Cosmetic
Professional teeth whitening, in-chair or at home.
Brighter, more even results than over-the-counter products — using a higher-strength gel under controlled conditions. Two ways to do it: one in-chair visit, or take-home trays over two weeks.
How professional whitening works
Whitening gels lift the colour of your tooth enamel by breaking down stain molecules that have built up over time — from coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, and just years of use. Professional whitening uses carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide at higher concentrations than you can buy over the counter, applied under controlled clinical conditions for safer and more even results.
There's a limit to what whitening can do, though. It lifts the colour of natural enamel — but it won't change the colour of crowns, veneers, fillings or implant-supported teeth. If you have visible restorations on the teeth you want to whiten, we'll discuss that at your consultation before treatment starts.
Two options
| In-chair whitening | Take-home whitening | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | One appointment at Oracare | At home with custom trays |
| Time | Around 60–90 minutes in the chair | 30–60 minutes a day for 2 weeks |
| Strength | Higher-concentration gel | Lower-concentration gel |
| Pace of result | Fastest — visible change same visit | Gradual over the two weeks |
| Best for | Patients with a deadline (wedding, event) or who prefer one-and-done | Patients who want a slower approach, or to refresh results over time |
| Maintenance | We can make take-home trays as a top-up kit | The trays stay yours — refill gel from us when you need touch-ups |
You can also combine them — in-chair for the initial lift, then take-home trays for maintenance when you need it (often a few nights every 6–12 months, per the longevity FAQ below).
What to expect — in-chair
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Step 1
Consultation. We check the health of your teeth and gums, take photos and a colour reading of your current shade, and discuss what's realistic to expect. If there's active decay or gum disease, we'll stabilise that first — whitening works best on healthy teeth.
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Step 2
In-chair session. We protect your gums and lips, apply the higher-strength gel to your teeth, and activate it across one or two cycles depending on how much shade change you want. Most appointments run 60–90 minutes.
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Step 3
Post-treatment. We record the new shade, talk through the white diet (avoiding deeply coloured food and drink for the first 48 hours), and offer take-home trays if you'd like to maintain or extend the result.
For the take-home option, Step 1 is the same consultation visit; we then scan and fabricate your custom trays at the lab. You collect the trays at a second short visit with the gel and instructions, then run the protocol at home over 2 weeks. We check in at the end and re-photograph the result.
Common questions
How does in-chair whitening compare to over-the-counter products?
Professional in-chair whitening uses a higher concentration of whitening agent applied under controlled conditions — so the result is typically faster, more even, and longer-lasting than what you'd get from a supermarket kit. Over-the-counter strips and toothpaste can lift surface stain a shade or two, but they may not reach the level of change you're after.
How long do whitening results last?
Results typically last 12–24 months, depending on your diet, habits and oral hygiene. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking re-stain teeth faster. Touch-ups with take-home trays — usually 2–3 nights every 6–12 months — keep the result fresh for longer.
Will it hurt? Will my teeth be sensitive?
Most patients experience mild, short-lived sensitivity to cold for 24–48 hours after treatment — particularly after in-chair sessions where the gel is stronger. We use a desensitising gel after the whitening to reduce this, and recommend a sensitivity-formula toothpaste for the week after. If you have a history of sensitive teeth, mention it at consultation — we may steer you toward the take-home option with a gentler gel.
Will it work on crowns, veneers or fillings?
No. Whitening gels lift the colour of natural enamel only — restorations don't change shade. If you have visible crowns, veneers or composite fillings on your front teeth, those restorations will stay the colour they are. We'll point this out at your consultation. For some patients the right answer is whitening first, then replacing visible restorations to match the new shade.
Are there teeth that won't whiten?
Some kinds of staining respond better than others. Yellow-brown stains from coffee, tea and ageing usually lift well. Tetracycline staining (a side-effect of certain antibiotics given in childhood) and severe fluorosis (deep mineral discolouration, often from childhood fluoride exposure) are intrinsic — whitening can soften them but rarely removes them fully. For deep intrinsic staining, veneers are often a better answer than repeated whitening.
Is whitening safe?
Professional whitening using clinically-approved gels and properly-fitted trays is safe for healthy teeth and gums. The gum and lip isolation we do before in-chair sessions prevents the gel from touching soft tissue. Mild sensitivity is the most common side-effect; it's temporary. Whitening is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for patients under 18 (still-developing enamel) — we'd defer until those windows have passed. Parents of teenagers can book a consultation — we'll assess suitability and timing then.
Will my health fund cover whitening?
Most health funds classify teeth whitening as a cosmetic procedure and don't rebate it. A few extras policies include partial coverage. We'll check what your fund allows at consultation — if there's no rebate, we'll be upfront and you'll only pay the quoted gap. See Payment options.
Cost & funding
HICAPS on the spot for any covered portion. Most funds don't rebate whitening because it's classified as cosmetic — we'll confirm what's covered at your consultation and quote the full out-of-pocket before treatment. Interest-free in-house payment plans are available for combined cosmetic plans. Full detail on Payment options.
Related services
Ready to brighten your smile?
Start with a consultation — we'll match the right option to your goals, your sensitivity and your timeline.