For anyone self-conscious about stained or yellowing teeth, or nervous about the dentist. Teeth whitening lifts stains and lightens the shade of your natural teeth, done comfortably at Dentique Dental Care, with honest advice and your price confirmed in writing.
Downers Grove (630) 454-9299
Lemont (630) 685-0017
Teeth whitening is a treatment that uses a peroxide gel to break down stains inside your tooth enamel, which lightens the natural shade of your teeth. It lightens natural teeth only, and does not change the colour of crowns, veneers, or fillings. The American Dental Association recognises peroxide-based whitening as a common way to lighten natural teeth.
In plain terms, in-office whitening is the strongest and fastest, custom trays give strong results more gradually, and drugstore strips are the cheapest but the weakest. The gel a dentist uses is stronger than anything you can buy over the counter.
| Option | Applied by | Strength | Typical timeline | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-office whitening | The dentist, in about an hour | Strongest | Same visit | Higher |
| Custom take-home trays | You, at home in fitted trays | Professional-strength | Days to weeks | Middle |
| Drugstore strips and kits | You, one-size product | Weakest, mild peroxide | Slowest | Lower |
For anything you use at home without a dentist, look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance, and keep unsupervised hydrogen peroxide at or below 3 percent. Relative cost is shown in plain words, not a Dentique quote.
Teeth whitening works best on healthy teeth with everyday staining from food, drink, tobacco, or age, which makes it a good fit for most adults. Some people, though, are better off waiting or choosing something else.
At your consult we tell you honestly whether whitening will get you the result you want, or whether something else fits better. No pressure. Deeper grey stains, or stains from certain medications, respond less, and there veneers or bonding may suit better.
An in-office whitening visit usually takes about an hour, during which the dentist checks your teeth, protects your gums, applies the whitening gel, and reviews aftercare.
1
Check your teeth and gums and confirm whitening suits you.
Protect your gums and lips with a barrier, then apply the whitening gel; a light may be used.
Rinse, check the new shade together, and review simple aftercare.
If you choose custom take-home trays instead, the dentist takes impressions, has your trays made to fit, and gives you the gel and instructions to whiten at home.
Teeth whitening is comfortable and does not need numbing, and the most common side effect is temporary sensitivity, which usually settles within a few days and can be managed. Most people feel no pain during the treatment itself.
Most people feel no pain during whitening.
It usually settles within a few days. We can lower the strength or use a desensitising gel.
Judgment-free care, with sedation options, nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation, available for dental treatment if you need them.
If you have been away from the dentist for a while, that is okay here. Whitening itself is gentle and does not require sedation; sedation is simply an option if you want to feel more relaxed for other care.
Teeth whitening is priced by method, from drugstore kits at the low end up to in-office treatment at the top. Your exact price at Dentique is confirmed in writing at your consultation, so you know the number before you decide anything.
In-office session
Typical national cost, not a Dentique quote.
Custom take-home trays
Typical national cost, not a Dentique quote.
Drugstore strips and kits
Typical national cost, not a Dentique quote.
Teeth whitening is cosmetic, so it is usually not covered by dental insurance. If whitening is combined with other treatment, financing through CareCredit, Cherry, or Sunbit is available with a written estimate.
Whitening results last many months to a few years, and how long they last depends on the foods and drinks that stain and on how you care for your teeth at home. Whitening is not permanent, and that is normal; the colour fades slowly and can be topped up.
Coffee, tea, and red wine all shorten how long results last.
Good daily care holds surface stains at bay between touch-ups.
Use your custom trays now and then to keep results going.
Dr. Xhelo Shuaipaj DDS FDOCS FICOI is a dentist with more than 30 years of experience who leads every visit personally, so your whitening is planned and done by one consistent, experienced clinician who tells you honestly what will get results. You see the same dentist across the Downers Grove and Lemont offices, not a rotating team.
Planned and done by one consistent, experienced clinician.
Rated 4.9 across both offices.
Honest advice on what will actually work.
Confirmed before you commit to anything.
Your whitening options come down to a few common questions people compare, so pick the one that matches what you want to know.
How the dentist’s chair-side treatment compares with whitening in custom trays at home.
Read the guide
A plain look at what each whitening method typically costs, and what changes the price.
Read the guide
How to whiten comfortably when your teeth are already sensitive.
Read the guide
The wider range of cosmetic options if whitening alone is not quite enough.
Read the guide
It depends on the method. As a national guide, in-office whitening is about $400 to $800, custom trays about $150 to $600, and drugstore strips and kits about $20 to $150. Your local price at Dentique is confirmed in writing at your consultation.
Yes, most everyday yellowing from food, drink, or age lightens well with whitening. Deeper grey stains or stains from certain medications respond less, and those may need veneers instead.
Whitening lasts many months to a few years, depending on your staining habits and touch-ups. Cutting back on coffee, tea, and red wine and using occasional tray touch-ups keeps results going longer.
Professional whitening is stronger, faster, and better supervised than drugstore kits, which is why many people find it worth it. At your consultation we say honestly whether it will get you the result you want.
Dentist-supervised whitening does not damage tooth enamel. Temporary sensitivity is the main side effect, and it usually settles within a few days.
More than 30 years of experience, one dentist across both offices. FDOCS is a fellowship in sedation from DOCS Education, and FICOI is a fellowship with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. This page was reviewed by Dr. Xhelo Shuaipaj.
Book a no-pressure whitening consult, a friendly first conversation with honest advice on what will actually work for your teeth, and we will plan your whitening and confirm your price in writing. There is one clear next step, and no pressure to go further than you want.
Downers Grove (630) 454-9299
Lemont (630) 685-0017
Judgment-free, honest advice on what will work, your price confirmed in writing.
Get the smile you deserve today!