Understanding what happens during your whitening treatment helps you feel prepared and confident. Here’s what to expect:

1. Initial Consultation and Shade Assessment

Dr. Munro examines your teeth and gums to ensure you’re healthy enough for whitening. We document your current tooth shade using a standardized shade guide and discuss your goals, timeline, and any concerns about sensitivity.

2. Pre-Treatment Dental Cleaning

We often recommend a professional teeth cleaning before whitening to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Clean teeth allow the whitening gel to penetrate more evenly, delivering better overall results.

3. Protection of Soft Tissues

For in-office treatments, we carefully apply a protective barrier to your gums and lips. This rubber dam or protective gel shields soft tissue from the strong bleaching agents while keeping your teeth fully exposed.

4. Whitening Gel Application

We apply professional-strength hydrogen peroxide gel evenly across your tooth surfaces. For in-office treatments, we may use a special activating light to enhance the gel’s effectiveness. Take-home trays come pre-filled with custom-measured gel amounts.

5. Waiting Period and Monitoring

In-office treatments involve 15-20 minute intervals where the gel works on your teeth, typically repeated two to three times. We monitor your comfort throughout and can adjust if sensitivity occurs.

6. Gel Removal and Results Review

We thoroughly remove all whitening gel and rinse your mouth. You’ll immediately see your new, brighter shade. We document your results and compare them to your starting point.

7. Post-Treatment Instructions and Follow-Up

You receive detailed care instructions about foods to avoid and sensitivity management. We schedule a follow-up visit to assess your satisfaction and address any concerns about your results.

8. Maintenance Plan Development

Dr. Munro creates a personalized maintenance schedule, which may include periodic touch-up treatments every six to twelve months to keep your smile looking its absolute brightest.

Caring for Your Teeth Whitening Results

Extending the life of your whitening treatment requires some simple lifestyle adjustments:

• Avoid stain-causing beverages like coffee, tea, red wine, and dark sodas for at least 48 hours after treatment, when teeth are most porous, then consume them in moderation using a straw when possible
• Quit or reduce tobacco use – smoking and chewing tobacco cause some of the most stubborn stains that quickly reverse your whitening investment
• Practice excellent daily oral hygiene by brushing twice daily with whitening toothpaste and flossing once daily to prevent new stains from setting into tooth enamel
• Rinse after eating stain-causing foods like berries, tomato sauce, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar to minimize their contact time with your teeth
• Attend regular dental cleanings every six months at Parkview Dental so we can polish away surface stains before they penetrate deeper into enamel
• Use your touch-up trays as recommended – periodic maintenance treatments, usually once every few months, keep your smile consistently bright
• Stay hydrated with water throughout the day – water naturally rinses your teeth and stimulates saliva production, which protects against staining

Cost & Financing for Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening represents one of the most affordable cosmetic dental treatments available, though costs vary based on your chosen method and desired results. In-office professional whitening typically ranges from $300 to $800 per session, while custom take-home tray systems generally cost between $200 and $500.

Several factors influence your final teeth whitening costs:

• Treatment type selected – in-office treatments cost more upfront but deliver immediate results, while take-home systems offer gradual whitening at a lower price point
• Severity of discoloration – deeply stained teeth may require multiple sessions or stronger concentrations, affecting overall cost
• Geographic location and practice overhead – dental fees reflect local market rates and the quality of materials and technology used
• Additional services needed – if you require dental cleaning or cavity treatment before whitening, those procedures add to your total cost
• Maintenance and touch-up frequency – factor in the cost of periodic touch-ups to maintain your results over time

At Parkview Dental, we work with various insurance providers and offer flexible financing through CareCredit to make your dream smile achievable within your budget.

Tooth Whitening Side Effects & Cosmetic Dentistry Alternatives

While teeth whitening works wonderfully for most patients, understanding its limitations helps set proper expectations. Professional whitening only affects natural tooth enamel, meaning existing crowns, veneers, bridges, or fillings won’t change color. If you have visible dental work in your smile zone, you may need to replace those restorations after whitening to match your new, brighter shade.

Some patients experience temporary tooth sensitivity during or after whitening treatment. This typically resolves within a few days, and we can provide desensitizing gel or recommend sensitivity toothpaste to manage discomfort. Gray or brown stains caused by certain medications, particularly tetracycline antibiotics taken during childhood, respond less predictably to bleaching and may require alternative cosmetic solutions.

Common Alternatives to Traditional Whitening

• Porcelain Veneers: thin ceramic shells bonded to front teeth that mask severe discoloration while also correcting shape, size, and alignment issues in one comprehensive treatment
• Dental Bonding: tooth-colored composite resin applied directly to stained teeth offers an affordable way to cover discoloration on one or two teeth without full veneers
• Cosmetic Crowns: full-coverage restorations that encircle damaged or severely discolored teeth, providing both aesthetic improvement and structural reinforcement
• Internal Bleaching: a specialized technique for teeth darkened from within due to trauma or root canal treatment, where whitening gel is placed inside the tooth

Possible Side Effects

• Increased tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and beverages that usually subsides within a few days after treatment ends
• Gum irritation if whitening gel contacts soft tissue, causing temporary redness or soreness that resolves quickly with proper care
• Uneven results on teeth with existing dental work, white spots, or areas of demineralization that may require additional cosmetic treatment
• Temporary throat irritation from accidentally swallowing small amounts of whitening gel, though this rarely occurs with professional supervision

Frequently Asked Questions