What Is Teeth Whitening?
Dentist Grants Pass
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure designed to eliminate stains and discoloration and enhance the overall brightness of your smile. Over time, teeth can become yellow or dull due to aging, tobacco use, medications, or foods and drinks like coffee, tea, and red wine. Whitening treatments work by using professional-grade bleaching agents to break down these stains at a molecular level, restoring a whiter, more radiant appearance.
Unlike over-the-counter products, professional whitening offers faster, more consistent results with less risk of irritation or uneven color. In-office whitening can deliver noticeable results in a single visit, while custom take-home kits provide flexibility with professional oversight. At Spendlove Dental, we tailor every whitening treatment to suit the patient’s specific goals, ensuring comfort, safety, and optimal brightness. Whether you’re preparing for a big event or simply want to feel more confident in your smile, professional teeth whitening offers a non-invasive, effective way to refresh your appearance. With the right maintenance, results can last for months and be easily refreshed when needed.
Why Trust Dr. Niklaus Spendlove?
Dentist Grants Pass
Dr. Niklaus Spendlove is widely recognized for his meticulous approach and artistic eye in cosmetic dentistry, making him a trusted provider of professional teeth whitening. Before recommending treatment, he conducts a thorough evaluation to ensure your oral health is optimal and to select the safest, most effective whitening approach for your specific needs. This attention to detail helps minimize sensitivity, prevent damage, and deliver consistent, even results.
Patient comfort and satisfaction are always our top priorities. Dr. Spendlove listens carefully to your concerns and customizes treatment based on your lifestyle, whitening goals, and tolerance levels. His use of the latest whitening technologies ensures noticeable results while preserving the health and integrity of your enamel. Patients appreciate his calm demeanor, clear communication, and ability to make the whitening process efficient, comfortable, and rewarding. Whether you’re brightening for a special occasion or simply want to enhance your everyday smile, Dr. Spendlove provides a personalized, professional experience you can trust from start to finish.
Benefits of Teeth Whitening
Dentist Grants Pass
Enhanced Appearance
Whitening removes years of stains and discoloration, giving you a noticeably brighter, fresher smile. This cosmetic enhancement improves overall appearance and helps you feel more polished and put-together in both everyday interactions and special occasions.
Increased Confidence
A whiter smile can dramatically improve self-esteem and boost your confidence in social, personal, and professional settings. Feeling good about your smile helps you express yourself more freely and engage with others more comfortably.
Non-Invasive Treatment
Teeth whitening is a simple, non-invasive cosmetic option that delivers fast, noticeable results without shots, drilling, or recovery time. It’s an easy way to transform your smile and appearance without committing to complex or lengthy procedures.
What Our Patients Have to Say
What Clinical Research Shows About Professional Teeth Whitening
Whitening effect maintained after six months
88
Patients without moderate-to-great sensitivity after light-assisted whitening
80
Patients without moderate-to-great sensitivity after peroxide-only whitening
78.3
Patients without moderate sensitivity during dentist-dispensed home whitening
90
Patients without severe sensitivity during dentist-dispensed home whitening
96
Patients without severe sensitivity after two weeks of home whitening
100
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
0%
10%
20%
| Professional Teeth Whitening Evidence | Percentage | What the Data Shows |
|---|---|---|
| Whitening effect maintained after six months | 88% | A JADA clinical trial found that approximately 88% of the initial whitening effect remained six months after treatment. |
| No moderate-to-great sensitivity after light-assisted whitening | 80% | In the same trial, 20% of the light-and-peroxide group reported moderate-to-great sensitivity after one week, meaning 80% did not. |
| No moderate-to-great sensitivity after peroxide-only whitening | 78.3% | The trial reported moderate-to-great sensitivity in 21.7% of the peroxide-only group, meaning 78.3% did not report that sensitivity level. |
| No moderate sensitivity during home whitening | 90% | A JADA study found moderate sensitivity in 10% of patients using a dentist-dispensed home whitening gel, meaning 90% did not experience moderate sensitivity. |
| No severe sensitivity during home whitening | 96% | Severe sensitivity was reported by 4% of patients in the home-whitening study, meaning 96% did not experience severe sensitivity. |
| No severe sensitivity after two weeks | 100% | The home-whitening study reported that no participants experienced severe sensitivity after the second week of treatment. |
Sources: Tavares M, Stultz J, Newman M, et al. “Light Augments Tooth Whitening with Peroxide.” Journal of the American Dental Association. 2003;134(2):167-175. View the JADA study | Jorgensen MG, Carroll WB. “Incidence of Tooth Sensitivity After Home Whitening Treatment.” Journal of the American Dental Association. 2002;133(8):1076-1082. View the JADA study
What Grants Pass Patients Should Know About Teeth Whitening
A dental examination should come first.
Dr. Spendlove can identify decay, gum irritation, exposed roots, enamel defects, or other conditions that may need attention before whitening begins.
Whitening works on natural tooth structure.
Crowns, veneers, fillings, and bonding do not respond to whitening gel in the same way as natural enamel, so visible restorations may need to be considered during treatment planning.
Different stains respond differently.
Yellow or age-related discoloration may respond differently than gray, medication-related, internal, or trauma-related discoloration.
Sensitivity is generally temporary.
The ADA reports that tooth sensitivity and gum irritation are the most common whitening side effects and that these effects are usually mild and transient.
Whitening results require maintenance.
Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, and other staining substances can gradually affect tooth color after treatment.
Professional oversight supports appropriate treatment.
Dr. Spendlove can recommend the whitening method, application schedule, and sensitivity precautions that fit the patient’s teeth and oral health.
Read Our 5-Star Reviews
Dentist Grants Pass
“Professional teeth whitening allows me to evaluate the cause of discoloration, protect the teeth and gums, and recommend an approach based on the patient’s oral health. I also explain how sensitivity, existing restorations, and daily habits may affect the treatment and results.”
Dr. Niklaus Spendlove
Questions Grants Pass Dental Patients Ask
How does professional teeth whitening work?
Whitening products use peroxide-based ingredients to break down colored compounds within the tooth structure. Dr. Spendlove evaluates the patient’s teeth and recommends an appropriate whitening method based on the type of discoloration, existing dental work, and sensitivity history.
Will teeth whitening work on crowns, veneers, fillings, or bonding?
No. Whitening gel changes the color of natural teeth but does not predictably lighten crowns, veneers, fillings, or bonded composite resin. Dr. Spendlove considers visible restorations when planning treatment so patients understand how the final shades may compare.
Does professional teeth whitening cause sensitivity?
Some patients experience temporary tooth sensitivity during or after whitening. The likelihood and intensity can be affected by peroxide concentration, treatment duration, exposed root surfaces, existing sensitivity, and the whitening method used.
How long do teeth whitening results last?
The duration varies according to diet, oral hygiene, tobacco use, initial discoloration, and maintenance habits. Patients who frequently consume coffee, tea, red wine, or other staining products may notice color changes sooner.
Can every type of tooth discoloration be whitened?
Not every stain responds equally. Surface stains and some age-related discoloration may respond well, while internal discoloration caused by trauma, medication, enamel development, or previous dental treatment may require a different cosmetic approach.
Should patients whiten their teeth before dental bonding or other cosmetic treatment?
Whitening is often considered before shade-matched bonding, veneers, crowns, or fillings because restorative materials do not whiten afterward. Dr. Spendlove can determine the appropriate treatment order and allow the tooth shade to stabilize before selecting restorative materials.