Cosmetic · Since 1987
Teeth Whitening in Wilmington, NC
Professional whitening reaches shades that strips and toothpastes cannot, and it does it without the gum burns people get from over-the-counter kits.
About whitening
The active ingredient is the same family of peroxide you find in a drugstore. The difference is concentration, contact time, and trays made from a mold of your teeth so the gel sits on enamel rather than gum.
We check for decay and exposed root surfaces before whitening anything. Bleaching over an untreated cavity is how a mild sensitivity problem becomes a painful one.
How it works
- Exam and shade recordWe photograph the starting shade so the change is measurable rather than a matter of opinion.
- Custom traysImpressions go to the lab and trays come back fitted to your arch.
- At-home whiteningUsually two weeks of short daily wear. We adjust the schedule if sensitivity shows up.
- ReviewWe re-photograph, compare, and top up if the shade is not where you want it.
Recovery and aftercare
Avoid deeply pigmented food and drink for the first 48 hours after each session. Keep the trays. A single top-up night every few months holds the shade for years.
Cost and coverage
Whitening is the lowest-cost cosmetic treatment we offer and it is usually a few hundred dollars including custom trays and gel. It is almost never covered by insurance. Many patients start here before deciding whether they want anything more involved.
You may be a candidate if
- Yellowing from coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco
- General dulling that has come on with age
- A special occasion on the calendar
- Healthy teeth and gums with no untreated decay
- Natural teeth rather than crowns or veneers, which do not lighten
Teeth Whitening by town
We see patients from across New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender and Onslow counties.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Barry Frazelle
Dr. Frazelle on why the injection is nothing to dread, and a cheap whitening habit he gives patients.
Questions we get asked
Will whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Some sensitivity is common and it resolves. We can drop the concentration, shorten wear time or add a desensitizing gel if it becomes uncomfortable.
Do crowns and veneers whiten too?
No. Porcelain and composite hold their shade. If you plan to whiten and also replace old restorations, whiten first and match the new work to the lighter shade.
How long do the results last?
One to three years depending on diet and smoking. Top-ups with your existing trays are cheap and quick.
Is in-office whitening better than take-home?
In-office is faster. Custom take-home trays generally reach a comparable end result and hold it better because you keep the trays. We will recommend based on your timeline.
Can I whiten if I have fillings in my front teeth?
You can, and the fillings will stay their original shade. They often need replacing afterwards to match, which we will flag before you start.
Teeth Whitening
See the result before it is permanent.
Every cosmetic case is mocked up and worn in temporary form before anything final is made. You approve the shape and the shade.
- Cosmetic dentistry is the practice's stated specialty
- Digital design and trial smile before preparation
- Shade-matched lab work with in-person verification
- 50,000+ patients treated since 1987
Afraid of the overdone look? So are we. The brief on nearly every case here is to look like yourself, rested.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.
