Teeth darken in two ways. Surface staining builds up from coffee, tea, red wine and smoking — this comes off with a professional cleaning. Deeper yellowing comes from the dentine beneath the enamel, which darkens and thickens with age. Only whitening affects that.
Prices in Tallinn
- Whitening with a ZOOM lamp, 2 dental arches — €340
- Whitening a single tooth — €30
- Home whitening tray, 1 pc — €85 (impressions charged separately)
- Scale and stain removal by a hygienist — €100
A professional cleaning before whitening is mandatory. On plaque and calculus the gel does not act evenly and the result comes out patchy.
In the chair or at home
- In the chair (ZOOM). One visit, about an hour. The gel is activated with a lamp and the result is visible immediately. Suits you if the result is needed quickly.
- Home tray. An individual tray is made from impressions and you apply the gel yourself for 1–2 weeks. Slower, but gentler and cheaper. The tray can be reused later to top up the result.
Often the best approach is a combination: the main result in the chair, the home tray for maintenance.
How long the result lasts
On average 1–3 years. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking have the greatest effect. For the first 48 hours after whitening the teeth are especially receptive — it is worth avoiding staining foods and drinks then, including coffee, berries, sauces and red wine.
Does whitening damage teeth?
Professionally performed whitening does not damage enamel. The active agent — hydrogen or carbamide peroxide — breaks down pigment molecules inside the enamel without thinning the layer. A common side effect is temporary sensitivity to cold, which passes within a few days.
What is genuinely harmful are uncontrolled home methods: baking soda, activated charcoal and lemon juice wear enamel away mechanically or with acid, and that damage is irreversible.
When whitening is not possible
- Untreated decay or a leaking filling — the gel reaches the inside of the tooth and causes severe pain.
- Gum inflammation or periodontitis.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Under 18 years of age.
- Heavily worn enamel and exposed tooth necks.
Important to know about fillings and crowns
Whitening gel only works on natural tooth tissue. Composite fillings, crowns and veneers do not change colour. If a front tooth has a visible filling, it will remain darker after whitening and has to be replaced. That is why whitening is always planned before aesthetic restorations, not after.
Book an appointment at Unidenta dental studio in Tallinn — we will assess your teeth and tell you honestly whether whitening will give you the result you want.