Teeth Whitening: In-Chair, Take-Home, or Combo

Three Ways to a Brighter Smile

We offer three professional teeth whitening options, all using the Opalescence professional whitening system. Whether you want results this week, prefer to whiten gradually in your own time, or want the best of both worlds, there is an option that fits. The right choice comes down to your lifestyle, your timeline and what kind of result you are after.

In-Chair Whitening: $399

In-chair whitening is a single two-hour appointment at our Ipswich clinic. We apply professional-strength Opalescence gel directly to your teeth and the whitening process works during your appointment. You leave the same day with visibly brighter teeth. No waiting, no home routine required.

This option is popular with patients who have an upcoming event like a wedding, a reunion or a milestone birthday, or who simply prefer to get it done in one go. Because everything happens in the chair under our supervision, it is also a good option if you have concerns about sensitivity or are unsure how your teeth will respond to whitening.

Combo Whitening: $549

The Combo package combines in-chair whitening with a custom take-home kit. You get the two-hour in-chair appointment for immediate, same-day results, then use your custom-fitted trays at home to solidify and build on those results straight away.

This is our most popular option for patients who want the best of both worlds. You leave your in-chair appointment with noticeably brighter teeth, and then you have everything you need at home to lock in that brightness and maintain it long-term.

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

Take-Home Whitening: $249

Our take-home whitening uses custom-fitted trays made precisely to the shape of your teeth. This starts with a short (~20 minute) intra-oral scan using our Trios digital scanner. No goopy impressions, no discomfort. From your scan we 3D-print a model of your teeth, then press your custom trays over that model for an exact fit. A couple of days later your trays are ready to pick up, along with four tubes of Opalescence gel. That is 16 whitening sessions worth of gel to get you started.

Most patients notice their smile brightening over 7 to 10 days of use. Because the trays are yours to keep, you can top up every three to six months to maintain your result, or before a special occasion. Top-up gel is available from the practice for $60 for a 2-pack (8 sessions).

If your trays are ever lost or broken within the first 12 months, we'll reprint them at no charge. That is the advantage of having the digital scan on file.

For a deeper look at how the options compare, our blog has a guide on in-chair vs take-home teeth whitening.

A Check-Up Comes First

Before whitening, we need to make sure your teeth and gums are ready. This is not a formality. It is genuinely important for your comfort and the outcome of treatment.

There are two main reasons. First, plaque and tartar on your teeth will block the whitening gel from reaching the enamel evenly. A professional clean beforehand ensures the gel can do its job properly. Second, if there are any untreated issues like a cavity, gum inflammation or a cracked tooth, whitening gel can reach areas it should not and cause real discomfort. Addressing those things first means your whitening experience is comfortable and your results are consistent.

If you have not had a check-up and clean recently, the best starting point is our $199 New Patient Offer, which includes a comprehensive examination, professional clean using EMS Airflow technology, and any x-rays needed. Once we have confirmed your teeth and gums are in good shape, we can proceed with whitening, sometimes at the same visit depending on what we find.

If you are already a regular patient at Grange Road Dental and you are up to date with your check-ups, you can book your whitening consultation directly. We will confirm your suitability at that appointment and discuss which option suits you best.

Professional Whitening vs Over-the-Counter Products

Supermarket whitening strips and generic kits are widely available, but the results are limited. The whitening agents permitted in non-prescription products are at much lower concentrations, and the trays are not shaped to your mouth. The gel does not sit evenly against your teeth and can easily contact your gums.

The Opalescence gel we use is only available through a dental practice. It is formulated at a professional strength, and because we assess your teeth first and supervise the process, most patients notice a significantly more consistent result than anything they have achieved with over-the-counter products. The custom trays in our take-home kit also make a genuine difference. The precise fit means every part of every tooth is covered evenly, and saliva is prevented from washing the whitening gel away from each tooth.

What Whitening Can and Cannot Do

Professional whitening works best on natural teeth that have become stained or discoloured over time from coffee, tea, red wine, or simply with age. Most patients notice a meaningful improvement in brightness. Results do vary depending on the type of staining and the natural colour of your teeth, and we will give you an honest assessment of what to expect during your consultation.

Whitening does not change the colour of existing dental work such as fillings, crowns, veneers or bridges. If you have restorations on visible teeth, we will discuss how this might affect your overall result so there are no surprises. In some cases, patients choose to update older restorations after whitening to achieve a more uniform appearance, but that is entirely your call and something we will talk through with you if relevant.