Professional teeth whitening
Years of coffee, tea and red wine settle into enamel. Professional whitening uses a stronger gel than anything sold over the counter, with your gums protected, and it lifts shades that strips and toothpastes cannot touch.
What whitening can and cannot do
Worth knowing before you spend anything.
- It lifts staining from food, drink and tobacco, and general yellowing with age
- It does not change the colour of crowns, veneers or fillings
- It works poorly on grey discolouration from old root canals or antibiotics
- Whitening a mouth with untreated decay or gum disease is the wrong order
How it works
A short appointment, then trays you use at home.
Check first
A quick exam, because whitening over a cavity is painful and pointless.
Custom trays
Made from a scan of your teeth, so the gel stays on the enamel and off your gums.
Whiten at home
A set number of nights, at a strength we choose for how sensitive your teeth are.
Check the result
We compare against the starting shade and top up if it needs it.
What it costs
Whitening is quoted at your appointment. It is cosmetic, so insurance does not cover it, and it is by a wide margin the cheapest way to change how your smile looks. You get the figure in writing before anything is booked, and we check your insurance first so you know your share, not just the list price.
Common questions
How much does teeth whitening cost?
It is quoted at your appointment and it is the least expensive cosmetic treatment we offer by a distance. Insurance does not cover whitening, because it is not treating a disease.
Does whitening damage enamel?
Not at the concentrations and timings we use. Sensitivity during treatment is common and temporary; it settles within a few days of finishing.
How long does it last?
One to three years, depending on how much coffee, tea and red wine you drink and whether you smoke. Keeping the trays means you can top up cheaply rather than starting again.
Will it whiten my crowns and fillings?
No. They stay the shade they were made, which is worth planning around: whiten first, then match any new crown or filling to the new colour.
Are the strips from the pharmacy any good?
They lift surface stain and they are cheap. They use a much weaker gel and they do not fit your teeth, so they cannot reach between them or hold the gel where it is needed.
How do I book?
Call (530) 671-2170 or request a time on our booking page. We are at 909 Plumas Street, Yuba City, CA 95991, Monday to Thursday 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday 8 AM to 2 PM.
