ServicesTeeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening in Marlborough
We lighten stained and dulled teeth with professional whitening gel, either in our chair or with custom trays you wear at home. Before any gel goes on, we check your gums, enamel and existing dental work so the shade you get is even and comfortable.
Whitening that starts with an honest look
Coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco leave stains in the outer layer of enamel. Professional whitening uses a peroxide gel that breaks those stains down, and in a dentist's office it can be stronger and better controlled than store-bought strips.
Not every tooth responds the same way. Crowns, bridges, bonding and tooth-colored fillings keep the shade they were made in, so a front filling can look darker once the natural teeth around it lighten. Gray staining from certain childhood medications or deep fluorosis also fades less than yellow surface stain. We tell you this at the start, so you know what whitening can do for your smile and where another option may serve you better.
We have been in practice over 11 years, and in that time the most common surprise we see is a mismatched restoration after over-the-counter whitening. Planning ahead avoids it.
What your whitening treatment includes
- A shade record before you start
- We match your current color against a shade guide and take photos in consistent light. You see the before and after side by side instead of guessing.
- An exam of gums and enamel
- Whitening gel on an open cavity, a cracked tooth or receded gums can sting badly. We check for these first and treat anything that needs it before you whiten.
- In-office whitening
- Your lips and gums are protected with a barrier, then a professional-strength gel is applied in timed rounds. Most patients see a clear change by the end of the visit.
- Custom take-home trays
- We take impressions and make thin trays shaped to your teeth, so the gel stays on enamel and off your gums. You whiten gradually over a couple of weeks on your own schedule.
- Sensitivity care
- We can suggest a desensitizing toothpaste beforehand and adjust gel strength or wear time if your teeth feel tender.
Signs whitening may be right for you
Yellowing from daily drinks
Years of coffee or tea build a yellow-brown cast. This kind of surface stain usually responds well.
Your smile looks dull in photos
Teeth naturally darken with age as enamel thins. A few shades lighter can make a noticeable difference.
You are planning new dental work
If a crown or bridge is coming up on a front tooth, whitening first lets us match the new restoration to your brighter shade.
Store-bought kits gave uneven results
Strips do not reach between teeth or along curved surfaces well. Custom trays cover each tooth evenly.
You just finished aligner treatment
As an Invisalign provider, we often whiten after clear aligner treatment, once teeth are in their final position, so the new alignment and color come together.
What affects the cost of whitening
Whitening is considered cosmetic, so most dental insurance plans do not cover it, including many PPO plans. We will tell you before treatment what your plan is likely to pay toward the exam and cleaning that come first, and what falls to you. Our Office Dental Plan for patients without insurance and the CareCredit Patient Payment Plan can help spread the cost.
In-office or take-home
An in-office session involves chair time and professional-strength materials. Custom trays involve impressions, lab fabrication and gel refills.
Treatment needed beforehand
Cavities, worn fillings or gum irritation should be treated first. Those visits may be covered by insurance even though whitening is not.
Type of staining
Deep or gray staining may need more sessions or longer tray wear, and sometimes a different approach entirely.
Matching existing restorations
If an old front crown or filling no longer matches after whitening, replacing it is a separate cost we discuss up front.
How a whitening visit runs
- 1
Exam and cleaning first
A cleaning removes plaque and tartar that would block the gel. If you are due for an exam and cleaning anyway, we can plan whitening right after.
- 2
Choose in-office, trays or both
We talk through your schedule, sensitivity and goals. Some patients start with an in-office session and use trays later for touch-ups.
- 3
Whitening and shade check
In the chair, the gel goes on in rounds while you rest comfortably. If you chose trays, we check that they sit snugly, then walk you through a small dab of gel per tooth and a daily wear routine you can follow at your own pace.
- 4
Aftercare and follow-up
For the first day or two, teeth pick up stain more easily, so we suggest avoiding dark drinks for a short while. We recheck the shade and adjust your plan if needed.
Teeth whitening questions
Will my dental insurance pay for whitening?
Usually not, since insurers treat whitening as cosmetic. Your plan may still cover the exam and cleaning we do before whitening. We accept most dental insurance plans and can look at your benefits with you so there are no surprises on the bill.
Does whitening hurt or damage enamel?
Professional whitening does not wear away enamel when used as directed. Some patients feel short-lived sensitivity, usually for a day or two. We lower the gel strength or shorten wear time if that happens.
Will my crowns and fillings whiten too?
No. Porcelain, composite and other restorations keep their original color. If one sits in a visible spot, we may suggest whitening first and then replacing it to match your new shade.
How long do the results last?
It depends mostly on what you eat and drink. Many patients keep a bright result for a long time with an occasional tray touch-up. Regular cleanings help too.
Can teenagers whiten their teeth?
We generally wait until all permanent teeth have come in and the enamel has matured. For younger patients, we look at the cause of the discoloration first, which is often something a cleaning or our kids' dentistry care can address.
Can I whiten during Invisalign treatment?
Sometimes the aligners can be used to hold whitening gel, but many patients prefer to finish first. We will help you pick the timing that fits your treatment plan.
Plan a brighter, even smile
Start with a look at your teeth, your shade and any dental work you already have. We will explain your options and what insurance is likely to cover before anything begins.