In-chair, take-home, or combo teeth whitening: which is right for you?

If you have been thinking about brightening your smile, you are probably wondering which whitening option makes the most sense. At Grange Road Dental, we offer three professional approaches: in-chair whitening, custom take-home trays, and a combo that combines both. They suit different people for different reasons. This article walks you through all three, helps you decide which might be right for you, and explains why a check-up and clean comes first.

Why a check-up and clean needs to come first

This is not a sales pitch. It is genuinely the clinical starting point for safe, effective whitening.

If you have not seen a dentist recently, you cannot book straight into a whitening appointment. Here is why:

• Plaque and tartar block the whitening gel. Whitening gel works on your tooth surface. If there is a layer of plaque or hardened tartar sitting on top, the gel cannot reach the enamel properly, and your results will be uneven. A professional clean removes all of that first.
• Untreated cavities or gum issues cause real pain. Whitening gel is designed to stay on your enamel. If you have a cavity, a cracked tooth, or gum recession exposing the root surface, the gel can reach areas with no protective enamel and cause significant discomfort. A check-up ensures those issues are identified and addressed before we start.
• Your result will be much better. Teeth that have just been professionally cleaned respond more evenly and effectively to whitening. It is simply a better starting point.

If you are new to our practice, our $199 New Patient Offer is the ideal place to begin. It includes a comprehensive check-up, professional clean and x-rays. Once we know your teeth and gums are in good shape, we can move straight into planning your whitening.

In-chair whitening ($399)

In-chair whitening is done entirely at our clinic in a single two-hour appointment. We use the Opalescence professional whitening system, which is only available through dental practices. You come in, we apply the gel, and you leave with a noticeably brighter smile the same day.

This option is ideal if:

• You have an event coming up, such as a wedding, reunion, graduation, or job interview, and want results quickly
• You prefer not to manage a home routine
• You want the most immediate visible change possible

A consultation with one of our dentists is required before your in-chair appointment, so we can assess your suitability and talk through what to expect.

Take-home whitening ($249)

Our take-home system starts with a short scan appointment using our Trios intra-oral scanner. The scan takes around 20 minutes and captures a precise digital model of your teeth. From that scan, we 3D-print a model of your teeth and press your custom trays over it for an exact fit. No goopy impressions, no generic one-size-fits-all mouthguard.

A couple of days after your scan, you pick up your trays along with four tubes of Opalescence whitening gel. Each tube gives you four sessions, so you have 16 sessions in total. Most patients notice a clear difference within 7 to 10 days of use. After that, you simply top up every three to six months to maintain your result, or before a special occasion.

When you need more gel, top-up packs are $60 for two tubes (another eight sessions). And if your trays are ever lost or broken within the first 12 months, we'll reprint them at no charge.

Take-home whitening is ideal if:

• You are not in a rush and are happy to build results over a week or two
• You want the flexibility to maintain your results long-term
• You prefer managing things at home on your own schedule
• You want a more affordable entry point with ongoing top-up capability

Combo whitening ($549)

Our combo option brings the in-chair and take-home treatments together in one package. You get the full in-chair whitening appointment for immediate, same-day results, then use your custom trays at home to solidify and build on that brightness straight away.

At $549, the Combo saves you $99 compared to purchasing both separately ($399 plus $249 = $648). Your custom trays are yours to keep, plus the package includes two tubes of Opalescence gel (8 sessions). Any additional gel is available from the practice for $60 for a 2-pack (8 sessions).

Combo whitening is ideal if:

• You want the most complete whitening result available
• You love the immediate brightness from the in-chair session and want to keep it looking great long-term
• You want custom trays for easy top-ups whenever you need them
• You are looking for the best value across both treatments

Which one is right for you?

Here is a simple way to think about it:

• You have an event in the next few weeks: In-chair whitening gives you same-day results without any at-home routine to manage.
• You want lasting brightness and flexibility: Take-home trays are the better long-term investment. You can top up whenever you want, and the custom fit means more even results across every tooth.
• You are budget-conscious: Take-home at $249 costs less upfront, and top-up gel is affordable when you need it.
• You want the best of both: Combo whitening gives you immediate in-chair results plus custom trays for ongoing maintenance, and saves you $99 compared to booking both separately.
• You are unsure: Come in and have a chat. We can look at your teeth, talk through what kind of result is achievable, and recommend the option that makes the most sense for your situation.

It is also worth knowing that whitening works on natural tooth enamel only. It does not change the colour of crowns, veneers, or composite fillings. If you have visible dental work on your front teeth, we can discuss what options are available to help everything blend together.

What about tooth sensitivity?

Some people experience temporary sensitivity during whitening, usually a mild zing with cold drinks or air. It nearly always settles once you finish a session or complete the treatment. If you already have sensitive teeth, let us know before you start. We can adjust the concentration of gel or the session length to keep things comfortable, and recommend a desensitising toothpaste to use alongside your whitening routine.

Ready to get started?

If you are already a patient with a recent check-up and clean, you can book a whitening consultation directly. If it has been a while since your last visit, or you have never been to us before, start with our $199 New Patient Offer and we will take it from there.

You can learn more about our teeth whitening service or view our current whitening promotion. To book or ask a question, call us on (07) 3281 6666 or get in touch online.