Professional Teeth Whitening to Brighten Your Smile
Teeth whitening is one of the most commonly requested cosmetic dental treatments, and it’s a form of dentistry that, by law, must only be carried out by a dentist, or by another regulated dental professional working under a dentist’s prescription and supervision.
At Dental Arts Studio in City Road and Enfield, London, our dentists assess your teeth to confirm whitening is suitable for you and talk you through which system and approach best suits your goals.
Teeth whitening use a peroxide-based gel to lighten the natural colour of your teeth, helping to reduce staining and discolouration that has built up over time. It works on the natural tooth surface and does not change the colour of any existing crowns, veneers, or fillings, which are something your dentist, will take into account when planning your treatment.
Whitening may be suitable if you have staining or discolouration caused by:
Everyday drinks and foods, such as tea, coffee, or red wine
Smoking or tobacco use
The natural ageing process
Certain medications taken during tooth development
Whitening lightens the existing shade of your teeth; it doesn’t change their shape or position. Your dentist will assess your teeth and discuss whether whitening, or a different cosmetic treatment, is more likely to achieve what you’re looking for.
Is Teeth Whitening Right for You?
You may want to discuss teeth whitening with our team if you:
Are unhappy with staining or discolouration on your natural teeth
Have healthy teeth and gums, as untreated decay or gum disease should generally be addressed first
Are aged 18 or over, as whitening involving peroxide is not carried out on younger patients other than for specific therapeutic reasons
Want a professional assessment of what shade change might realistically be achievable for you
Whitening isn’t suitable for everyone, and results vary depending on the type and extent of staining. It also won’t change the colour of existing crowns, veneers, or white fillings, which your dentist will discuss with you if this applies to your teeth.
Click to see real before/after cases on the smile gallery.
Whitening Systems We Offer
We offer a number of professional whitening systems, and your dentist will recommend the most suitable option for you based on your teeth and goals, which may include:
Enlighten
A combined home and in-practice system. You wear custom-made trays with a bleaching gel overnight for a set period, followed by a single in-practice whitening session to complete the treatment.
Opalescence
A take-home whitening kit using custom-fitted trays, allowing you to whiten your teeth gradually at home under your dentist’s guidance.
Boutique Whitening
Another custom take-home tray system, offering a flexible approach to whitening over a period of time that suits you.
Philips Zoom
An in-practice whitening system that can be completed in a single appointment, often combined with take-home top-up treatment where appropriate.
Which system is most suitable depends on your teeth, your timescale, and your preference for an in-practice appointment, an at-home routine, or a combination of both.
Before Your Whitening Treatment
Initial consultation
Your dentist examines your teeth and gums to confirm you’re a suitable candidate and discusses the shade change you’re hoping to achieve.
Choosing a system
Based on your teeth, goals, and preferences, your dentist recommends a suitable whitening system and explains what’s involved.
Setting realistic expectations
Your dentist will explain what shade change is realistically achievable for your teeth, as this varies from person to person and depends on the cause and extent of staining.
The Whitening Process
Step 1: Assessment and shade check
Your dentist checks that your teeth are suitable for whitening and records your current shade for reference.
Step 2: Preparing custom trays (if applicable)
For take-home systems, impressions are taken to create trays that fit your teeth precisely.
Step 3: Applying the whitening gel
Depending on the system, this is either carried out in-practice, where your gums are protected before the gel is applied, or at home using your custom trays as instructed.
Step 4: Completing the course
You follow the recommended schedule for your chosen system, whether that’s a single in-practice visit or a course of at-home use over a set number of days.
Step 5: Review
Your dentist checks your results and discusses how to help maintain your new shade going forward.
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
For suitable patients, professional whitening may help:
Lighten the shade of staining or discoloured teeth
Be carried out under the guidance of a dental professional, who can monitor for sensitivity or other issues
Use custom-fitted trays for take-home systems, helping to protect gums and ensure even application
Support confidence in your smile
The degree of whitening achieved varies between individuals, and your dentist will discuss what’s realistically possible for your teeth rather than promising a specific result.
Cost of Teeth Whitening
The cost of whitening depends on which system is recommended and whether it’s carried out in-practice, at home, or as a combination of both.
Treatment fees
We provide clear costs before any treatment begins, so you can make an informed decision without pressure.
Payment and finance
[Finance options](https://www.dentalartsstudio.co.uk/dental-finance/) may be available to help spread the cost of treatment — please ask our team for details.
Looking after your teeth afterwards can help you enjoy your results for longer, although some degree of re-staining is a normal part of ageing and diet over time.
Be mindful of staining foods and drinks — Tea, coffee, red wine, and tobacco are common causes of new staining.
Maintain good oral hygiene — Brush twice daily and clean between your teeth to support your results.
Attend regular hygiene appointments — Routine cleaning can help manage surface staining between whitening treatments.
Consider top-up treatments — Many take-home systems allow occasional top-ups to help maintain your shade over time.
Contact us if you experience ongoing sensitivity — Some temporary sensitivity is common during treatment, but let us know if it persists or concerns you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I suitable for teeth whitening?
This depends on the health of your teeth and gums, the cause of any staining, and your age, as whitening involving peroxide is only carried out on patients 18 or over, other than for specific therapeutic reasons. A consultation with our dentists will confirm whether whitening is right for you.
Does teeth whitening damage the enamel?
Professional whitening carried out by a dentist works on the surface of the tooth and does not remove or damage the enamel. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity during or after treatment, which your dentist can advise on managing.
How much whiter will my teeth get?
This varies between individuals and depends on the cause and extent of your staining. Your dentist will discuss what’s realistically achievable for your teeth during your consultation, rather than guaranteeing a specific shade.
Will whitening change the colour of my crowns, veneers, or fillings?
No. Whitening only affects natural tooth enamel, so any existing restorations will stay their current colour. Your dentist can discuss this with you if it’s relevant to your treatment plan.
How long do teeth whitening results last?
This varies between individuals and depends on diet, lifestyle, and oral hygiene. Many people find their results last for some months before a top-up treatment is needed.
How much does teeth whitening cost?
Costs vary depending on the whitening system recommended for you. We provide clear costs before any treatment begins so you know what to expect.
Is it legal to get my teeth whitened by a beautician or non-dental professional?
In the UK, whitening treatments involving peroxide can, by law, only be carried out by a dentist or another regulated dental professional working under a dentist’s prescription. Treatments offered outside of this are not legally permitted and may carry additional risk.
Ready to Brighten Your Smile? Book a Consultation
If you’d like to explore your options for teeth whitening, book a consultation with our team. We’ll assess your teeth and talk you through the systems available and what’s realistically achievable for you.
Alongside standard private dentist appointments, we offer weekend, Saturday, and late night availability for patients in Enfield, and support corporate dental care and lunchtime dental checkups for those visiting us from City Road and Old Street, with same day appointments where possible.
