Whitening acts on the shade of natural teeth. It does not lighten a crown, a veneer or a composite filling, which keep their original colour. That is the first thing to know, because a restored front tooth can stand out darker after a successful whitening of its neighbours. The preliminary assessment is precisely there to spot that kind of situation before starting.
What the assessment checks
Before any whitening, the dentist checks for the absence of cavities, the state of the gums and the presence of restorations on the visible teeth. An untreated cavity or a receding gum lets the product reach sensitive areas. Scaling often comes before whitening, because a deposit of tartar or a surface stain comes off without any lightening product, and because the result is judged on clean teeth.
What to expect
The result depends on the starting shade, the cause of the discolouration and how your teeth respond. Staining linked to coffee, tea or tobacco generally responds well. A grey shade from birth or an old discolouration within the thickness of the tooth responds less. The practitioner tells you what is realistic in your case rather than the same promise for everyone, and shows you on a shade guide where you start from.
Sensitivity during treatment
Sensitivity to cold during the treatment days is common and disappears once it stops. It is managed by spacing out the sessions or adjusting the concentration of the product. Mention it, the protocol adapts.
After whitening
The shade obtained changes over time, depending on habits. Limiting staining drinks in the first days and keeping a regular hygiene routine prolongs the result. A touch-up can be considered later, always after a check-up. If you are hesitating between whitening and veneers, the page that compares the two will help you prepare the consultation.
2026-09-14