Teeth Whitening
Professional whitening that lifts stain and discoloration, supervised by your dentist and completed on your own schedule at home.
Teeth whitening, or bleaching, improves the appearance of teeth by removing stain and discoloration. It is the least invasive cosmetic treatment in dentistry — nothing is drilled, and no tooth structure is removed.
At Alamo Heights Dental, whitening generally takes place at home using custom trays we make for you.
Why custom trays
Over-the-counter strips and one-size boiled trays leak. Gel ends up on the gums where it causes irritation, and it never quite covers the edges of the teeth, which is why store-bought results are often patchy near the gum line.
We take impressions and make trays that fit only your teeth. The gel stays where it belongs, in an even film across each tooth, and you get an even result. You wear them for a set period each day over a couple of weeks, on your own schedule.
What whitening can and cannot do
Whitening works well on yellowing from age, coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco. It works less predictably on:
- Grey discoloration, particularly from tetracycline exposure in childhood
- A single dark tooth that has had a root canal, which usually needs internal bleaching or a different approach
- Fillings, crowns, veneers, and bonding — dental materials do not change color with bleach
That last point matters for planning. If you have tooth-colored fillings or crowns in your smile line, whitening the natural teeth around them will make the restorations look darker by comparison, and they may need replacing to match. We will tell you before you start if that applies to you.
Sensitivity
Some patients get temporary cold sensitivity during a whitening course. It resolves after treatment ends. If it is bothersome, we can adjust the wear time, change the gel strength, or add a desensitizing product — there is usually no need to abandon the treatment.
Starting with a clean slate
Whitening is most effective right after a cleaning, on teeth free of surface deposits, and it should follow an exam. Bleach on an untreated cavity or an exposed root is uncomfortable and unhelpful. We check first.
Related treatments
Porcelain Veneers
Thin porcelain facings bonded to the front of the teeth to change their color, shape, and alignment — the most controlled way to reshape a smile.
Dental Bonding
A conservative, single-visit repair — tooth-colored filling material shaped directly onto the tooth to correct a defect in color, size, or position.
Cleanings & Exams
Routine cleanings, exams, and digital x-rays that catch problems early — when they are smaller, simpler, and less expensive to treat.
Have a question about treatment?
Call the office and ask. We would rather answer it now than have you guess.