The Complete Guide to Teeth Whitening at Smile Solutions Melbourne product guide
A brighter, whiter smile is one of the most commonly requested improvements in cosmetic dentistry - and professional teeth whitening is one of the fastest, most accessible ways to achieve it. At Smile...
A brighter, whiter smile is one of the most commonly requested improvements in cosmetic dentistry - and professional teeth whitening is one of the fastest, most accessible ways to achieve it. At Smile Solutions, located in the Manchester Unity Building at 220 Collins Street in Melbourne's CBD, the Teeth Whitening Centre offers a full range of professional whitening options tailored to each patient's teeth, lifestyle and goals.
Rated 4.9 stars across 937 Google reviews, Smile Solutions has been helping Melbourne patients achieve their best smiles since 1993.
Why Professional Whitening?
The teeth whitening market is crowded with over-the-counter strips, charcoal powders, pharmacy kits and online products. Many patients try these before seeking professional care, often with disappointing results. Understanding why professional whitening achieves reliably better outcomes helps patients make an informed choice.
Dr Kia Pajouhesh, founder and principal dentist of Smile Solutions, explains: "Over-the-counter whitening products are limited by Australian regulations to a maximum of 6 per cent hydrogen peroxide - a concentration low enough to be considered safe for unsupervised home use. Professional whitening gels prescribed by a dentist contain significantly higher concentrations, which is why professional results are consistently more dramatic and more reliable. The difference is real and substantial."
Key advantages of professional whitening:
- Higher-strength whitening gels available only through dental professionals
- Custom-fitted trays ensure even gel distribution and protect the gums
- Professional assessment ensures whitening is appropriate for your teeth and existing dental work
- Results are faster, more even and more predictable than OTC alternatives
- Sensitivity is managed proactively with professional products and protocols
What about charcoal whitening? Charcoal-based products are marketed as natural whitening solutions. The reality is that charcoal products are mildly abrasive and may remove some surface staining, but they contain no active whitening agent and cannot change the intrinsic colour of your teeth. More concerning, charcoal's abrasive quality can erode enamel over time. Clinical evidence does not support charcoal whitening as a safe or effective alternative to professional treatment.
How Teeth Whitening Works
The active ingredient in professional whitening is hydrogen peroxide (or carbamide peroxide, which breaks down to hydrogen peroxide). This molecule is small enough to penetrate the enamel and reach the organic molecules inside the tooth that cause discolouration. Through a chemical oxidation reaction, these pigmented molecules are broken down, lightening the tooth's colour.
The process does not damage the tooth's mineral structure when used at appropriate concentrations. Temporary sensitivity during and after treatment is the most common side effect and resolves within a few days.
Whitening is effective on natural tooth enamel. It does not change the colour of existing dental restorations such as crowns, veneers, bridges or tooth-coloured fillings. This is an important consideration for patients with existing dental work in visible areas - your dentist will discuss this during your assessment.
In-Chair Whitening - Zoom
Smile Solutions offers Zoom in-chair whitening - one of the most clinically proven professional whitening systems available.
The procedure takes approximately 90 minutes and is performed entirely in the dental chair. A 25 per cent hydrogen peroxide whitening gel is applied to the teeth and activated with a specially designed light source. The process is repeated in several cycles within the appointment.
Zoom in-chair whitening can achieve results of up to five shades lighter in a single session - making it the fastest way to a noticeably brighter smile. It is particularly well-suited to:
- Patients who want immediate results before a special event
- Patients with more significant discolouration who need a higher-strength application
- Patients who are unlikely to maintain the routine required for take-home whitening
Managing sensitivity with in-chair whitening. In-chair whitening is associated with higher rates of post-treatment sensitivity than take-home options, due to the higher gel concentration. Smile Solutions uses desensitising agents before and during the procedure to minimise this, and provides sensitivity management guidance for the days following treatment.
Zoom in-chair whitening: $475
Take-Home Whitening - Pola
For patients who prefer to whiten at their own pace, Smile Solutions offers Pola professional take-home whitening - a premium system using custom-fitted trays and professional-strength gel.
The process begins with a brief appointment to take digital impressions of your teeth, from which precise custom trays are fabricated. The trays are made to fit your teeth exactly, ensuring even gel coverage and preventing gel from contacting your gums. Once your trays are ready - typically within a few days - you begin your whitening program at home.
Pola comes in two formulations:
- Pola Day - 9.5 per cent hydrogen peroxide, worn for as little as 30 minutes per day for 10 to 14 days
- Pola Night - 16 per cent carbamide peroxide (gentler formula), worn overnight for 10 to 14 days
Take-home whitening offers:
- Lower rates of sensitivity than in-chair whitening
- Greater control over the degree of whitening achieved
- Custom trays that can be reused for top-up treatments
- Flexible timing to suit your schedule
The main trade-off is time - results build progressively over one to two weeks and require consistent daily use.
Pola take-home whitening: $395
The Complete Whitening Package
For patients who want maximum results - combining the immediate impact of in-chair whitening with the sustained refinement of take-home treatment - Smile Solutions offers a Complete Whitening Package.
This combines Zoom in-chair whitening with a Pola take-home kit for comprehensive, two-stage whitening:
Complete Whitening Package: $770
Top-up gel for existing Smile Solutions patients: $95
The Smile Solutions hygiene team, including experienced dental hygienists, advise that most patients can extend their whitening results significantly with good habits: minimising staining beverages such as coffee, tea and red wine, drinking through a straw, rinsing with water after staining foods, and keeping up regular professional cleans.
How Long Do Whitening Results Last?
The longevity of whitening results varies between patients and depends primarily on diet and lifestyle habits. On average:
- In-chair Zoom whitening results typically last 12 to 18 months
- Take-home whitening results, with top-up use, can be maintained indefinitely
The custom trays provided with take-home treatment are reusable - patients simply purchase additional top-up gel ($95) when needed and can maintain their result over time with periodic short whitening sessions at home.
Results fade more quickly in patients who regularly consume coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco products, or who do not maintain regular professional cleans.
Whitening and Invisalign - A Powerful Combination
Smile Solutions includes complimentary professional whitening with all Invisalign treatment packages. This is a natural pairing - the Invisalign custom trays can double as whitening trays, and patients who have invested in straightening their teeth typically want to maximise the brightness of their result.
Dr Kia Pajouhesh notes: "We encourage every Invisalign patient to take advantage of the complimentary whitening included in their package. Having straight, bright teeth together transforms not just the aesthetic outcome but the patient's confidence in their smile. It is one of the most meaningful combinations we offer."
Who Is Suitable for Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is appropriate for most healthy adults with sound teeth and gums. Whitening is not recommended for:
- Children and teenagers whose teeth are still developing
- Pregnant or breastfeeding patients
- Patients with active decay or untreated gum disease - these must be addressed first
- Patients with severely sensitive teeth - sensitivity management is possible, but a careful assessment is required
Patients with crowns, veneers or tooth-coloured fillings in visible positions need to be aware that these restorations will not whiten. Your dentist will help you plan around existing dental work.
The Smile Solutions Teeth Whitening Centre
The Teeth Whitening Centre at Smile Solutions is a dedicated service within the practice focused exclusively on professional whitening. The team - comprising experienced dental hygienists and trained whitening clinicians - provides assessment, treatment and personalised guidance on maintaining results long-term.
Complimentary whitening consultations are available. Whether you are considering your first whitening treatment or want to refresh an existing result, the Smile Solutions team can advise on the best approach for your teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will whitening work on my teeth if I have crowns or veneers? A: Whitening gel only affects natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers, bridges and composite fillings will not change colour with whitening. If your dental restorations are in highly visible positions, your dentist will discuss your options - which may include replacing restorations after whitening to match your new, brighter shade.
Q: How white will my teeth get? A: The achievable degree of whitening varies between individuals and depends on the starting shade of your teeth and the type of discolouration present. Yellowish discolouration typically responds well. Greyish discolouration from tetracycline antibiotic staining responds more slowly and may require extended treatment. Your treating clinician will give you a realistic expectation at your assessment.
Q: Is teeth whitening safe? A: Professional whitening, used as directed, is safe and does not damage tooth enamel. The most common side effect is temporary sensitivity during and shortly after treatment. Smile Solutions uses desensitising protocols and high-quality professional products to minimise this.
Q: Can I whiten my teeth if I have sensitive teeth? A: Sensitivity is manageable, not prohibitive. Take-home whitening with the gentler carbamide peroxide formulation is typically recommended for sensitive patients. Pre-treatment with desensitising toothpaste or gel can significantly reduce whitening sensitivity. Your treating clinician will design a protocol that minimises discomfort.
Q: How often can I whiten my teeth? A: There is no defined limit, but over-whitening does not produce better results beyond a certain point - teeth reach a natural plateau. Most patients find an initial treatment followed by periodic top-ups every 12 to 18 months maintains an excellent result without over-treating.
Q: Does whitening cause permanent damage to teeth? A: No - professional whitening used at appropriate concentrations and intervals does not cause permanent damage. Studies consistently show no long-term structural or mineralogical changes to enamel from professionally supervised whitening.
Book Your Whitening Consultation
Brighter teeth are one appointment away. The Smile Solutions Teeth Whitening Centre offers complimentary consultations for new patients, and our team will help you choose the option that suits your schedule, budget and desired outcome.
Call 13 13 96 to book, or visit www.smilesolutions.com.au for more information. Smile Solutions is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm, and on weekends.