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With in-office bleaching we whiten your teeth in a single session – with a whitening gel that may only be used in a dental practice. How white your teeth become varies from person to person, so we cannot promise a specific shade.
How bleaching works
Consultation and information: we record the starting shade of your teeth and discuss the method, risks, alternatives and limits of bleaching.
Preparation: teeth and gums must be healthy. We treat decay, leaking fillings or inflammation first; ideally professional teeth cleaning comes beforehand.
Protecting the gums: the gums are covered with a special gum barrier before the gel is applied.
Whitening: the bleaching gel is applied in several rounds. The whole session takes about an hour.
Result: the final shade shows after 48 to 72 hours.
Who is bleaching suitable for – and who is it not suitable for?
Bleaching is an option if your teeth and gums are healthy and you would like whiter teeth. It is a purely cosmetic treatment and not medically necessary. Bleaching is not suitable for:
pregnant or breastfeeding women
anyone under 18
patients with severe gum problems
anyone allergic to ingredients of the bleaching gel
Important: crowns, bridges, veneers, implants, dentures and fillings do not whiten. If their colour differs visibly after bleaching, they may need to be replaced at your own cost.
Dentist, beauty salon or online product?
In the EU, teeth whitening products containing more than 0.1 per cent hydrogen peroxide may only be sold to dentists, and the first application must take place in a dental practice. Beauty salons and over-the-counter products therefore work with much weaker agents or with other substances.
A second difference is protecting the gums: when bleaching is done at the practice, they are covered before the gel is applied, because an effective bleaching gel would otherwise irritate them. We also check beforehand whether decay, leaking fillings or inflammation need treating.
How white will my teeth be – and how long does it last?
Every tooth reacts differently to bleaching. The result therefore cannot be predicted exactly, and sometimes several sessions are needed to reach the shade you want. White spots that were already there may stand out more in the first few days; this usually evens out within a few days.
How long the whitening lasts depends largely on your lifestyle: coffee, tea, red wine, nicotine and other staining foods make teeth darken again more quickly. Thorough oral hygiene and regular professional cleaning help the result last longer.
How much does teeth whitening cost in Singen?
Because bleaching is a purely cosmetic treatment, health insurers do not cover the costs. We tell you the price at the consultation before treatment. Further sessions and later top-ups are not included and are charged separately – even if the result you want is not reached in one session. Read more under costs and billing.
After bleaching
avoid staining food and drink such as coffee, tea and red wine, and nicotine, for 48 hours
take care with hot and cold food
brush as usual, but do not use toothpastes with coarse abrasives (“smokers’ toothpastes”)
For a while your teeth may be sensitive to cold or heat, you may feel brief, sharp twinges of pain or your gums may be slightly irritated. These symptoms usually ease quickly; serious complications are very rare.
Frequently asked questions about bleaching
How long does bleaching take?
The session at the practice takes about an hour. You see the final shade after 48 to 72 hours.
Does bleaching hurt?
After treatment your teeth may be sensitive to cold or heat for a short time, and some patients feel brief, sharp twinges of pain. This usually passes quickly.
Will fillings and crowns become whiter too?
No. Fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers, implants and dentures keep their colour. We discuss before bleaching whether a visible difference could result.
Should I have my teeth cleaned first?
Yes, ideally professional teeth cleaning comes before bleaching. It removes surface stains; only bleaching changes the actual colour of the teeth.
Does health insurance pay for it?
No. Bleaching is a cosmetic treatment, so health insurers do not cover the costs.
You will find more answers in our FAQ on teeth whitening.
Teeth whitening consultation in Singen
Whether bleaching is right for you and what result is realistic is something we clarify at a consultation. Our practice is just a few minutes from the Swiss border – patients from Switzerland will find more information under Dentist for patients from Switzerland. Request an appointment now.