Teeth Whitening

Professional teeth whitening in London lightens the natural shade of your teeth using a dentist-prescribed gel worn in custom-made trays at home. Because the trays are made from precise digital impressions of your own teeth, the gel stays exactly where it should — evenly across the tooth surfaces and away from your gums. At our Wimpole Street practice, every whitening course begins with a full examination by a GDC-registered dentist, so we can confirm the treatment is suitable for you before anything is prescribed.

Whitening can help patients whose teeth have darkened gradually with age, or become stained by tea, coffee, red wine, curry or smoking. It is designed for healthy adult teeth: in the UK, tooth whitening is legally restricted to prescription by a dentist and to patients aged 18 and over. It is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and untreated decay or gum disease must be resolved first. Your consultation in Marylebone establishes all of this before you commit to anything.

The process at our central London practice is straightforward. At your first visit we examine your teeth and gums, record your starting shade and take digital scans. Your custom trays are then made to fit your teeth precisely. At the fitting appointment we show you exactly how much gel to use, how to seat the trays and how to care for them. You then whiten at home, typically wearing the trays overnight or for a few hours each day as prescribed.

Most patients see a noticeable improvement typically over 2–3 weeks of regular wear; individual results vary. The degree of change depends on your starting shade and the cause of any discolouration — yellowish staining generally responds better than greyish tones, and tetracycline-related discolouration can be more resistant. Your dentist will give you an honest, realistic expectation at your assessment rather than promising a specific number of shades.

We prescribe only UK-legal gel strengths — hydrogen peroxide up to 6%, or the equivalent carbamide peroxide concentration — supplied under a dentist's prescription as the law requires. Products offered by beauty salons, online sellers or non-dental providers are unregulated and can damage enamel and burn gums. Providing tooth whitening without being a registered dental professional is illegal in the UK, and choosing a GDC-registered dentist is the single most important safety decision you can make.

Whitening at our Wimpole Street practice is £399, currently available at a special offer price of £199, covering your assessment, custom trays and prescribed gel. You receive a written, itemised quote before treatment begins, so there are no surprises. Factors that can affect the overall cost of a wider smile plan include whether existing fillings or crowns need updating afterwards to match your new shade — something we always flag in advance.

How does whitening compare with the alternatives? For discolouration alone, whitening is usually the most conservative first step, because nothing is added to or removed from the tooth. Composite bonding or veneers can mask deeper, more stubborn staining, but they involve adding material — and veneers involve irreversible enamel removal — so many patients find it sensible to try whitening first and reassess. Whitening toothpastes remove surface stains only and cannot change the underlying tooth shade.

Like any treatment, whitening has limitations. Temporary sensitivity is the most common side effect and typically settles after the course finishes; gum irritation can occur if trays are overfilled. Whitening does not lighten crowns, veneers or fillings, and results are not permanent — the shade gradually relapses over months to years depending on diet and habits. Because you keep your custom trays, occasional top-up gel from your dentist can help maintain the result.

Aftercare is simple: brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, keep strongly coloured food and drink moderate for the first 48 hours, and attend regular hygiene visits to remove surface staining as it builds. Many patients find an annual short top-up course keeps their smile at a shade they are happy with, though this varies between individuals.

Choosing teeth whitening near Harley Street means treatment planned and supervised by experienced clinicians in one of London's best-known medical districts. Our Wimpole Street practice combines careful assessment, legally compliant materials and honest advice — and if whitening alone will not achieve what you are hoping for, we will tell you plainly and explain the alternatives, with written prices for every option.

The consultation deserves a closer look, because it is where safe whitening begins. Your dentist examines your teeth and gums for decay, cracked teeth, exposed root surfaces and gum inflammation — all of which can make whitening uncomfortable or unsuitable until addressed. We also note any crowns, veneers or visible fillings, because these will not lighten and may need updating afterwards to match; flagging this before you start avoids disappointment later. Only once you are confirmed suitable is the gel prescribed, and everything is set out in a written, itemised quote before you commit.

Nervous or sensitive patients often ask how whitening can be made more comfortable. There is plenty of flexibility: gel strength can be adjusted within UK-legal limits, wear time can be shortened, rest days can be built into the course, and a desensitising toothpaste used alongside treatment helps many patients. Because home whitening progresses gradually under your control, you can pause at any point and pick up again once any sensitivity settles — your dentist at our Wimpole Street practice remains available for advice throughout the course.

Getting to us is simple from across London: we are a short walk from Bond Street and Oxford Circus stations, with Regent's Park also close by, so the two visits involved — the scan appointment and the tray fitting — slot easily around a working day in the West End. Many patients time their whitening course ahead of a wedding, graduation or other occasion; if you have a date in mind, mention it at your consultation so the course can be planned with sensible time to spare, though results and timescales vary between individuals.