ServicesTeeth Whitening
Teeth Whitening in Auburn
A brighter smile starts with a close look at your teeth. We check your enamel, gums and any fillings or crowns first, tell you plainly what whitening can and cannot change, and then plan a treatment that fits your teeth.
Whitening That Starts With an Honest Look
Professional whitening uses a peroxide gel to break down stains inside the enamel. It works well on the yellowing that builds up from coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco, and on the gradual darkening that comes with age. It works less well on some gray or banded stains that formed while the teeth were still developing.
That is why we examine your teeth before we recommend anything. A small cavity, a cracked tooth or a receding gum line can turn whitening into a painful visit, and old fillings or crowns will stay their current shade while the teeth around them lighten. We would rather tell you that up front than have you find out in the mirror.
Patients come to our Auburn office from Worcester, Millbury, Shrewsbury and the surrounding towns, and most leave the first visit with a clear sense of the shade they can realistically reach.
What Your Whitening Treatment Includes
- 01
Exam and shade record
We look for decay, cracks and gum trouble, then compare your current color to a shade guide. Having that starting point written down lets you judge the change with your own eyes later.
- 02
Cleaning if you are due
Tartar and surface stain can mask the true color of your teeth. Cleaning them first helps the gel work evenly across the enamel. Our Exams & Cleanings page covers that visit in more detail.
- 03
In-office whitening
Our team applies a stronger gel while your lips and gums are shielded. Most patients notice a clear difference by the end of one appointment.
- 04
Trays made for your mouth
We take impressions of your teeth and have trays shaped to match them. A snug tray holds the gel against each tooth and keeps it away from the gums, and you use them at home on a schedule we agree on.
- 05
Sensitivity plan
For teeth that tend to be sensitive, we lower the gel strength or shorten the timing. We may also suggest a desensitizing toothpaste starting a couple of weeks before treatment.
- 06
Advice on old dental work
When a front crown or filling will look off next to your lighter teeth, we lay out your options. You can then decide whether to replace it after your new shade has settled.
Questions about Teeth Whitening?
Call(508) 682-5159Signs Whitening Could Help Your Smile
Yellowing from daily habits
Your morning coffee or afternoon tea has slowly turned your teeth a shade darker. This kind of stain usually responds well.
Brushing no longer brightens
Whitening toothpaste only polishes the surface. If your teeth look the same after weeks of using it, the stain is deeper in the enamel.
Store kits gave patchy results
Strips and one-size trays often miss the edges and between the teeth. Custom trays cover each tooth evenly.
An event or new start ahead
A wedding, graduation or job interview is a common reason to plan whitening. Give yourself a few weeks so we can finish any needed dental work first.
Your teeth look darker with age
Enamel thins over the years and the darker layer underneath shows through more. Whitening can take back some of that brightness.
How a Whitening Visit Works
- 1
Exam and conversation
We check your teeth and gums, take any X-rays you need and ask what you would like to change about your smile. Then we give you a plain answer about the results you can expect.
- 2
Treat problems first
A cavity or cracked tooth gets fixed before any whitening. Gel on an open cavity is painful, and a filling placed afterward can be matched to your new, lighter shade.
- 3
Whitening day
In the office, we cover your gums, apply the gel in short rounds and check the shade in between. If you chose trays, we try them in with you and walk you through the right amount of gel and the wearing time before you head out.
- 4
Follow-up and upkeep
We hold your result up against the starting shade. We suggest avoiding dark foods and drinks for the first two days, and we talk through occasional touch-ups to keep the color.
What Shapes the Price of Whitening
Whitening is usually treated as cosmetic by insurance plans, so it is rarely covered, although many plans do pay toward the exam and cleaning that come first. Your price mostly depends on the whitening method you choose and on whether any teeth need care before we start. We go over the costs with you at your appointment before any treatment begins, and the CareCredit Patient Payment Plan is available if you would like to spread out payments.
- Chairside or at your own pace
- A chairside session means a longer appointment and a stronger gel applied by our team. Custom trays need impressions and lab time at the start, but they are yours to keep and reuse for touch-ups.
- Treatment before whitening
- When the exam finds a cavity, a crack or irritated gums, fixing that first becomes part of your overall plan. Insurance often handles that work differently from the whitening itself.
- How stubborn the stain is
- Older or deeper stains may need more sessions or extra gel. If your teeth look likely to need that, we tell you at the exam.
- Your coverage
- We accept most dental insurance plans for the preventive part of your visit. Patients who carry no dental coverage can join our Office Dental Plan for patients without insurance, and we are happy to explain how it works when you come in.
Teeth Whitening Questions
Will whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Some patients feel a brief, sharp sensitivity during treatment or for a day or two after. It usually fades on its own. If you already have sensitive teeth, we use a gentler gel and shorter sessions and can start you on a desensitizing toothpaste ahead of time.
Will my crowns and fillings whiten too?
No. Porcelain, composite fillings and other dental materials keep their color. If a visible crown or filling will stand out after your teeth lighten, we will point that out at the exam so you can plan for it. Our Crowns & Bridges page explains replacement options.
How long do the results last?
It depends on your habits. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking bring stain back faster. Many patients keep their trays and do a short touch-up now and then to hold their shade.
Is whitening safe for teenagers?
We usually wait until all the permanent teeth have come in and the nerves have settled, which is typically in the later teen years. We look at each teen's teeth before recommending it, and we will tell you honestly if it is better to wait.
Why not just use a store-bought kit?
Store kits can help with light stain, but the strips and trays do not fit closely, so results can be uneven and the gel can irritate gums. They also skip the exam, which is where we catch cavities and cracks that make whitening hurt.
Ready to See What Your Smile Can Look Like?
We start with an exam and a straight answer about the shade you can reach. Give us a call and we will set up an appointment that works for your schedule.