Drugstore strips fade fast and can leave uneven results — professional Teeth Whitening is calibrated to your enamel, not a generic formula. Smile Center Dentistry checks your enamel and gums before recommending a strength.
Whitening done without a dental exam first can mask decay or worsen sensitivity — we check both before treatment. A quick pre-treatment exam takes minutes and prevents a much worse outcome later.
Sensitive teeth get a gentler protocol; we don't push maximum strength on every patient by default. Stronger isn't always better — the right concentration for your enamel matters more than speed.
A quick exam catches issues that whitening over them would only make worse. We'd rather catch a problem now than have you call back in discomfort later.
Both options use professional-grade gel, just at different concentrations and timelines. Some patients even combine both — an in-office boost followed by take-home maintenance.
Desensitizing gel and post-treatment guidance are part of every whitening visit, not an upsell. We check in after your session if sensitivity was a concern going in.
Whitening isn't one-size-fits-all — here's what we offer after checking your shade and sensitivity.
A higher-concentration gel activated in the chair delivers visible results in about an hour. We monitor sensitivity throughout the session rather than applying gel and walking away.
Trays molded to your exact bite let you whiten gradually at home with a lower-concentration gel. We check your progress at a follow-up to confirm even results.
Realistic outcome expectations are set at this visit — whitening lightens natural enamel, not crowns or veneers. This appointment also flags any restorations that won't whiten along with natural teeth.
We adjust gel exposure time for sensitive patients rather than pushing through discomfort. Post-visit care instructions are given verbally and in writing.
A quick touch-up session every several months keeps results from fading back to baseline. We recommend a schedule based on your diet and habits, not a generic interval.
Deeper staining from certain medications or fluorosis responds differently than surface staining and may need a longer protocol. Realistic expectations are set at your shade consult, not after treatment disappoints you.
We ask about sensitivity history when you book, so we're prepared for your specific case.
We check for cavities and gum health, then compare your current shade against a guide.
Sensitivity is monitored throughout, with gel timing adjusted if needed.
You'll see your new shade compared to your starting point, plus a plan to maintain it.
"Did the in-office session before my wedding. Noticeably brighter after one hour and no sensitivity afterward."
"Take-home trays fit perfectly since they were molded to my actual bite, not a generic tray."
"Shade comparison before and after was a nice touch — I could actually see the difference, not just take their word for it."
"They told me my old crown wouldn't whiten with the rest of my teeth, which saved me from an uneven result."
"Combined an in-office session with take-home trays for maintenance. Best of both approaches."
We compare your before-and-after against a shade guide so the improvement isn't just a guess. We'll give you a realistic expectation at your consult based on your current shade.
Professional whitening, properly calibrated, doesn't damage healthy enamel — that's why we check your teeth first. Supervised whitening is safer precisely because someone is watching for problems.
Coffee, wine, and tobacco fade results faster — we discuss realistic maintenance based on your habits. A touch-up schedule tailored to your habits helps extend results significantly.
We flag any crowns or veneers upfront so you're not surprised by an uneven result later. Some patients choose to replace an older restoration afterward to match their new shade.
Yes, with an adjusted gel concentration and desensitizing treatment built into your visit. We check in during treatment and adjust if sensitivity becomes uncomfortable.
In-office gives faster results in one visit; take-home is gradual and lets you control the pace — we'll recommend based on your goals. We'll walk through the trade-offs honestly at your shade consult.
Our whitening program serves San Carlos and the surrounding zip codes with the same enamel-safe protocol at every visit. New and existing patients throughout San Carlos are welcome to book a shade consult first.
We'll check your teeth first and recommend what actually fits your case.
Call +1-866-227-2801