Coffee, wine, and time all take a toll on enamel shade — an in-office treatment resets it in about an hour. Smile Center Dentistry checks your enamel and gums before recommending a strength.
Whitening done without a dental exam first can mask decay or worsen sensitivity — we check both before treatment. We'd rather delay a whitening session than treat over a cavity we haven't addressed.
We calibrate gel concentration to your enamel condition, not a one-strength-fits-all approach. We adjust based on what your specific exam shows, not a default setting.
We check for cavities and gum recession before whitening, since treating over untreated decay can cause real pain. This exam is included in your visit, not billed as a separate add-on.
Both options use professional-grade gel, just at different concentrations and timelines. We help you decide based on your timeline and sensitivity, not just what's more profitable for us.
Desensitizing gel and post-treatment guidance are part of every whitening visit, not an upsell. Most sensitivity fades within a day or two when managed properly.
Results and timelines vary by starting shade and enamel condition, and we're upfront about that.
One appointment, professional-grade gel, and a shade guide comparison before and after. We monitor sensitivity throughout the session rather than applying gel and walking away.
Trays molded to your exact bite let you whiten gradually at home with a lower-concentration gel. We check your progress at a follow-up to confirm even results.
Realistic outcome expectations are set at this visit — whitening lightens natural enamel, not crowns or veneers. This appointment also flags any restorations that won't whiten along with natural teeth.
Desensitizing gel is applied before and after treatment for patients prone to sensitive teeth. Post-visit care instructions are given verbally and in writing.
Take-home touch-up trays let you maintain your shade without a full in-office visit each time. We recommend a schedule based on your diet and habits, not a generic interval.
Deeper staining from certain medications or fluorosis responds differently than surface staining and may need a longer protocol. Realistic expectations are set at your shade consult, not after treatment disappoints you.
We ask about sensitivity history when you book, so we're prepared for your specific case.
This quick exam determines whether in-office or take-home whitening fits you better.
Sensitivity is monitored throughout, with gel timing adjusted if needed.
We schedule touch-ups based on your habits, not a generic calendar reminder.
"Did the in-office session before my wedding. Noticeably brighter after one hour and no sensitivity afterward."
"Sensitive teeth usually make whitening miserable for me, but they adjusted the gel strength and it was totally manageable."
"Six months later, a quick touch-up tray kept my results from fading. Way cheaper than starting over."
"They told me my old crown wouldn't whiten with the rest of my teeth, which saved me from an uneven result."
"Combined an in-office session with take-home trays for maintenance. Best of both approaches."
We compare your before-and-after against a shade guide so the improvement isn't just a guess. We'll give you a realistic expectation at your consult based on your current shade.
Overuse of drugstore products without supervision is more likely to cause sensitivity than a professionally managed treatment. Supervised whitening is safer precisely because someone is watching for problems.
Typically six months to two years depending on diet, smoking, and oral hygiene habits. A touch-up schedule tailored to your habits helps extend results significantly.
We flag any crowns or veneers upfront so you're not surprised by an uneven result later. If a mismatch would result, we discuss options honestly before you commit to treatment.
Sensitivity is common and manageable — we tailor the approach rather than skipping whitening altogether. Most sensitive patients tolerate a properly calibrated protocol well.
Both use professional-grade gel; the choice usually comes down to your timeline and sensitivity level. We'll walk through the trade-offs honestly at your shade consult.
Our whitening program serves Arden Hills and the surrounding zip codes with the same enamel-safe protocol at every visit. New and existing patients throughout Arden Hills are welcome to book a shade consult first.
Licensed, gentle, and local to Arden Hills — call and ask about your options.
Call +1-866-227-2801