We have different teeth whitening options to suit your budget and your lifestyle.
There are three types of teeth whitening: over-the-counter, in-office, and at-home.
Whitening toothpastes, strips, and supermarket kits are everywhere, all promising a brighter smile. The reality is more modest. Most only lift surface staining, they don’t change the underlying colour of your teeth. Many are highly acidic, which can wear down enamel, irritate gums and damage existing fillings or crowns. And because they aren’t fitted to your mouth, the gel can leak onto soft tissue and cause sensitivity or burns, even when the active ingredient is mild.
If you’ve already tried OTC products and felt let down, you’re not alone, that’s one of the most common reasons patients come to us.
Professional take-home whitening is a safe, gradual, comfortable way to brighten your smile at home using dentist-prescribed gel and custom-made trays.
We begin with a visit to the practice so your dentist or oral hygienist can check that whitening is appropriate for you. We then take a precise digital scan of your teeth, which is used to 3D-print whitening trays that fit snugly and comfortably. Trays are typically ready within 24 hours.
Once your trays are ready, you’ll be given professional-strength whitening gel and clear instructions for use. The gel is placed in the trays and worn daily for a prescribed period, usually around 30 minutes per session. Because the trays are custom-made, the gel stays in constant contact with your teeth, maximising results and minimising sensitivity.
Most patients see visible improvement within one to two weeks, and whitening can be continued gradually until you reach the shade you’re happy with. The same trays can be used for top-ups in future, so the investment keeps paying off.
New Patient Package with WOW Whitening
R8,060 (90 min)
Take-home WOW Whitening System
R4,065
In-chair Whitening
R9,766
In-chair + Take-home Combination
R13,436
All whitening is dentist-supervised and offers safer, more predictable results than over-the-counter products. Our fees reflect high-quality materials and a high standard of clinical care focused on safety and long-term results.
Prefer to talk first? Book a free video consultation with one of our dentists.
OptiSmile’s WOW! whitening process is built around clinically proven systems, not marketing hype. For in-chair treatment, we use FLASH. For take-home whitening, we use Opalescence PF, Pola 9.5%, and a gentler Pola 7.5% option for patients who prefer a slower pace or have a history of sensitivity. The gels are named because the brands matter; they’re what make the result safe and predictable.
Whether you want a fast result in one visit or a gradual change you control at home, there’s a WOW! option that fits.
Tooth sensitivity after whitening is common. Whitening agents temporarily increase the permeability of your enamel, allowing the bleaching molecules to reach the inner layer of the tooth where the nerve endings are. Most sensitivity resolves within 24 to 48 hours after treatment.
There are several steps you can take to reduce discomfort during and after tooth whitening:
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Whitening is only done once we know your teeth and gums are healthy, so a recent exam with us is required. We check for cavities, gum issues, and any existing restorations, crowns, veneers, or bonding that won’t change colour with whitening. This is the safety check that makes everything else predictable.
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| In-Chair Teeth Whitening | At-Home Teeth Whitening | |
| Treatment location | At the OptiSmile practice | In the comfort of your home |
| Speed of results | Immediate, visible after one appointment | Gradual, noticeable improvement within 1 to 2 weeks |
| Gel concentration | Higher concentration, applied by a professional | Lower concentration, safe for self-application |
| Custom trays | Not required | Custom-fitted trays made from a digital scan of your teeth |
| Sensitivity management | Managed by a clinical team during treatment | Managed through gel concentration and wear time adjustments |
| Maintenance | In-chair teeth whitening requires top-up appointments every 6–12 months, depending on dental habits. | Monthly top-up sessions using custom trays maintain a gradual result built over 4 to 6 weeks |
| Best suited for | Patients wanting fast results for an upcoming event | Patients who prefer flexibility and control over their schedule |
What Causes Teeth Discolouration?
Stains come from two sources: outside the tooth (coffee, tea, red wine, smoking, tannin-rich foods) and inside the tooth (ageing, certain medications, trauma, or fluorosis from too much fluoride during tooth development). Surface stains often respond to a professional clean; deeper, intrinsic discolouration usually needs whitening to shift.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Properly delivered whitening shouldn’t be painful. Some patients notice mild, short-lived sensitivity, a quick zing with cold drinks or a dull ache the night of an in-chair session. Because our trays are custom-fitted and our protocols are dentist-supervised, we can adjust strength and timing to keep sensitivity to a minimum.
Do Teeth Whitening Strips and Pens Work?
They can lift surface staining a little, but they don’t change the underlying colour of your teeth, and many are acidic enough to damage enamel with prolonged use. For a real, lasting change in shade, professional whitening is a safer and more effective option.
Does OptiSmile Offer Free Whitening Consultations?
OptiSmile offers a free video consultation with the dentist first, followed by an in-person New Patient Exam with X-rays and scans (R3,995).
Does Bleaching Make Your Teeth Sensitive?
It can, temporarily. Sensitivity is almost always mild and short-lived, and we use protocols and gel strengths designed to minimise it. If you’re prone to sensitivity, we’ll start with a gentler option and adjust from there.
Does OptiSmile Offer Zoom! Teeth Whitening?
We use the FLASH in-chair system rather than Zoom!. FLASH delivers comparable results with less sensitivity than is sometimes seen with older light-activated systems. We’re happy to discuss the differences during your consultation.
Does Teeth Whitening Cause Damage?
Whitening done with professional-strength gel in custom trays, under dentist supervision, is safe and well-supported by evidence. The damage you sometimes hear about comes from off-the-shelf products that are too acidic, poorly fitted, or used for too long without supervision.
What Works Best? In-Chair Whitening or Take Home?
Both can deliver excellent results. In-chair is faster and more dramatic in a single visit. Take-home is gentler and gives you more control. For many patients, the best result comes from combining the two: an in-chair session for the initial lift, then take-home trays to fine-tune and maintain. Home bleaching typically takes 4–6 weeks for a full course, and results can be maintained with about 30 minutes of at-home top-up once a month.
What Kind of Results Can I Expect?
Results vary from person to person, but most patients can expect their teeth to lighten by several shades, with some achieving 6–8 shades brighter. A good result is one that looks like the best version of your own smile, naturally brighter rather than artificially white.
Do I Need a Teeth Cleaning to Get My Teeth Whitened?
For in-chair and combination packages, a professional clean is included, and we strongly recommend it. Whitening works best on clean teeth, and a clean often reveals that your natural shade is already brighter than you thought.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Take?
In-chair WOW! Whitening is typically completed in a single visit (two same-day sessions). Take-home whitening usually shows a visible change within 1–2 weeks and is continued until you reach your target shade, often 4–6 weeks for a full course.
Does Charcoal Work for Teeth Whitening?
Despite the marketing, clinical studies don’t show charcoal toothpastes to be more effective than regular toothpaste. The mild abrasiveness can lift some surface stains, but so can standard toothpaste without the cost or the risk of enamel wear from prolonged use.
Dr. Clifford Yudelman
Founder & Principal Dentist, OptiSmile
As a globally recognised restorative and cosmetic dentistry expert, Dr Yudelman brings over 40 years of experience across four continents. A 1983 Bachelor of Dental Science graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand, his career has spanned private practices in London, San Diego, Perth, and Cape Town. Currently the founder and principal dentist at OptiSmile, he is celebrated for transforming dental visits into positive experiences and fostering patient confidence through superior dental health, with a commitment to the latest dental technology for improved patient outcomes.
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