Coffee, wine, and time all take a toll on enamel shade — an in-office treatment resets it in about an hour. Smile Center Dentistry checks your enamel and gums before recommending a strength.
Whitening done without a dental exam first can mask decay or worsen sensitivity — we check both before treatment. A quick pre-treatment exam takes minutes and prevents a much worse outcome later.
We calibrate gel concentration to your enamel condition, not a one-strength-fits-all approach. We adjust based on what your specific exam shows, not a default setting.
A quick exam catches issues that whitening over them would only make worse. We'd rather catch a problem now than have you call back in discomfort later.
Both options use professional-grade gel, just at different concentrations and timelines. We help you decide based on your timeline and sensitivity, not just what's more profitable for us.
We proactively manage sensitivity instead of waiting for you to call back in pain. Most sensitivity fades within a day or two when managed properly.
Results and timelines vary by starting shade and enamel condition, and we're upfront about that.
One appointment, professional-grade gel, and a shade guide comparison before and after. We monitor sensitivity throughout the session rather than applying gel and walking away.
A slower approach for patients who prefer control over the pace and prefer less chair time. We check your progress at a follow-up to confirm even results.
We compare your current shade against a guide before treatment so you have a real baseline, not a guess. This appointment also flags any restorations that won't whiten along with natural teeth.
Desensitizing gel is applied before and after treatment for patients prone to sensitive teeth. Post-visit care instructions are given verbally and in writing.
Take-home touch-up trays let you maintain your shade without a full in-office visit each time. We recommend a schedule based on your diet and habits, not a generic interval.
Deeper staining from certain medications or fluorosis responds differently than surface staining and may need a longer protocol. Realistic expectations are set at your shade consult, not after treatment disappoints you.
We ask about sensitivity history when you book, so we're prepared for your specific case.
We check for cavities and gum health, then compare your current shade against a guide.
Sensitivity is monitored throughout, with gel timing adjusted if needed.
We schedule touch-ups based on your habits, not a generic calendar reminder.
"Did the in-office session before my wedding. Noticeably brighter after one hour and no sensitivity afterward."
"Take-home trays fit perfectly since they were molded to my actual bite, not a generic tray."
"Six months later, a quick touch-up tray kept my results from fading. Way cheaper than starting over."
"They told me my old crown wouldn't whiten with the rest of my teeth, which saved me from an uneven result."
"Combined an in-office session with take-home trays for maintenance. Best of both approaches."
Results vary by starting shade, but most patients see several shades of improvement after in-office treatment. We'll give you a realistic expectation at your consult based on your current shade.
Professional whitening, properly calibrated, doesn't damage healthy enamel — that's why we check your teeth first. Supervised whitening is safer precisely because someone is watching for problems.
Typically six months to two years depending on diet, smoking, and oral hygiene habits. A touch-up schedule tailored to your habits helps extend results significantly.
We flag any crowns or veneers upfront so you're not surprised by an uneven result later. If a mismatch would result, we discuss options honestly before you commit to treatment.
Yes, with an adjusted gel concentration and desensitizing treatment built into your visit. Most sensitive patients tolerate a properly calibrated protocol well.
Both use professional-grade gel; the choice usually comes down to your timeline and sensitivity level. We'll walk through the trade-offs honestly at your shade consult.
Our whitening program serves Malibu and the surrounding zip codes with the same enamel-safe protocol at every visit. New and existing patients throughout Malibu are welcome to book a shade consult first.
We'll check your teeth first and recommend what actually fits your case.
Call +1-866-227-2801