Cosmetic
Teeth whitening in Billerica
The most straightforward cosmetic treatment available, and the one that produces the greatest visible change for the lowest cost.
Why professional whitening works better
Over-the-counter strips and whitening toothpastes use low concentrations and a standard-sized delivery. They lift surface stain and little else, and because the strip does not fit the teeth precisely, results are often uneven along the edges.
Professional whitening uses a stronger gel and, in the take-home version, a tray moulded to your teeth so the gel sits evenly against every surface and away from the gums. This is the difference between a change of one or two shades and a clearly visible result.
Treatment begins with an examination. Whitening an untreated cavity or a tooth with an exposed root is painful and ineffective, and discoloration originating inside a tooth will not respond to bleaching at all.
Two methods
In office
A single appointment using a stronger gel with a protective barrier applied to the gums. Results are visible the same day, which suits a fixed date such as a wedding or a photograph.
Custom take-home trays
Trays made from impressions of your teeth, supplied with professional gel and worn for a short period each day over about two weeks. Slower, less likely to cause sensitivity, and the trays are retained for later touch-ups at the cost of a syringe of gel.
What whitening won’t change
Whitening works on natural enamel. It does not change the color of crowns, veneers, bonding, or fillings. A white filling on a front tooth can therefore become conspicuous once the teeth around it are lightened. Where that is likely, we sequence the treatment accordingly: whiten first, then match the restoration to the new shade.
Grey discoloration originating inside a tooth, from previous trauma or from certain antibiotics taken in childhood, responds poorly to whitening. Veneers or bonding are the appropriate treatment in those cases.
Common questions
How long do the results last?
Typically one to three years, depending largely on coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking. Retaining the trays makes periodic touch-ups inexpensive and straightforward.
Will it make my teeth sensitive?
Some sensitivity during treatment is common and temporary. Take-home trays used over a longer stretch tend to cause less of it, and we can supply a desensitising gel.
Is whitening bad for enamel?
Professionally supervised whitening at appropriate concentrations doesn't damage enamel. The risk with unsupervised products is overuse and gum irritation from poorly fitting trays.
Can I whiten if I have crowns or veneers?
The natural teeth can be whitened, but existing restorations will not change color. We will plan the sequence so that the final result matches.
Related treatments
Porcelain veneers
Thin custom shells for chipped, stained, or uneven front teeth.
Checkups & cleanings
The twice-yearly visit that prevents the rest.
Invisalign & clear aligners
Clear removable aligners instead of metal brackets.
Have a question about whitening?
Call and we’ll talk it through — no appointment needed to ask.