Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a simple, non-invasive way to brighten your smile — one of the fastest ways to see a dramatic improvement in your appearance.

How it works

We use the Zoom take-home whitening system — the take-home version of one of the most trusted names in professional whitening. First, we take an impression to create custom-fitted clear trays. At your next visit, we fine-tune the fit and send you home with professional-strength Zoom whitening gel — worn either thirty minutes twice a day or overnight, depending on your goals and the severity of staining.

Because whitening only affects natural enamel, we'll check whether any existing fillings or crowns need to be replaced afterward so everything matches.

What to expect

Some temporary tooth sensitivity is common during treatment and typically fades shortly after you finish. Results aren't permanent — plan on a touch-up every few years, sooner if you smoke or drink a lot of coffee, tea, or red wine.

Curious how whitening fits into a bigger smile plan? In Case 2 of our Smile Gallery, take-home whitening brightened the lower teeth while 10 porcelain veneers transformed the upper arch — so the finished smile reads as one shade.

Content reviewed by Jamisen Kohlman, DMD — KoLa Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, Austin, TX.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Most patients see a noticeably brighter smile within one to two weeks of consistent wear — thirty minutes twice a day or overnight, depending on the plan we set for you. Deeper staining can take a little longer, and we check your progress along the way.
Results vary by patient and habits like coffee, wine, or tobacco use, but many patients enjoy results for a year or more with good care.
Yes — professional whitening under a dentist’s supervision is safe for your enamel. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity during treatment, which typically fades shortly after finishing.
No — whitening only lightens natural enamel. Existing crowns, veneers, and fillings keep their color, so we plan your whitening first and can then match or replace restorations so everything blends.
Custom-fitted trays keep professional-strength gel evenly on your teeth and off your gums, delivering more reliable, more even results in less time than one-size-fits-all strips or trays.
Zoom take-home whitening at KoLa Dentistry typically runs $200–$400* depending on whether you whiten one or both arches — including custom-fitted trays made from impressions of your teeth plus professional-strength Zoom gel. You keep the trays, so future touch-ups only cost refill gel. That’s typically several hundred dollars less than an in-office light session, and at the low end of typical Austin pricing for professional whitening. Whitening is a cosmetic treatment, so dental insurance typically doesn’t cover it — the price you see is the price you pay.
Yes — we offer the Zoom take-home whitening system: custom-fitted trays with professional-strength Zoom gel. Over one to two weeks it typically reaches the same final shade as an in-office light session, usually with less sensitivity and at a lower cost — and you keep the trays for easy touch-ups whenever your smile needs a refresh. If you have a deadline like a wedding or photos, tell us and we’ll build a wear schedule to get you there.
Temporary sensitivity to cold is the most common side effect and usually fades within a few days of finishing. Because our system is custom-fitted, the gel stays on your teeth and off your gums, which helps. Tell us if you already have sensitive teeth and we can adjust the wear schedule.

Explore More

Related services

Porcelain Veneers

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Dental Bonding

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Invisalign®

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“As a new patient at KoLa Family Dentistry, I have been impressed by the authentic friendliness of its staff and efforts to welcome me into its practice.”
— Len W, Google review

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