About teeth whitening
Most patients see their teeth become 4–8 shades brighter (results vary). In-chair whitening uses a professional-strength gel applied in three 15-minute rounds. Take-home whitening uses custom-fitted trays and a gentler gel worn for 30–60 minutes a day for about 2 weeks. Whitening only works on natural enamel: it won't change the color of crowns, veneers or fillings.
Who it's for
- Adults and teens aged 16 and over with healthy teeth and gums
- Yellowing or staining from coffee, tea, red wine or aging
- Anyone preparing for a wedding, photos or a new job (allow about 2 weeks for take-home)
- Not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for patients under 16
Benefits
- Typically 4–8 shades brighter (results vary)
- In-chair results in a single 90-minute visit
- Custom take-home trays you can reuse for touch-ups ($39 gel refills)
- Desensitizing gel included to keep you comfortable
What's included
- Shade check and suitability review
- In-chair: professional-strength gel in three 15-minute rounds, with lips and gums protected
- Take-home: 3D scan, custom-fitted trays and whitening gel for about 2 weeks
- Final shade comparison and an aftercare kit with desensitizing gel
What to expect
We start with a quick check (and a cleaning if you're due), because whitening works best on clean teeth. Your lips and gums are protected, then the gel is applied in rounds while you relax with headphones. Take-home trays are made from a 3D scan and are ready in about a week.
- Treatment time
- 90 min in-chair
- Number of visits
- In-chair: 1 visit · Take-home: 2 short visits
Step by step
- 01
Shade check and suitability review
- 02
In-chair: three 15-minute whitening rounds
- 03
Take-home: 3D scan for custom trays, ready in about a week
- 04
Final shade comparison and aftercare kit
Recovery & aftercare
Follow a “white diet” for 48 hours: avoid coffee, tea, red wine, curry, berries and smoking. Mild sensitivity for 24–48 hours is common; we give you a desensitizing gel. Touch-up gel refills are $39.
- Recovery
- No downtime; mild sensitivity for 24–48 hours is common
Aftercare tips
- Follow a "white diet" for 48 hours: avoid coffee, tea, red wine, curry, berries and smoking
- Use the desensitizing gel from your kit if your teeth feel sensitive
- Keep your trays for touch-ups; gel refills are $39
- Keep up 6-monthly cleanings to remove new surface stains
Possible side effects
- Mild sensitivity to cold for 24–48 hours is common and settles on its own.
- Gums can feel slightly irritated if gel touches them; this fades within a day.
- Whitening only lightens natural enamel: crowns, veneers and fillings keep their current shade.
Your dentist explains the risks that apply to you before any treatment. Questions afterwards? Call +1 (555) 017-3300; after hours, press 2 for the on-call dentist.
Price, financing & insurance
Price
from $295
$295 take-home trays · $595 in-chair · $695 in-chair + take-home. Standard self-pay fees; you'll get a written estimate before any treatment.
- Take-home whitening trays
- $295
- In-chair whitening
- $595
- In-chair + take-home whitening
- $695
Insurance coverage
Not covered by dental insurance · typical PPO coverage: preventive 100%, basic 80%, major 50%
Whitening is cosmetic, so dental insurance does not cover it. Members save 15–20% on whitening, and Plus members get free take-home whitening after 12 months of membership.
Check your plan's coverage0% financing. We offer 0% financing for 12 months on treatment over $1,000, subject to credit approval. This treatment is under $1,000 on its own, but it qualifies when your overall treatment plan comes to more than $1,000. Longer plans of 24–60 months are available at fixed rates from 7.9% APR. The application takes about 2 minutes and uses a soft credit check that won't affect your credit score.
Membership plans. Members without insurance save 15% (Essential plan, $29/month) or 20% (Plus plan, $39/month, and Family plan, $99/month for up to 4 people) on treatment fees.
How insurance billing works. We check your benefits before your visit and give you a written estimate before any treatment. You pay your estimated portion at the visit and we file the claim with your insurer. If your plan pays more or less than estimated, we refund or bill the difference within 30 days. We're in-network with 10 PPO plans (BlueHarbor Dental PPO, Summit Dental PPO, Meridian Care PPO, Northstar Smile PPO, Clearwater Dental PPO, Keystone Benefits PPO, Pacific Crest Dental PPO, Lone Oak Employers PPO, Unity Mutual Dental PPO and Evergreen Dental Select PPO) and accept most other PPO plans out-of-network. We don't accept HMO / DHMO dental plans and Medicaid and CHIP dental plans.
How we keep it precise and calm
-
Intraoral scanner
No goopy impressions: a small wand captures a 3D model of your teeth in about 2 minutes.
-
Comfort menu
Noise-cancelling headphones, ceiling screens, weighted blankets, warm neck pillows and lip balm.
Sedation options. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas, $75) takes the edge off and wears off within minutes, so you can drive yourself home. Oral sedation ($250) is a prescribed tablet for longer visits or significant anxiety; you'll need someone to drive you home. We don't offer IV sedation in-house, but can refer you if needed. Our free comfort menu includes noise-cancelling headphones, ceiling screens, weighted blankets, warm neck pillows and lip balm.
Who performs it
At Haven Dental Studio, teeth whitening (treatment HD-T02) is provided by Dr. Elena Ruiz (Founder & Lead Dentist) and Hannah Ortiz (Lead Dental Hygienist).
Dr. Elena Ruiz
Founder & Lead Dentist
Hannah Ortiz
Lead Dental Hygienist
Real patients, real stories
Before
After
Ninety minutes with headphones on and a warm blanket, and my teeth were noticeably brighter. A little sensitivity for a day, and the gel they gave me sorted it out.
Teeth whitening: your questions
How much does teeth whitening cost?
Take-home whitening trays are $295, in-chair whitening is $595, and in-chair plus take-home is $695. Touch-up gel refills are $39. Whitening is cosmetic, so insurance doesn't cover it, but members save 15–20%.
How white will my teeth get?
Most patients see their teeth become 4–8 shades brighter. Results vary with your natural enamel and the cause of the staining; we show you your starting and final shade.
Does teeth whitening cause sensitivity?
Some patients feel mild sensitivity for 24–48 hours. We apply a desensitizing gel after in-chair whitening and include one in every take-home kit. Take-home trays with a gentler gel are a great option for sensitive teeth.
Will whitening work on my crowns or veneers?
No. Whitening only works on natural enamel and won't change the color of crowns, veneers or fillings. If they are on show, we'll plan whitening first and match any new work to your new shade.
Who shouldn't have teeth whitening?
We don't whiten for patients under 16 or during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Any cavities or gum problems should be treated first.
Before your visit
Payment methods
Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Apple Pay, Google Pay, HSA and FSA cards, and cash. We don't accept personal checks. Payment is due at the time of service.
Cancellation policy
Please give us at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice and missed appointments incur a $50 fee. We send reminders by text and email 48 hours and 2 hours before your appointment.
New patients
Comprehensive exam with your dentist, full digital X-rays, a standard cleaning and an oral cancer screening (a $394 value at our standard fees). For self-pay new patients aged 14 and over. Not combinable with insurance or membership plans.
Opening hours
Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, Sat 9am–3pm. Closed on Sundays. 240 Lakeview Avenue, Suite 3, Austin, TX 78701. Call +1 (555) 017-3300 or email hello@havendental.demo.
This page is general information about teeth whitening and is not a substitute for an in-person examination. Your dentist will recommend what's right for you. Prices are our standard self-pay fees in US dollars.