Teeth Whitening

Professional whitening is generally safe for sensitive teeth when a dentist supervises it. We check your enamel and gums first, adjust the gel strength, and can slow the pace with take-home trays instead of a single in-office session. Some temporary sensitivity during treatment is normal and usually settles quickly. Tell us about past sensitivity so we can plan around it.

That depends mostly on what you eat, drink, and smoke afterward. Coffee, tea, red wine, soda, soy sauce, and tobacco pull stains back fastest, so cutting down or rinsing after them stretches your results considerably. Many patients keep a set of take-home trays to touch up occasionally. Regular cleanings also help by removing surface buildup before it sets.

It depends on whether you choose in-office Zoom whitening or custom take-home trays, and whether you need a cleaning first to remove buildup. Whitening is cosmetic, so most PPO plans do not cover it, but CareCredit financing is available. We quote your treatment in writing before you commit. Call (310) 855-2434 and we will walk you through the options.

Whitening gel only lightens natural tooth enamel, not porcelain or composite. Crowns, veneers, bonding, and fillings keep the shade they were made in, which can leave them looking darker or lighter than the teeth around them after treatment. If you have restorations in your smile zone, we plan the order of treatment so everything matches at the end.

Yes, in-office Zoom whitening is designed for exactly that. The light-activated gel brightens teeth up to 10 shades in about an hour, so a single appointment at our West Hollywood office can cover you before a wedding, a shoot, or a big night out. We recommend a cleaning first for the best result, so book both together if you can.