One gives you a result in an hour; the other gives you the same result over two weeks for less. Here's how to pick.
Professional whitening comes in two forms, and both work well. The choice is really about time, budget and how sensitive your teeth are.
In-chair whitening
A single appointment of about an hour, using a high-concentration gel applied by the dentist with your gums protected. You walk out several shades lighter the same day, which makes it ideal before a wedding, a photoshoot or a job interview. It's the more expensive option — typically $500–$1,000 on the Gold Coast — and some people get short-lived sensitivity afterwards.
Take-home whitening
We make custom-fitted trays from a scan of your teeth and give you a lower-concentration gel to wear for an hour a day, or overnight, for one to two weeks. The end result is just as good — some studies find it lasts longer — and it costs less, typically $300–$600. The gentler gel means less sensitivity, and you keep the trays for top-ups.
Our honest recommendation
For most patients, take-home trays are the better value. Choose in-chair when you need the result by a date, or combine the two: a chair session for the jump-start, then trays to maintain it. Whichever you choose, have a check-up first — whitening over decay or gum disease is uncomfortable and pointless — and know that dentist whitening is safe for enamel, unlike some online kits.
Related treatment
Teeth Whitening