Teeth Whitening in Mount Lawley — In-Chair & Take-Home

At Dental On Railway our pricing is fixed and transparent: in-chair whitening is $350 and a custom-fitted take-home whitening kit is $150. Both include the professional examination and shade assessment that make whitening safe. Prices for professional whitening vary considerably across Perth, so we're proud to offer genuine dentist-supervised whitening at this level. We generally recommend having a scale and clean beforehand for the most even result — new patients can combine this with our $295 offer, which covers a comprehensive exam, clean, OPG and bitewing X-rays and a treatment plan.

Both use the same underlying chemistry and both work well; the difference is pace and convenience. In-chair whitening at $350 gives you a visible result in one appointment, which suits anyone with a wedding, graduation or event approaching, and requires no discipline at home. Take-home whitening at $150 works more gradually over one to two weeks, tends to produce slightly less sensitivity, and leaves you with custom trays you keep for inexpensive top-ups. Many patients choose a combination. We'll recommend the option that best fits your teeth, your timeframe and your budget.

Typically one to three years, though it varies enormously with lifestyle. Heavy coffee, tea, red wine or smoking will shorten it; good brushing, regular cleans and drinking staining beverages through a straw will extend it. This is where take-home trays are so valuable — a single night of top-up gel every six to twelve months keeps you at your target shade indefinitely for a very small cost. Whitening isn't permanent, but it is easy to maintain once you've done the initial course.

Yes, when it's supervised by a dentist. Professional whitening gels have been extensively studied and do not soften or damage enamel at the concentrations and exposure times we use. What does cause problems is whitening without an examination — gel reaching untreated decay, leaking filling margins or exposed root surfaces can cause significant sensitivity or pain, and gel contacting gums without a barrier causes irritation. That examination is exactly what you're paying for with professional whitening, and it's why we won't supply gel without seeing you first.

Some transient sensitivity is common — usually short, sharp twinges in response to cold that appear during or shortly after treatment and settle within a day or two. It's caused by the peroxide temporarily increasing dentine permeability, not by damage. We manage it with desensitising agents applied in the chair, high-fluoride toothpaste before and after, and by adjusting gel strength or wear time for take-home patients. If you know your teeth are sensitive, tell us before we start and we'll plan around it.

Over-the-counter products sold in Australia are legally limited to very low peroxide concentrations, so results are modest at best and often barely perceptible. Charcoal and other abrasive whitening pastes are more concerning — they remove surface stain by physically scrubbing enamel, and used regularly they can wear it thin, which ironically makes teeth look more yellow as the dentine beneath shows through. One-size-fits-all mouthpieces also allow gel to leak onto gums. Professional whitening at $150 to $350 usually works out better value than repeatedly buying products that don't deliver.

No. Ceramic and composite restorations keep their original colour, so if you have crowns, veneers or tooth-coloured fillings on your front teeth they will stay exactly as they are while your natural teeth lighten around them. That can leave a visible mismatch. We assess this before you start and, if replacement is likely to be needed, we'll tell you upfront so you can factor it into your decision. The usual sequence is to whiten first, allow the shade to stabilise for around two weeks, then match new restorations to the final colour.

Most adults can, but not everyone. We generally don't whiten during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for children and younger teenagers. Teeth with heavy internal staining — from tetracycline, fluorosis or trauma — respond less predictably and may be better addressed with veneers or bonding. Untreated decay, active gum disease and cracked teeth need treating first. At your consultation Dr Frame will examine your teeth and give you a realistic view of what whitening can and can't achieve for you.