A brighter, whiter smile can take years off your appearance and significantly boost your confidence. At Dental Sedation Ottawa, we offer professional-strength teeth whitening treatments that deliver dramatic results safely—whether you prefer fast in-office power whitening or gradual at-home treatment. And for patients with dental anxiety, we can perform whitening under sedation as part of comprehensive cosmetic care.
Professional teeth whitening uses concentrated bleaching agents—typically hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide—to break apart stain molecules within your tooth enamel. Unlike over-the-counter strips or toothpastes that only remove surface stains, professional whitening actually changes your tooth color from the inside out.
The difference between drugstore products and professional treatment is like comparing a flashlight to stadium lighting. Professional-strength gel contains 15-40% peroxide concentration (compared to 3-10% in retail products), supervised by dental professionals who protect your gums and manage sensitivity. Results are dramatically better—typically 6-10 shades whiter versus 1-2 shades with over-the-counter options.
Common Causes of Tooth Discoloration: Age-related yellowing as enamel thins and inner dentin shows through, coffee and tea staining from daily consumption over years, red wine leaving purple-brown deposits, tobacco use creating stubborn brown stains, certain medications (especially tetracycline antibiotics taken during tooth development), fluorosis causing white or brown spots from excess fluoride exposure, and trauma causing internal tooth darkening. Professional whitening successfully addresses most extrinsic (surface) and many intrinsic (internal) stains, though results vary based on stain type and tooth structure.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a consultation today.
Most teeth whitening causes no discomfort beyond possible temporary sensitivity. However, if you're combining whitening with other cosmetic procedures, or if dental anxiety makes even routine treatments stressful, we offer comprehensive sedation options.
Mild, pleasant relaxation perfect for in-office whitening appointments. You remain fully aware but calm and comfortable. Effects wear off within minutes so you can drive home and return to your day.
Learn more about nitrous oxide →Prescribed medication taken before your appointment creates moderate drowsiness and reduces anxiety. Ideal when combining whitening with other procedures like bonding or veneer preparation. You'll need someone to drive you home.
Explore oral sedation →Deeper sedation delivered intravenously provides profound relaxation during extensive smile makeovers where whitening is one component among several procedures. Most patients have minimal memory of treatment.
Discover IV sedation →Complete sleep administered by our board-certified medical anesthesiologists (Dr. Hesham Talab, MD MSc PhD FRCPC FASE and Dr. Asad Mirghassemi, MD MSc FRCPC). Best for severe dental phobia or comprehensive smile makeovers combining whitening with multiple other treatments.
Learn about general anesthesia →Many patients choose to whiten teeth as the first step in a larger smile makeover. With appropriate sedation, we can complete whitening plus veneers, bonding, or other cosmetic work in a single visit—dramatically reducing the number of appointments needed.
Questions? We're here to help.
Our patients consistently rate us 5 stars for gentle, anxiety-free care. Read verified patient experiences on Google.
View All Reviews on GoogleWhitening only works on natural tooth enamel—it won't lighten crowns, veneers, fillings, or bonding. If you have visible dental work on front teeth and whiten, your natural teeth will become lighter while restorations stay their original shade, creating obvious mismatch.
Gray-toned discoloration (often from tetracycline medication or trauma) responds poorly to whitening compared to yellow-brown stains. Very thin enamel or exposed dentin may cause significant sensitivity.
Before treatment, we document your current shade with photographs and a shade guide. We perform a quick cleaning to remove surface plaque. Your gums, lips, and tongue are carefully protected with barriers. We apply concentrated whitening gel evenly, position the LED lamp or laser to activate the gel, and you relax for 15-20 minutes. We remove, reapply fresh gel, and repeat 2-3 more times. After final removal and rinsing, we apply desensitizing gel to minimize sensitivity. Most patients are amazed by the immediate visible difference.
Your first appointment involves taking precise impressions of your teeth. We send impressions to our laboratory where your custom trays are fabricated (usually 3-5 days). At your second appointment, we ensure trays fit perfectly and demonstrate proper gel application. At home, you apply a small amount of gel inside the trays and wear them for the prescribed duration (30 minutes to 8 hours depending on formulation). Repeat daily until reaching your desired shade, typically 7-21 days. We schedule a follow-up to assess results.
Tooth sensitivity is the most common side effect of whitening, affecting about 60-70% of patients to some degree. It's usually mild and temporary, resolving within 24-48 hours after in-office treatment or a few days after completing at-home treatment.
Sensitivity occurs because whitening temporarily opens tiny pores in enamel, allowing the bleaching agent to penetrate but also exposing nerve endings to temperature changes and air. As enamel remineralizes over the following days, sensitivity disappears.
For most patients, the temporary mild discomfort is a small price for dramatically whiter teeth. If you have severe existing sensitivity or very thin enamel, we can recommend alternative cosmetic solutions.
High-staining items include coffee, black tea, red wine, dark sodas, tomato sauce, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, berries (especially blueberries), curry, beets, and tobacco. You don't need to eliminate these entirely—moderation and rinsing after consumption significantly reduce staining.
Most patients benefit from touchup whitening every 6-18 months depending on lifestyle and desired shade. If you have custom trays from at-home whitening, touchups are easy and inexpensive—just purchase more gel and wear trays for 2-3 days. In-office touchup sessions (usually 30 minutes) are also available.
Expected Longevity: With good maintenance, in-office whitening typically stays bright for 1-3 years before noticeable fading. At-home whitening lasts similarly. Smokers and heavy coffee/tea drinkers may see fading within 6-12 months. Touchups restore brightness quickly.
60-90 minute appointment
Includes custom trays + gel
For existing tray owners
Most dental insurance plans don't cover cosmetic whitening as it's considered elective. However, the cost is modest compared to other cosmetic procedures, and the confidence boost most patients experience makes whitening one of the highest-value cosmetic investments available.
We accept payment by cash, credit, debit, and offer financing through third-party partners for comprehensive treatment plans that include whitening as one component. We also accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for eligible patients.
Compare to Over-the-Counter Products: While drugstore whitening strips ($40-60) seem cheaper initially, they deliver minimal results requiring multiple boxes to see noticeable change. Professional whitening's superior results, speed, and longevity typically make it more cost-effective long-term.
"I have not smiled since I was 8. My teeth have been a major insecurity my entire life. I went to see Dr. Alimova to fix my broken teeth and after coming up with an affordable plan I walked out 3 weeks later with the BIGGEST smile on my face. She is absolutely fantastic!"
— Fast Financing
"I have a new found confidence to go right along with my new perfect smile! If you are looking for cosmetic dental work Dr. Koniouchine is the one to see!"
— Sam Cotterill
"The cleaning was excellent, and I have to give a huge shoutout to Dr. Thien Nguyen. He is professional, friendly, and took the time to make sure I was comfortable. He explained everything clearly, and you can tell he truly cares about his patients. Highly recommend!"
— Maksim Avkhimenko
"Very clean and modern facilities. Very friendly and accommodating staff. Dr Anatolij is incredibly compassionate, efficient and skillful. The cost was also much less than what I was expecting—pleasant surprise!"
— Katayoon Pianonavaz
Dentist Referrals Welcome: We collaborate with referring dentists throughout Ottawa and Eastern Ontario for cosmetic sedation cases.
Learn About Our Referral ProcessSchedule your whitening consultation today. We'll assess your teeth, recommend the best approach for your goals, and help you achieve the brilliant white smile you deserve.
