Whitening Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — teeth whitening is safe and effective when done under a dentist’s supervision. But it’s important to understand that not everyone is a candidate for whitening right away.

Whitening should only be done on healthy teeth and gums.

If you have gum disease, cavities, or dental infections, whitening can:

- Cause severe sensitivity or pain

- Lead to poor or uneven results

- Worsen existing dental problems

Before we whiten your teeth, we always do a full exam and screening to make sure it’s safe and worth your investment.

OTC products like strips or gels can sometimes work, but results vary.

Personally, I don’t recommend them, but I always tell my patients — “You can try it and see how it goes.”

However, most patients report:

- Increased tooth sensitivity

- Minimal or short-lived results

- Uneven whitening

If you want consistent, longer-lasting whitening, professional treatments are best.

We offer three kinds of whitening, depending on your needs, budget, and tooth color:

1. Zoom Whitening – Best for Deep Whitening

- In-office, powerful results

- Lightens teeth by several shades

- Takes 2 hours

- $600

- Great for dark or stained teeth

⚠️ Not recommended for patients with gum recession due to potential sensitivity

2. SMYLE Whitening – Gentle, Fast, and Affordable

- Takes 20 minutes

- $150

- Ideal for patients with mild discoloration

- Zero sensitivity – perfect for those with recession

- Great before a special event

3. Take-Home Whitening – Ideal with Aligners

- Whitening gel applied in trays or aligners

- Easy to use at home, especially during Invisalign

- Can cause mild sensitivity

We often pair this with prescription-strength desensitizing toothpaste to minimize discomfort

Dr. Naqvi will help you decide based on:

- How dark your teeth are

- How white you want them

- Whether you have recession or sensitivity

- Whether you’ve had fillings or dental work on front teeth

If your front teeth have older fillings, you may need to update them.

But if your fillings were done at Atlantis Dental by Dr. Naqvi using her preferred material, they’ll likely match beautifully even after whitening.

These superior materials adapt to your natural tooth shade and age well over time.

It depends on your diet and habits. People who drink coffee, red wine, soda, or eat colorful foods (like turmeric or curry) may need to whiten once a year or more. Others may go longer.

A whiter smile can:

- Boost your confidence

- Look great on Zoom or in public speaking

- Help you feel more polished and professional