Teeth whitening in Tenbury Wells
How does teeth whitening work?
Professional teeth whitening uses a hydrogen peroxide based gel that passes into the tooth and breaks down the pigments and stains inside it. Rather than masking discolouration, it brings out the natural whiteness of your own teeth. At Tenbury Dental Centre it costs £495, including custom-made trays and the gel.
We whiten at home rather than in the chair. Your dentist examines your teeth first, records your starting shade, and takes a digital scan or impression to make trays that fit your teeth closely. You wear the gel in the trays overnight, and the colour lifts over a couple of weeks.
Whitening is only lawful in the UK when it is prescribed by a dentist after an examination, and only for adults. That is not red tape; it is what keeps the result safe and predictable.
£495 including trays and gelShop-bought kits cannot contain enough of the active ingredient
Whitening products sold directly to the public in the UK are capped at 0.1 per cent hydrogen peroxide, which is too weak to do much. Stronger gels may only be supplied through a dentist, after an examination, and whitening carried out by anyone who is not a registered dental professional is illegal.
A dentist also checks the things that change the outcome: whether your teeth are healthy enough, whether the colour is on the surface or inside the tooth, and whether any crowns, veneers or white fillings will stay the same shade while the teeth around them lighten.
The trays matter too. Ours are made from your own scan or impression, so the gel stays on the teeth and off the gums.
Whitening in three stages
Examination and shade
Your dentist checks your teeth and gums are healthy, records your starting shade, and talks through a realistic result for your teeth. If a hygienist clean would do most of the job, we say so.
Your trays
A digital scan or impression is used to make close-fitting whitening trays. You collect them with your gel and clear instructions on how much to use and for how long.
Whitening at home
You wear the gel in your trays overnight, usually for around two weeks, and we see you to check the result. Top-up gel is available afterwards at a reduced rate when you want to refresh the colour.
The final shade depends on your starting colour and the cause of the discolouration, so nobody can promise a specific result in advance.
Why some people get sensitive teeth, and what we do about it
Not all whitening systems are the same. Many cause short bursts of sensitivity because the gel draws moisture out of the tooth.
Water-based gels
We use gels that are aqueous in nature, which limits the dehydration that causes most whitening sensitivity.
Trays that fit
Close-fitting trays keep the gel where it should be and away from the gums, which is where a lot of soreness comes from with loose trays.
Your pace
Because you whiten at home, you can shorten a session or skip a night if your teeth feel tender, without losing the result.
Help if it happens
If you do get sensitivity we have desensitising products on hand and will adjust your routine. It passes once whitening stops.
Three things to know before you book
Whitening lightens natural teeth only. Crowns, veneers, bridges and white fillings keep their colour, so if you have any at the front we will talk about whether they would need replacing afterwards to match.
It is for adults. Whitening is not carried out on under-18s except to treat disease, and we do not whiten during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
The result fades over time. Tea, coffee, red wine and smoking slowly bring colour back, which is why top-up gel is offered at a reduced rate for existing patients.
I would like to recommend Boutique Whitening by Vish at Tenbury Dental Centre. At 60+ and female I have, for as long as I can remember, wanted whiter teeth. This process is totally amazing and the results are truly stunning. I feel I have so much more confidence. The process is painless and easy and can be topped up as and when you want.
Sue Lancaster, Google review
Straightening and whitening
| Straightening and whitening | Fees |
|---|---|
|
Invisalign or clear aligners
The exact cost depends on how much your teeth need to move, and is confirmed after an assessment. |
Fees: £2,900 - £4,600 |
|
Advanced teeth whitening
Carried out under the supervision of a dentist, for patients aged 18 and over. |
Fees: From £495 |
How does teeth whitening work?
A hydrogen peroxide based gel is held against the teeth in custom-made trays. It passes into the enamel and breaks down the pigments and stains inside the tooth, so the natural colour of the tooth lightens. At Tenbury Dental Centre you wear the gel overnight at home over a couple of weeks.
Will whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Some people feel short bursts of sensitivity during a whitening course, usually because the gel dehydrates the tooth. We use water-based gels and close-fitting trays to limit that, and you can skip a night if your teeth feel tender. If it does happen, we have desensitising products and it settles once whitening stops.
Why not just buy a whitening kit online?
Products sold direct to the public in the UK are limited to 0.1 per cent hydrogen peroxide, which is too weak to make much difference. Stronger gels are only lawful when supplied by a dentist after an examination, and whitening by anyone who is not a registered dental professional is illegal. The examination is also what catches the things that spoil a result.
Will whitening lighten my crowns or veneers?
No. Whitening only changes natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers, bridges and white fillings keep the shade they were made in, so if you have any at the front of your mouth we will discuss whether they would need replacing afterwards to match your lighter teeth.
Can I whiten my teeth if I am pregnant?
We do not whiten during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There is no evidence that it is harmful, but there is also no research proving it is safe, so the sensible course is to wait. We are happy to examine you and make your trays ready for afterwards.
Do I need a check-up before whitening?
Yes. The law requires a dentist to examine you before prescribing whitening, and it matters clinically too: decay, gum disease, cracks and exposed roots all need treating first, and the cause of the discolouration affects how well whitening will work. If you are a new patient, the new patient consultation covers this.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
Whitening is £495 at Tenbury Dental Centre, which includes your examination for shade, custom-made trays and the gel for the course. Top-up gel afterwards is available at a reduced rate for our patients. See our fee list.
Find out what whitening would do for your teeth
A short examination tells you whether whitening is right for you and what result to expect. If a hygienist clean would do the job, we will say so.
£495. Adults only, after an examination by a dentist. Every mouth is different, so what is right for you is something we work out together at your consultation. Individual results vary. Or get in touch here.
Straighter teeth with removable, nearly invisible aligners, from £2,900. See your planned result on screen first. Invisalign, Smilelign, Spark and ClearCorrect available.
Wafer-thin hand-made porcelain shells, 0.3 to 1.0mm, bonded to the front of a tooth to fix gaps, chips, wear or shape. A prototype to approve first.