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(07) 5526 0111
Woman in tinted glasses under a whitening light in a dental chair

Teeth whitening on the Gold Coast

Professional whitening lightens natural teeth with a peroxide gel, either in one visit in the chair or gradually at home with custom trays. It works on staining from tea, coffee, red wine and smoking, and less well on discolouration from inside the tooth. We check your teeth and gums first, and results vary from person to person.

Or call

(07) 5526 0111

Open Monday to Friday

Whitening may not suit you if

  • You're pregnant or breastfeeding
  • You have sensitive teeth, gum disease, cracks or untreated decay
  • The discolouration comes from inside the tooth, for example after an injury or certain antibiotics in early childhood
  • Crowns, veneers or fillings on your front teeth would no longer match

That's why we check your teeth and gums before you start.

How whitening works

  1. A check first

    We examine your teeth and gums, look at any fillings and crowns, and note your starting shade.

  2. In the chair

    Your gums are protected, then a professional-strength gel is applied and activated. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes.

  3. Or at home

    We make trays from a scan or impression of your teeth. You wear them with the gel for a set time each day, usually for one to two weeks.

  4. Keeping it up

    Take-home trays are often used after in-chair whitening to help keep teeth lighter.

In-chair or take-home?

  • In-chair

    Done in one visit with a stronger gel applied by your dentist. Can suit you if you have an event coming up.

  • Take-home

    Custom trays and gel you use each day for one to two weeks. Slower, but that doesn't make the result better or worse.

  • Veneers or crowns

    If the colour comes from inside the tooth, or old fillings and crowns won't match, these may suit better.

    Read about Veneers

Good to know

Fillings and crowns won't change colour

The gel only works on natural enamel. Crowns, veneers and tooth-coloured fillings stay the same shade, so they may no longer match once the teeth around them are lighter.

Why professional supervision matters

In Australia, whitening products with more than 6% hydrogen peroxide can only be used by registered dental professionals. Strong gels can burn the gums, lips and tongue, which is why the gums are protected during treatment.

Shop-bought products

Whitening toothpastes mainly lift surface stains. Supermarket kits must be much weaker than professional gels.

Keeping teeth lighter

Brush and floss every day, avoid smoking, and rinse with water after coffee, tea and red wine.

Side effects

  • Sensitivity to cold is the most common side effect, and usually settles within a few days.
  • Gum irritation if the gel touches the gums.
  • Results vary, and colour gradually returns over time, faster with coffee, tea, red wine and smoking.

Call us if

  • Sensitivity is severe or lasts more than a couple of days
  • Your gums are sore or have turned white where the gel touched them
(07) 5526 0111

After hours, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84, or 000 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.

What it costs

  • 118

    In-chair whitening, per tooth

    Bleaching, external, per tooth

    Per tooth

    [Fee]
  • 119

    Take-home whitening trays and gel, per arch

    Bleaching, home application, per arch

    Per arch

    [Fee]
  • 117

    Whitening a root-filled tooth from inside

    Bleaching, internal, per tooth

    Per tooth

    [Fee]

Fees last reviewed [Fee review date]

Whitening is cosmetic, so Medicare doesn't cover it and many health funds don't either. Check with yours.

We accept all private health funds and claim on the spot with HICAPS.

  • Philips Zoom in-chair whitening with take-home trays

    $650

    Subject to a check of your teeth and gums first, as whitening doesn't suit everyone. [Offer terms: what's included, and any conditions]

All fees and health funds

Questions about teeth whitening

How white will my teeth get?

It depends on your natural shade and what's causing the discolouration. We'll give you a realistic idea after checking your teeth.

Will whitening make my teeth sensitive?

Some people get mild, temporary sensitivity during or after whitening, especially if their teeth are already sensitive. It usually settles within a few days. Tell us if sensitivity worries you.

Can whitening damage my teeth or gums?

The most common side effects are sensitivity to cold and gum irritation, which usually settle within a day or two. Strong gels can irritate or burn the gums, lips and tongue, so they're applied carefully. Come back and see us if either lasts more than a couple of days.

How long does whitening last?

It varies. Colour gradually returns, faster with coffee, tea, red wine and smoking. Occasional touch-up treatments with your take-home trays can help.

Can I whiten my veneers or crowns?

No. Whitening gel only lightens natural enamel.

Related treatments

Further reading

Clinical content reviewed by [Clinical reviewer and registration number] on [Review date].

Teeth whitening at The Dental Studio

Who provides it here

What we use

We use Philips Zoom for in-chair whitening, and custom-made trays for take-home whitening.

Referred elsewhere

[What we refer out, if anything]

Or call

(07) 5526 0111

Open Monday to Friday

After hours, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84, or 000 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing.

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