Teeth Whitening Lockleys | Lockleys Dental Clinic

A brighter smile, done safely

Teeth naturally darken over time — from ageing, and from food and drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine. Professional whitening is one of the most straightforward and effective ways to refresh your smile, and it's significantly more reliable than over-the-counter alternatives.

At Lockleys Dental Clinic, we offer professional whitening solutions supervised by our dental team. This means the treatment is assessed for suitability before it begins, reducing the risk of sensitivity and ensuring the gel concentration is appropriate for your teeth and gums.

Your whitening options

In-chair whitening

Our in-chair whitening treatment is completed in a single appointment. A professional-strength whitening gel is applied to your teeth and activated, significantly lightening the shade of your teeth in around an hour. This is ideal if you want noticeable results quickly — for a special occasion or because you simply prefer not to wait.

Take-home whitening kits

We take digital or physical impressions of your teeth and create a set of custom-fitted whitening trays. You'll receive a professional-strength whitening gel to use at home, typically for 30–60 minutes each day over one to two weeks. Take-home kits let you whiten at your own pace, and the custom trays make top-up whitening straightforward in the future.

Is whitening right for you?

Whitening works on natural tooth enamel. It won't change the colour of existing crowns, veneers, or composite resin fillings. If you have these restorations on visible teeth, we'll discuss your options during the consultation so you can make an informed decision.

Some people experience increased sensitivity during or after whitening — this is usually temporary. We'll assess your suitability and advise on how to minimise any discomfort. For the best outcome, we recommend completing a check-up and clean beforehand. Individual results vary depending on the original shade of your teeth and the type of staining present.

Aftercare tips

Avoid deeply coloured foods and drinks — coffee, tea, red wine, berries — for 48 hours after treatment
If you experience sensitivity, use a desensitising toothpaste and avoid very hot or cold drinks for a few days
Maintain good brushing and flossing habits to help your results last longer
Top-up whitening may be needed periodically — your custom trays make this easy and cost-effective

Frequently asked questions

Results vary from person to person and depend on your diet, oral hygiene habits, and whether you smoke. Many patients find their results last one to three years before a top-up is needed. Using your custom trays for periodic maintenance can extend the time between full treatments.

When used as directed and supervised by a dentist, professional whitening gels are considered safe for enamel. The key difference between professional and over-the-counter products is the gel concentration and the suitability assessment beforehand. We only recommend whitening where we believe it is appropriate for your teeth and gums.

Sensitivity is the most common side effect of whitening. If you already have sensitive teeth, we'll discuss this at your consultation and may recommend starting with a lower-concentration gel, shorter application times, or a desensitising protocol before treatment. We won't proceed with whitening if we believe the risk of significant sensitivity is too high for your particular situation.

Neither is universally superior — the right choice depends on your goals, timeline, and teeth. In-chair whitening gives faster visible results in a single visit. Take-home kits are more gradual, often cause less sensitivity, and give you the trays for future maintenance. Many patients do one in-chair session and then maintain with a take-home kit. We'll advise which approach suits you best.

Whitening gel only affects natural tooth enamel — it has no effect on porcelain, ceramic, or composite resin restorations. If you have visible crowns, veneers, or fillings, whitening the surrounding teeth may create a colour mismatch. We'll identify any restorations during your consultation and discuss what this means for your treatment options.

Professional Teeth Whitening