Coffee, wine, and time all take a toll on enamel shade — an in-office treatment resets it in about an hour. Smile Center Dentistry checks your enamel and gums before recommending a strength.
Whitening done without a dental exam first can mask decay or worsen sensitivity — we check both before treatment. A quick pre-treatment exam takes minutes and prevents a much worse outcome later.
Sensitive teeth get a gentler protocol; we don't push maximum strength on every patient by default. Stronger isn't always better — the right concentration for your enamel matters more than speed.
We check for cavities and gum recession before whitening, since treating over untreated decay can cause real pain. This exam is included in your visit, not billed as a separate add-on.
Choose a single in-office session for fast results or custom take-home trays for a gradual approach — we explain the trade-offs. Some patients even combine both — an in-office boost followed by take-home maintenance.
Desensitizing gel and post-treatment guidance are part of every whitening visit, not an upsell. Most sensitivity fades within a day or two when managed properly.
Results and timelines vary by starting shade and enamel condition, and we're upfront about that.
One appointment, professional-grade gel, and a shade guide comparison before and after. We monitor sensitivity throughout the session rather than applying gel and walking away.
Trays molded to your exact bite let you whiten gradually at home with a lower-concentration gel. We check your progress at a follow-up to confirm even results.
We compare your current shade against a guide before treatment so you have a real baseline, not a guess. This appointment also flags any restorations that won't whiten along with natural teeth.
Desensitizing gel is applied before and after treatment for patients prone to sensitive teeth. Post-visit care instructions are given verbally and in writing.
A quick touch-up session every several months keeps results from fading back to baseline. We recommend a schedule based on your diet and habits, not a generic interval.
Deeper staining from certain medications or fluorosis responds differently than surface staining and may need a longer protocol. Realistic expectations are set at your shade consult, not after treatment disappoints you.
Call +1-866-227-2801 to schedule your shade consult and exam in Sausalito.
We check for cavities and gum health, then compare your current shade against a guide.
Sensitivity is monitored throughout, with gel timing adjusted if needed.
You'll see your new shade compared to your starting point, plus a plan to maintain it.
"They checked my teeth for cavities first, which I didn't expect but appreciated — no surprises during treatment."
"Sensitive teeth usually make whitening miserable for me, but they adjusted the gel strength and it was totally manageable."
"Shade comparison before and after was a nice touch — I could actually see the difference, not just take their word for it."
"They told me my old crown wouldn't whiten with the rest of my teeth, which saved me from an uneven result."
"Had some intrinsic staining from an old medication and they explained upfront it would take longer to lighten. Appreciated not being oversold on a quick fix."
Results vary by starting shade, but most patients see several shades of improvement after in-office treatment. We'll give you a realistic expectation at your consult based on your current shade.
Professional whitening, properly calibrated, doesn't damage healthy enamel — that's why we check your teeth first. We monitor your enamel condition throughout treatment, not just at the start.
Typically six months to two years depending on diet, smoking, and oral hygiene habits. A touch-up schedule tailored to your habits helps extend results significantly.
We flag any crowns or veneers upfront so you're not surprised by an uneven result later. Some patients choose to replace an older restoration afterward to match their new shade.
Sensitivity is common and manageable — we tailor the approach rather than skipping whitening altogether. Most sensitive patients tolerate a properly calibrated protocol well.
Both use professional-grade gel; the choice usually comes down to your timeline and sensitivity level. We'll walk through the trade-offs honestly at your shade consult.
Our whitening program serves Sausalito and the surrounding zip codes with the same enamel-safe protocol at every visit. New and existing patients throughout Sausalito are welcome to book a shade consult first.
We'll check your teeth first and recommend what actually fits your case.
Call +1-866-227-2801