Cosmetic Dentistry
Whitening & Bonding
Enamel-safe brightening, and composite shaped by hand rather than ordered from a menu.
- Duration
- 60–90 minutes
- Visits
- One or two
- Recovery
- 48 hours of cold sensitivity
What it is
Brighter, or repaired — sometimes both.
Whitening lifts staining out of the enamel with a controlled gel — no scrubbing, no enamel removed. Bonding adds tooth-coloured composite to chips, worn edges or small gaps, sculpted directly on the tooth. They're often done together: whiten first, then match the bonding to the new shade.
What to expect
One visit, worked in layers.
- 1
A shade record and photographs at the start, so the change is measurable rather than remembered.
- 2
Gums are protected, then the whitening gel is applied in cycles.
- 3
Custom trays for a fortnight of gentle top-ups at home, if that suits your enamel better.
- 4
Bonding, if you're having it, comes at least two weeks after whitening so the shade has settled.
- 5
Composite is layered, shaped and polished by hand — this is the slow, fussy part, and it's where the result comes from.
Questions
Asked about this one, most often.
Does whitening damage enamel?+
Not at the concentrations and timings we use. The temporary sensitivity is the nerve reacting, not enamel being lost.
How white is it going to go?+
Two to four shades for most people. We'll show you a realistic target before starting rather than after.
Will it whiten my crowns and fillings?+
No — ceramic and composite don't respond. If you have visible restorations, we plan the order so they get matched afterwards.
Also in Cosmetic Dentistry
Ready when you are — or happy to answer one more question first.
Appointments run 45 minutes minimum, and nothing gets booked beyond the one you're agreeing to.
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