Teeth whitening
We offer several whitening courses: office, home, and dual, so we can suggest the option that fits the shade you want and your lifestyle.
- If yellowing or discoloration bothers you so much that you hold back your smile
- If you want to try whitening but aren’t sure where to start
Please talk to us first.
Whitening is a cosmetic treatment that uses a special agent to break down the pigment that has built up inside your tooth enamel, brightening the natural color of the tooth itself. Unlike cleaning, which removes surface stains, whitening breaks down pigment from within the tooth, so it can improve the tooth’s own underlying yellowing in a way cleaning alone cannot.
高田馬場歯科・矯正歯科 offers office whitening, home whitening, and dual whitening that combines both, with a choice of two whitening agents, Opalescence and Tion. We also offer walking bleach for darkening in teeth with no nerve, which regular whitening usually can’t improve. If you’d like to change the impression your smile gives, please talk to us first.
Features of our whitening
Whitening comes in three forms: office whitening, done at the clinic; home whitening, done at home; and dual whitening, which combines both. Which suits you best depends on the shade you want and how often you can visit. We offer all three, and after hearing about your current tooth color, the cause of the discoloration, and what you’d like at a consultation, we suggest the most effective course.
Whether you just want to get whiter fast, would rather take the time to let the shade settle in, or want the result to last as long as possible, we can meet whichever you’re after.
Agents used only in dental practices, for real whitening a store product can’t match
The whitening agents we use, Opalescence and Tion, are approved for use only in dental practices. Their concentration is higher than store-bought whitening products, so they can break down pigment inside the tooth effectively — which is what makes real whitening achievable.
We adjust the agent, its concentration, and the light exposure time to suit your mouth, so treatment can proceed with sensitivity kept to a minimum.
Walking bleach available too, for darkening in a tooth that has had its nerve removed
A tooth that has had root canal treatment (removing the nerve) can darken from the inside over time. Regular whitening can’t treat this kind of discoloration, but we also offer walking bleach, a method that whitens the tooth from the inside.
Types of whitening, and how to choose
| Office | Home | Dual (office + home) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it’s done | Clinic | Home | Both |
| Speed of results | ◎ | △ | ◎ |
| Whitening effect | ○ | ○ | ◎ |
| How long it lasts | △ | ◎ | ◎ |
| Number of visits | 1 to 3 visits | Few | Several visits |
| Best for | Those who want fast results, or have a special occasion coming up | Those who prefer to go at their own pace | Those who want the strongest effect and the longest-lasting result |
Whitening options at our clinic
Office whitening (one set)
At the clinic, we apply a special high-concentration whitening gel to your teeth and shine an LED light on it to break down the pigment. One set is three 8-minute sessions, and its strength is speed — most people can see their teeth looking brighter the same day. It suits anyone ahead of an important event, or who wants results in a short time.
Office triple course
This course spreads three sets of office whitening (72 minutes of LED exposure in total) across three days. It offers a stronger whitening effect than a single session, and suits anyone who wants to pursue whiteness intensively over a short time.
Perfect whitening set (dual whitening)
This set combines the office triple course (3 days) with home whitening. Because you whiten quickly at the office, then let home whitening settle and extend that result, it’s the dual approach — and it offers the strongest whitening effect and the longest-lasting result of the three courses.
Home whitening
We give you a custom tray made to your own tooth shape, along with a dedicated whitening gel, so you can whiten at home at your own pace. It works more slowly than office whitening, but because the pigment breaks down gradually, the whiteness tends to settle in and last longer.
Walking bleach (for discoloration in a tooth with no nerve)
If a tooth that’s had root canal treatment starts darkening from the inside, regular whitening often has little effect, because the agent can only reach it from the outer surface. Walking bleach seals the agent directly inside the tooth and bleaches it from within. Because it improves the discoloration without drilling the tooth, you can also talk to us about trying it before considering a crown.
That said, depending on the condition of the tooth and how the root canal treatment went, it may not always apply, so we’ll check your mouth first before we suggest it.
How long whitening lasts, and its effect
The effect varies from person to person
How well whitening works depends on your tooth’s original color, the cause of the discoloration, and your lifestyle. Even with the same course, results vary from person to person, so at your consultation we check your current state and explain what change you can expect.
Office and home whitening last for different lengths of time
In general, office whitening works quickly but tends to fade sooner, while home whitening breaks down pigment slowly, so the result tends to settle in and hold. Dual whitening draws on both strengths, which suits anyone who values a lasting result.
Everyday habits affect how long the whiteness lasts
Avoiding staining foods and drinks, such as coffee, red wine, curry, and the like, for a while after treatment, and keeping up regular cleanings, both matter for making the whiteness last.
A touch-up can keep the whiteness going
If you start noticing the whiteness fading, buying more home whitening gel for a touch-up (a color top-up) makes it easier to keep the shade. Feel free to bring this up at a regular maintenance visit.
The treatment process
Consultation and oral check
We ask about your current tooth color, the state of any discoloration, and the shade you’re after. If you have cavities or periodontal disease, we treat those first.
Recommending a course and agent
Based on the condition of your mouth and what you want, we suggest the best course and agent. We explain the cost, effect, and precautions, and begin only once you’re comfortable going ahead.
Treatment (office) / handing over your tray (home)
Office whitening is carried out at the clinic. For home whitening, we make your tray, hand it over, and explain how to use it. Opalescence Go can be handed to you on the same day you visit.
Checking results, and touch-ups
We check how the color has changed after treatment. We can carry out additional treatment or a touch-up if you’d like. Together with regular maintenance, let’s keep that whiteness going.
Price guide
| Course | Details | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|---|
| Office whitening | 1 set (three 8-minute sessions) | ¥33,000 |
| Office triple course | 3 days (3 sets total, 72 minutes) | ¥82,500 |
| Perfect whitening set | Dual (office triple + home) | ¥104,500 |
| Home whitening | One arch | ¥22,000 |
| Home whitening | Both arches | ¥33,000 |
| Opalescence Go | Pack of 10 | ¥22,000 |
*All whitening is private-pay treatment (not covered by insurance). Results vary from person to person. If you have cavities or periodontal disease, that needs treating first.
Frequently asked questions
Can whitening make my teeth sensitive?
You may notice something like sensitivity for a while after treatment — a sting from anything cold, or a tingling feeling. In most cases this settles within a few hours to about a day. If your teeth are already sensitive, please tell us before treatment. We can adjust the agent and its concentration to ease the symptoms while still going ahead.
What’s the difference between cleaning and whitening?
Cleaning (surface polishing) is a mechanical treatment that removes stains, discoloration, and tartar stuck to the tooth surface. Whitening, by contrast, uses a special agent to chemically break down pigment inside the tooth, brightening its natural color. There’s a limit to how much staining cleaning can remove, so if you want your teeth whiter than their natural color, whitening is what you need.
How long do whitening results last?
It depends on the course and your lifestyle, but as a general rule, office whitening lasts a few months and home whitening lasts around six months to a year. If you consume a lot of coffee, red wine, cigarettes, or other things prone to staining, the effect tends to fade sooner. Doing a touch-up as soon as you notice the whiteness fading makes it easier to hold onto in the long run.
Does whitening work on crowns or artificial teeth?
Whitening agents only act on natural teeth. Artificial materials — crowns, dentures, fillings, and the like — won’t become whiter. Because of that, a tooth with an artificial restoration can end up a different shade from the natural teeth around it. If that concerns you, we can also talk about matching the shade of the restoration after whitening — please bring it up at your consultation.
Can I have whitening while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We don’t offer whitening during pregnancy or breastfeeding, because its safety hasn’t been fully established for that group. Please do talk to us once you’ve given birth or finished breastfeeding.
