Free Teeth Whitening
New clients only. Inquire while booking your appointment.
In-Office vs. Take-Home Whitening: Which Is Right for You?
We offer two professional whitening options.
The right choice depends on how quickly you want results, your sensitivity level, and how you prefer to manage the process.
In-Office Whitening
In-office whitening uses a high-concentration whitening gel applied directly to your teeth, activated with a curing light. Most patients achieve 6–10 shades of improvement in a single 60–90 minute appointment.
Best for:
- Upcoming events — wedding, graduation, job interview, reunion
- Patients who want fast, highly predictable results
- People who find it hard to maintain a daily at-home routine
Sensitivity note: In-office whitening causes more transient sensitivity than take-home trays. Most patients describe it as brief tooth zingers to cold — it resolves within 24–48 hours. We recommend avoiding very hot or cold foods and acidic drinks for the day of and day after treatment.
Custom Take-Home Whitening Trays
We take impressions (or digital scans) of your teeth and fabricate trays fitted precisely to your arches. You apply professional-strength gel at home — typically 30–60 minutes daily — for 10–14 days.
Results are comparable to in-office whitening over the two-week period. Many patients prefer this option because the sensitivity is more gradual and manageable, and the trays are reusable — future top-ups only require refill gel, making long-term maintenance much more affordable.
Best for:
- Patients who prefer gradual whitening with less sensitivity
- Those who want ongoing maintenance over months and years
- Moderate discolouration that doesn’t require the fastest possible result
What to Expect: Before, During, and After
Before your appointment: We do a brief exam to confirm you’re a good candidate. Whitening works on natural tooth enamel — it will not change the shade of crowns, veneers, or composite resin fillings. If you have visible restorations, we’ll discuss realistic expectations upfront before you commit.
During: In-office treatment is entirely chairside — nothing required from you beyond sitting back. For take-home trays, we walk you through the application technique and answer questions at pickup.
After: Avoid dark-staining foods and drinks — coffee, red wine, dark tea, berries, soy sauce — for 48 hours post-treatment. Your enamel is temporarily more porous and absorbs pigment faster in this window. After 48 hours, normal habits are fine. For take-home tray patients, the same 48-hour window applies after your last tray session.
How Much Does Teeth Whitening Cost in Calgary?
Calgary dental clinics typically charge $400–$800 for in-office whitening and $300–$500 for custom take-home trays. We provide a clear quote at your consultation — no guessing, no billing surprises.
Note: teeth whitening is cosmetic and is not covered by dental insurance or the Canadian Dental Care Plan.
If cost is a factor, take-home trays deliver comparable results at a lower upfront price. And because the trays last for years, future touch-ups cost only the refill gel — which is a fraction of the initial investment.
Results: What to Realistically Expect
Most patients achieve a noticeably whiter result — typically 4–10 shades on the Vita shade guide, depending on starting shade and stain type. We’ll show you the shade guide at your consultation and set a realistic target together.
Whitening works best on:
- Yellow-tone discolouration from aging, coffee, tea, or wine — responds very well
- Brown staining from tobacco or dark food — responds well, may require multiple sessions
- Mild fluorosis — white spot cases can improve with careful whitening
Whitening works less well on:
- Tetracycline staining (antibiotic-related grey or brown banding) — these require a different approach, often veneers
- Crowns, bridges, or veneers — existing restorations don’t respond to whitening gel
- Very dark or intrinsic staining — we’ll give you an honest assessment before you start
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does professional teeth whitening last in Calgary?
12–24 months for most patients, depending on diet and oral hygiene. Coffee, red wine, and dark tea drinkers typically see faster re-staining. Patients with custom take-home trays can do simple 1-week top-ups every 6–12 months to maintain their shade indefinitely.
Does teeth whitening hurt?
Professional whitening can cause temporary sensitivity — typically brief cold sensitivity during or shortly after treatment. This resolves within 24–48 hours for in-office patients and is usually more mild with take-home trays. If you’re prone to sensitivity, let us know before starting — we can use desensitizing products before and after treatment.
Can I whiten if I have fillings, crowns, or veneers?
Whitening gel does not change the shade of restorations. If you have crowns or composite fillings in visible areas, we’ll flag this at your consultation. In some cases, whitening first and then replacing a restoration to match the new shade is the right sequence — we’ll walk you through the options.
Is professional whitening safe?
Yes, when done under clinical supervision. The peroxide concentrations used in professional whitening are well-studied. The risk of enamel damage comes from overuse, which is why we guide the process and recommend maintenance rather than repeated aggressive whitening sessions back-to-back.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have cavities or gum disease?
No — we’ll treat any active decay or gum issues first. Whitening with untreated cavities can be painful and worsen existing problems. A brief exam confirms you’re in good shape to start.
To learn more about this service & to begin your journey, Book your next visit at Woodcreek Dental Care
