Professional whitening, explained
Professional teeth whitening is the fastest, safest way to brighten your smile by several shades. Bathurst Centre Dental Care offers dentist-supervised whitening at our Thornhill clinic, serving Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill and North York, and it is free when you book a comprehensive exam with X-rays and a cleaning.
How does teeth whitening work?
There are several ways to increase the brightness of your teeth. The first should always be to have your teeth cleaned by a dental professional, which will remove surface stains from tea, coffee, red wine and tobacco, as well as tartar build-up from your teeth.
Once these surface imperfections have been removed, the next step is to whiten the natural shade of your teeth, which is done by applying a whitening agent. The whitening agent consists of a peroxide bleaching gel that penetrates the tooth enamel and sets off an oxidation reaction that breaks apart the coloured compounds in your teeth, increasing their whiteness.
What is the difference between whitening at the dentist and over-the-counter products?
Over-the-counter strips and pastes
Home whitening products, such as whitening strips, are typically not as strong as those administered by dental professionals. They may require additional time and applications and may not whiten teeth by as many shades.
Professional take-home trays
Custom trays made from an impression of your teeth hold a stronger, dentist-prescribed gel evenly against every tooth, usually worn overnight for a couple of weeks. This is the system we provide.
In-office whitening
The strongest solutions, applied in the dental chair under direct supervision, whiten teeth significantly in the shortest period of time.
What causes teeth to become stained?
Food and drink
Coffee, tea, red wine, cola, curry and berries all stain enamel over time.
Tobacco
Smoking and chewing tobacco leave stubborn yellow and brown stains.
Age
Enamel thins with age, letting the yellower dentin underneath show through.
Medications and injury
Some antibiotics taken in childhood, excess fluoride, or an injury to a tooth can cause internal discolouration that whitening may not fully correct.
What should I expect from professional whitening?
brighter
Most patients see a noticeable change; results vary with the type and cause of staining.
with take-home trays
Worn as directed, usually overnight.
of results
Depending on your diet and habits. Occasional touch-ups keep your smile bright.
Do you have any promotions or coupons for teeth whitening?
Yes! We offer free teeth whitening when you book a comprehensive dental exam with X-rays and a cleaning, which is typically covered by most dental insurance plans. See our promotions page for details, or see the offer below.
Teeth whitening FAQs
Yes. Peroxide whitening gels have been used safely for decades when applied as directed under a dentist’s supervision. We check your teeth and gums first to make sure whitening is appropriate for you.
Some temporary tooth sensitivity and mild gum irritation are the most common side effects. They usually fade within a day or two of finishing treatment. Using a sensitivity toothpaste and shorter wear times helps if it bothers you.
Results typically last from several months to a few years, depending on how much coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco you consume. Regular cleanings and an occasional touch-up with your custom trays keep your teeth bright.
No. Whitening gels only lighten natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers and fillings keep their original colour, so if you plan to have cosmetic work done, whiten first so the new restorations can be matched to your brighter shade.
Whitening is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding as a precaution, for children who still have baby teeth, or for anyone with untreated cavities or gum disease. These are treated first.
Book a comprehensive dental exam with X-rays and a cleaning at our Thornhill clinic. Once your check-up is complete, we take an impression of your teeth and provide custom trays and professional whitening gel at no charge. See the offer details below and on our promotions page.
Dentist-supervised whitening uses stronger gel in custom trays that fit your teeth exactly, so results are faster, more even and more predictable, and your dentist can manage any sensitivity. Strips are one-size-fits-all and can miss the edges and spaces between teeth.
Does my insurance cover teeth whitening?
Coverage will vary from policy to policy, but cosmetic procedures such as teeth whitening are typically not covered. That is why we offer it free with your exam and cleaning, which most plans do cover. We can assess your coverage when you come in for an appointment or free consultation.
Special Offers/Coupons
Free Teeth Whitening!
Book a comprehensive dental exam with x-rays and a cleaning and receive professional teeth whitening (a $250 value)!
Our teeth whitening system uses an impression of your actual teeth to ensure even whitening and is only available from a dental professional. Book your appointment today!
Offer valid until M 28, Y. Offer valid for current ODA fee guide patients only. Cannot be combined with any other discount. Also available for new patient exams – refer a friend – they get free whitening and you get free movie tickets!
hey there, I was interested in a new patient exam with free whitening. Could you tell me the total price I will be paying, I know I will need about 3 units of cleaning
Hi Ashly, thanks for your inquiry! We’ve forwarded an estimate to you via email. Please let us know if you have any questions about it or would like to book an appointment.
Hi, I would like to know the total cost of the new patient exam (x-rays and cleaning) to get the free teeth whitening as well. Thank you in advance.
Hi Bruno, thank you for your inquiry! Our office coordinator will email you directly with the pricing details!
Hi, I have dental fluorosis on my front tooth that is an aesthetic problem. I’ve found out about enamel micro-abrasion, and the pictures of the results look stunning. I am wondering if this is a common procedure I will be able to receive from anywhere or if I will have to travel to get this done, it’s typical price and if insurance will cover some of the fee based on my circumstances. Thank you
Hi Anna, white or brown spots caused by dental fluorosis are an aesthetic issue for many people. In the past, the only options were to do nothing or to drill out the white spot and replace it with a white filling, which may need to be replaced from time to time due to staining and wear.
Now there is a treatment called Icon for white spots. The procedure involves roughing the surface slightly (without drilling away any healthy tooth structure), acid etching to open up the pores of the enamel surface, and applying a liquid filling material so the white spot matches the healthy portion of your remaining tooth. Please see this link for more details and before after pictures: https://www.dmg-america.com/en/products/product/icon/
Our clinic in Thornhill recently introduced Icon treatment for our patients with some fantastic results. Although results vary depending on how deep the effect of fluorosis is, everyone that received treatment has noticed a significant improvement. The price varies depending on the tooth involved and other factors; if you’re in or near the Greater Toronto Area, you can call us at 905-707-8008 or email us at [email protected] to book an exam to see if Icon could work for you. When you come in we’ll be able to give you a quote and check with your insurance to see if the treatment is covered.
Will a light activated treatment that utilizes an LED light as a catalyst to activate the carbamide peroxide gel give you as good results as hydrogen peroxide?
Hi Aliesha, Hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are both very effective whitening agents; we offer both to our patients. Carbamide peroxide contains hydrogen peroxide at a ratio of 1:3. Therefore a product with 30% carbamide peroxide is equivalent to a product with 10% hydrogen peroxide. A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association showed that while carbamide peroxide appeared to produce slightly more dramatic results at first, there was no significant difference between products with regard to tooth lightness with equivalent amounts of carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide. https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)62875-0/fulltext
LED light tends to have a drying effect on teeth; drier teeth will appear to be whiter initially, but the effect doesn’t last long due the constant presence of saliva in our mouths.
When you are comparing the effectiveness of whitening products, the main thing to look for is the concentration of the active whitening agent(s). It’s also important to evaluate the overall health of your teeth and gums prior to starting treatment, and if you’re planning a DIY (do-it-yourself) treatment, be sure the products you use come from a reputable source and follow all product directions carefully.
I’m 15 i have a discolored tooth caused by trauma. I was wondering what is the minimum age for a patient to get a root canal and get the tooth internal bleached.
Hi Timothy, there is no minimum age for a root canal treatment. If your dentist has done testing and determined that the nerve inside the tooth has died from the trauma, then you would require a root canal treatment. Internal bleaching will have fewer complications if it is done on mature roots that have developed fully before the root canal treatment. In the event that the tooth has sustained trauma and the majority of the nerve is still alive inside the tooth, it is best to wait for the root to mature for as long as possible to see if a root canal treatment is necessary.