Professional Teeth Whitening in NW Calgary

Brighten Your Smile

Does your smile look dull or yellow despite your best brushing habits? You are not alone.

Coffee, tea, red wine, and even aging can naturally stain your enamel over time. While drugstore strips promise results, they often lead to disappointment or uneven shades. At 16th Avenue Dental, we provide professional teeth whitening solutions that are safe, effective, and supervised by Dr. My Le.

Located centrally in NW Calgary, we help patients from Mount Pleasant, Tuxedo Park, Capitol Hill, Rosedale, Crescent Heights, and surrounding communities achieve their brightest smiles without compromising their oral health.

Before and after effect of teeth whitening procedure

Why Choose Professional Whitening Over Drugstore Kits?

While store-bought strips are cheaper upfront, they lack the power and safety of a clinical treatment provided by a dentist.

Stronger Results: Professional-strength whitening gel contains a higher concentration of active ingredients than legally allowed in OTC kits. This breaks down deep stains that strips cannot touch.
Better Fit, Less Pain: Drugstore strips are “one-size-fits-all,” often slipping and leaking gel onto gums. Custom-fitted trays create a perfect seal, keeping the gel on the enamel and away from sensitive tissue.
Even Whitening: Strips often miss the curves between teeth. Custom trays ensure every surface of the tooth is evenly brightened for a seamless smile.

Whitening Options at 16th Avenue Dental

1. In-Office Whitening for Immediate Results

This is ideal if you have an upcoming wedding, graduation, or special event.

How it Works: We protect your gums with a special barrier before applying a high-concentration professional whitening gel to your teeth.
The Result: We can achieve a significantly brighter smile in just one appointment (typically 60–90 minutes). It is the fastest way to lift deep stains without the hassle of daily trays.

2. Custom Take-Home Kits (Polanight System)

We recommend this for patients who prefer to whiten at their own pace or have a history of sensitivity. We utilize the Polanight whitening system, a safe and effective formulation designed to protect your oral health while brightening your smile.

The Process: We take impressions of your mouth to fabricate custom-fitted trays that snap perfectly over your teeth.
The Routine: You have the flexibility to achieve your desired effect in as little as 15 minutes a day or by wearing the trays overnight while you sleep.
Why It’s Different: The Polanight gel features a unique, high water content formulation with a neutral pH and high viscosity. This protects your gums during treatment and ensures the gel stays in place. It also contains fluoride, which remineralizes the tooth surface to significantly reduce sensitivity.

Please contact our office to find out if you’re a candidate for professional teeth whitening in NW Calgary.

Why Choose Professional Whitening at 16th Avenue Dental?

Safety First: Unlike mall kiosks or online kits, our treatments are monitored by a dental professional to protect your gums and enamel.
Sensitivity Management: We specialize in gentle dentistry. If you have sensitive teeth, we customize the treatment to ensure a comfortable experience.
Real Results: We don’t just “scrub” stains; we chemically break them down for a noticeably whiter smile that lasts.

The Teeth Whitening Process: What to Expect

1. The Safety Exam

Before we apply any whitening agents, we must ensure your mouth is healthy. We check for cavities, exposed roots, or gum disease. Applying professional-strength bleach to a tooth with an open cavity can cause severe pain. We solve these health issues first to ensure your whitening experience is comfortable.

2. The Essential Cleaning

You cannot whiten tartar (calculus). If your teeth have plaque buildup, the whitening gel cannot reach the enamel underneath, leading to spotty or uneven results. We perform a thorough hygiene cleaning to remove surface stains and debris, ensuring the whitening agent contacts 100% of your tooth surface.

3. Assessment of Existing Work

It is important to know that dental restorations do not whiten. If you have tooth-colored fillings, crowns, or veneers on your front teeth, they will remain the same shade while your natural teeth get brighter. We will discuss this during your consultation and create a plan, such as replacing old fillings, to ensure your new smile matches perfectly.

Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening

We believe in complete transparency regarding our fees. At 16th Avenue Dental, our professional whitening treatments start from $399 but if done within 2 weeks after a cleaning appointment it is $299. While this is a higher upfront investment than drugstore strips, the value lies in the safety and longevity of your results.

Comparing Cost vs. Value

The Drugstore Cycle: Store-bought kits often require continuous repurchasing to maintain even a minor difference, making them more expensive over time.
The Professional Difference: Our treatments yield dramatic results that can last for years with simple maintenance. When calculated over the lifespan of your smile, professional whitening is often the most cost-effective choice.

Transparency & Insurance

Because whitening is a cosmetic procedure, it is typically not covered by dental insurance.

No Hidden Fees: The price we quote covers your custom trays, the professional gel, and your follow-up instructions.
Payment Options: We can discuss flexible payment arrangements for your treatment, while direct billing remains available for any associated exams or cleanings.

FAQs About Teeth Whitening

How long does professional teeth whitening last?

With proper care, your results can last anywhere from 1 to 3 years. The longevity depends largely on your diet and lifestyle. Habits like smoking or frequent consumption of coffee, tea, and red wine will cause stains to return faster. We recommend using a straw for dark beverages and scheduling touch-up treatments as needed.

Will whitening damage my enamel?

No. When performed under the supervision of a dentist, teeth whitening is extremely safe. The professional-grade gel we use is formulated to lift stains without eroding your enamel or weakening the tooth structure. Unlike abrasive charcoal toothpastes that scratch the surface, our chemical process is non-invasive.

Can I drink coffee after my whitening appointment?

We recommend avoiding dark-colored foods and drinks for at least 48 hours after your treatment. Your enamel pores are slightly open during this time, making them more susceptible to staining. If you must have coffee, we suggest drinking it lukewarm through a straw to minimize contact with your front teeth.

Will whitening work on my crowns or veneers?

No, whitening gel only affects natural tooth enamel. It will not change the color of porcelain crowns, veneers, or composite fillings. If you have visible restorations on your front teeth, we may need to replace them after your whitening treatment to ensure they match your brighter new shade.

Does teeth whitening hurt?

Sensitivity is the most common side effect, but it is typically mild and temporary. Some patients describe “zings” or short flashes of sensitivity during or immediately after the treatment. At 16th Avenue Dental, we use desensitizing agents to minimize this discomfort. If you have naturally sensitive teeth, please let us know beforehand so we can adjust the concentration of the gel or prescribe a desensitizing toothpaste.

Is teeth whitening safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

Because teeth whitening is an elective cosmetic procedure, we recommend waiting until after you have finished breastfeeding. While there is no evidence that it is harmful, clinical studies have not been performed on expectant mothers, so we take a conservative approach to ensure the absolute safety of both mom and baby.

Is there an age limit for whitening?

We generally recommend whitening for patients 16 years and older. In younger teenagers, the nerve (pulp) of the tooth is larger and closer to the surface, which can lead to intense sensitivity or irritation. We can assess a younger patient’s dental maturity during a consultation to see if they are a candidate.

How often can I whiten my teeth?

For In-Office treatments, we recommend waiting at least one year between full sessions to protect your enamel. If you are using our Custom Take-Home Trays, you can perform “touch-up” treatments (wearing the trays for 1-2 days) every 4 to 6 months to maintain your brightness without over-processing your teeth.