Teeth whitening in Cobham
Brighten your smile with dentist-supervised whitening.
Whitening at Cobham Dental is carried out under the supervision of a registered dentist, after an assessment of your teeth and gums. We explain what whitening can and cannot change for your teeth before anything is started.
Suitability
Who this may suit
- You would like your natural teeth to look lighter and have realistic expectations about the change.
- Your teeth and gums are healthy, or any decay and gum problems have been treated first.
- You are able to wear the trays as prescribed and attend a review.
- Suitability is always confirmed at a consultation — it cannot be decided from a photograph or online.
Why have whitening done by a dentist
Assessed before it is prescribed
Discolouration has several causes. An examination first means decay, gum problems or a failing restoration are not missed or covered over.
Legally supervised whitening
Tooth whitening is a dental procedure and must be prescribed by a registered dental professional. Ours is carried out under dentist supervision, with GDC-registered clinicians.
Planned around your existing dentistry
Fillings, crowns, veneers and bonding do not lighten with whitening gel. We plan around them so the final result works as a whole.
Risks & considerations
Risks and important considerations
- Tooth sensitivity during or shortly after whitening is common. It is usually temporary, and your clinician can advise on how to reduce it.
- Gum irritation can occur, particularly if too much gel is used or the trays are overfilled.
- The colour change achieved varies, and some teeth respond less than others.
- Uneven appearance where restorations are present, as those materials do not lighten.
- Colour relapse over time, requiring top-up treatment.
- Whitening bought online or provided by anyone who is not a registered dental professional carries additional risk and is illegal in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
Whitening prescribed and supervised by a registered dental professional, using approved products at legal concentrations, is a well-established dental procedure. Side effects such as temporary sensitivity and gum irritation can occur, and your dentist will discuss these with you before you start.
No. Whitening gel lightens natural tooth structure, not crowns, fillings, veneers or composite bonding. Those materials stay the shade they were made, so they may look different once your natural teeth lighten. Your clinician will point out which teeth this affects.
Sensitivity is a common side effect and we cannot promise you will have none. It is usually temporary. Tell us if you notice it — the wear time or product can often be adjusted, and desensitising measures can help.
Whitening is not permanent and results vary from person to person. Teeth gradually pick up colour again, particularly with tea, coffee, red wine and smoking. Many patients keep their trays and use occasional top-up gel, which we can discuss at a review.
How whitening works with us
- 1
Consultation and suitability assessment
A dentist examines your teeth and gums, checks for decay, gum problems and existing restorations, and discusses why your teeth look the way they do. Whitening is only prescribed when it is appropriate for you.
- 2
Records and custom trays
Where whitening is suitable, we take scans or impressions so that trays are made to fit your teeth closely, which helps keep the gel where it is intended to be.
- 3
Fitting and instructions
We check the fit of the trays, show you how much gel to use and how long to wear them, and explain what to do if you notice sensitivity.
Your options
Treatment choices we may discuss
Boutique whitening (home whitening)
Boutique Whitening is the system used at the practice. Custom trays are made from scans or impressions of your teeth and you wear them with the prescribed gel at home, as directed by your dentist. It is also included in selected Invisalign plans.
Whitening alongside other treatment
Whitening is often planned before composite bonding, or after aligner treatment, so that any new restorations can be matched to your whitened shade. Your clinician will advise on the order that suits your case.
Important limitations
What this treatment cannot do
- Existing fillings, crowns, veneers and composite bonding do not whiten in the same way as natural teeth, and may look darker or lighter than the surrounding teeth afterwards. Replacing them, if you choose to, is separate treatment with its own fee.
- Results vary between people and between teeth. No particular shade can be guaranteed.
- Some discolouration — for example internal staining, tetracycline staining or a darkened root-treated tooth — responds less predictably or may need a different approach.
- Whitening is not permanent. Teeth pick up colour again over time and top-up wear is usually needed to maintain the result.
- Whitening is not carried out during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and is not provided for under-18s for cosmetic purposes.
Alternatives
Other options we may discuss
Airflow hygiene appointment
Where discolouration is surface staining from tea, coffee, red wine or smoking, professional cleaning may be all that is needed.
Composite bonding
For chips, worn edges or discolouration within the tooth surface, bonding may be discussed — usually after whitening, so the shade can be matched.
Replacing an existing restoration
If a single filling or crown is the discoloured element, replacing it may achieve more than whitening the surrounding teeth.
No treatment
Choosing not to whiten is always an option. We will explain what that means for the appearance you have described.
Technology
What we use at the practice
iTero digital scanning
A digital scanner used instead of conventional impressions for aligner and restorative planning, with an on-screen simulation of the planned result.
Frequently asked questions
Whitening after aligner treatment is common once your dentist is satisfied your teeth and gums are healthy and the position is stable. Boutique whitening is included in selected Invisalign plans — your clinician or treatment coordinator will confirm what your plan includes.
Usually, yes. Bonding is matched to the shade of your teeth at the time it is placed and will not lighten later, so whitening first means the new bonding can be matched to your whitened shade. Your clinician will confirm the sequence and timings for your case.
Whitening fees are confirmed with you in writing after your consultation, once we know what is involved. Our published fees are listed on the Plan & Fees page.
That can only be decided at a consultation. A dentist needs to examine your teeth and gums, identify the cause of the discolouration and check your existing dentistry before whitening can be prescribed.
Concerns this may help with
What patients come to us about
Related treatments
You may also want to read
Not ready to book?
Our treatment coordinators can talk you through the options and costs with no obligation, or arrange a callback at a time that suits you.
Thinking about whitening your teeth?
Book directly into our diaries online, or ask us a question first — we're happy to help.