A professional teeth whitening treatment using a peroxide-based gel, with protection for the gums and soft tissues and a light-activated whitening stage.
Whitening does not produce one identical shade for everyone. Starting colour, the cause of staining and natural tooth structure all matter. The goal is a brighter result within what your own teeth can realistically achieve.
Teeth whitening is intended to lighten natural tooth colour and reduce the appearance of staining. The response varies according to the teeth and the cause of discolouration. Staining that sits on the outer surface of the tooth, picked up from food, drink and tobacco, usually responds well. Discolouration that comes from the tooth structure itself changes less predictably, which is why the same treatment gives different results on different people.
Coffee, tea, red wine and dark-coloured foods can contribute to external staining. Pigments from what you eat and drink settle on the outer surface of the enamel and build up gradually. This is the type of staining teeth whitening acts on most directly.
Tobacco use can contribute to visible tooth discolouration. Tar and nicotine leave a surface stain that tends to be heavier and more persistent than staining from food and drink. Continuing to smoke after treatment also shortens how long the result holds.
Teeth can appear darker over time as enamel and underlying tooth colour change. Enamel thins with age, and the naturally darker dentine beneath it shows through more. Because this is a change in the tooth itself rather than a surface stain, it responds differently to whitening.
Whitening acts on natural tooth structure. Existing dental work does not respond in the same way, which is worth knowing before your appointment.
Professional teeth whitening acts on natural teeth and may improve many forms of staining and discolouration.
Crowns and veneers do not whiten like natural enamel, so existing dental work may affect the final colour match. Porcelain and composite do not respond to the whitening gel at all, so they keep the shade they were made in. If the natural teeth around them lighten, existing work can end up looking darker by comparison.
The whitening appointment is structured to protect the surrounding tissues before the whitening agent is activated.
A barrier is placed over the gums and soft tissues, and eye protection is provided. The whitening gel is intended to act on the teeth only, so the surrounding tissues are covered before it is applied.
Professional-strength hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide gel is applied to the teeth. The gel works by breaking down the coloured compounds held within the tooth surface, which is what lightens the shade.
A light is used to activate the whitening gel once it has been applied.
The teeth and soft tissues are reviewed and aftercare is explained before you leave.
Two options, depending on whether you want a single session or a course of three.
One professional teeth whitening appointment.
Three whitening sessions, booked as one package.
Professional teeth whitening at Redefine is performed by Dr Maryam Farshian and Mrs Shona Deguara.
Dr Maryam also performs professional teeth whitening treatments at Redefine.
With over 16 years of experience in the beauty sector and 12 years with the team, Shona also performs professional teeth whitening.
No. Existing restorations do not whiten in the same way as natural teeth, so colour matching should be considered before treatment. Where new dental work is planned, colour matching is generally done after whitening rather than before, so the new work matches the lightened shade.
Temporary tooth sensitivity or gum irritation can occur after teeth whitening. The gel passes through the enamel to reach the staining, and that can leave the tooth briefly more reactive to cold. It is a short-term effect rather than damage to the tooth, and it settles on its own. Tell your practitioner if your teeth are already sensitive before treatment.
Longevity varies with diet, smoking, oral hygiene and the starting tooth colour. A fixed duration cannot be guaranteed.
The amount of lightening varies. It is more appropriate to discuss a realistic range after assessing your starting shade than to promise a set number of shades.
We advise against teeth whitening during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and active gum disease should be treated first.
Your practitioner may advise temporarily limiting strongly coloured foods, drinks and smoking while the teeth settle after treatment. Teeth pick up colour more readily in the period straight after whitening, so what you eat and drink in those first days has more effect than usual. Normal brushing and routine dental care continue as before.
A single teeth whitening session at Redefine by St Mary's Clinic is €150, and a course of three sessions is €350. Both prices are published on this page. Which option suits you is discussed after assessing your starting shade, rather than decided in advance.
It depends on what is causing the yellow. Staining that sits on the outer surface of the enamel, picked up from food, drink and tobacco, usually responds well. Yellowing that comes from the tooth structure itself changes less predictably, and as enamel thins with age the naturally darker dentine beneath shows through more, which is a change in the tooth rather than a surface stain. Crowns, veneers and other existing dental work do not lighten at all.
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