Teeth whitening in Busan
Professional teeth whitening uses a peroxide gel to lift stains from within the enamel. At Dr. Oh's Dental Clinic in Haeundae, Busan, an in-office session takes about 60 to 90 minutes and typically lightens teeth by several shades. Take-home trays are an alternative that works more gradually over one to two weeks.
In-office versus take-home whitening
In-office whitening uses a higher-concentration gel applied by the dentist with the gums protected. You see the change the same day. Take-home whitening uses custom trays and a milder gel worn for a set period each day; the end result is comparable, it just arrives more slowly and costs less.
Many patients do both: one in-office session to get the bulk of the change, then trays to maintain it. That combination is usually the best value.
What whitening will and will not fix
- Responds well: yellowing from coffee, tea, red wine, curry and tobacco; general age-related dulling.
- Responds partially: greyish discolouration, tetracycline staining. Improvement is possible but limited and slow.
- Does not respond: crowns, veneers, composite fillings. These keep their original shade, so whitening can leave them looking darker or lighter than the teeth around them.
If you have visible fillings or crowns on your front teeth, we plan the order deliberately: whiten first, then match the restorations to the new shade.
Sensitivity
Temporary sensitivity to cold is the most common side effect and usually settles within a day or two. We reduce it with desensitising agents and by adjusting gel contact time. Tell us before treatment if your teeth are already sensitive — we will change the protocol rather than push through it.
Before you whiten
Whitening should follow a check-up and cleaning, not precede it. Gel on an untreated cavity or inflamed gums causes unnecessary pain, and plaque blocks the gel from reaching the enamel evenly. A professional cleaning first also removes surface staining, which sometimes makes a substantial difference on its own.
Frequently asked questions
How long does teeth whitening last?
Typically one to three years, depending on diet and smoking. Coffee, tea, red wine and smoking shorten it considerably. Occasional top-up nights with take-home trays keep the shade stable much longer than repeating full in-office sessions.
Is teeth whitening safe for enamel?
Professionally supervised whitening at controlled concentrations does not damage enamel. The risks are temporary sensitivity and gum irritation, both of which are managed by protecting the soft tissue and adjusting exposure. Unsupervised high-strength products bought online are where problems usually start.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have braces?
Not during fixed-brace treatment, because the brackets block the gel and you would end up with patches. Whitening after debonding, once the enamel has settled for a couple of weeks, gives an even result. Aligner patients can often whiten during treatment.
Is whitening covered by Korean health insurance?
No. Whitening is classed as cosmetic and is not covered by National Health Insurance for any patient, Korean or foreign. It is paid privately, and we give the price before treatment.