Teeth Whitening
歯科ハミール高田88 Director
Masashi Motegi
Hello, I’m Masashi Motegi, the director.
The color of your teeth has a big effect on how your face comes across. Whitening brings out your teeth’s natural brightness without shaving any of the tooth away, making it a good choice if you want to change the impression your smile gives without damaging your teeth.
At 歯科ハミール高田88, we recommend the whitening method that best fits your wishes and lifestyle. Because how much whitening you notice varies from person to person, we make a point of explaining how it works, what to watch for, and the cost, all in the counseling before we start.
Many patients come to us ahead of a milestone like a job search or a wedding. If you’re hoping for whiter teeth here in Takadanobaba, please come talk to us.
A Brighter Smile for a Better First Impression
The color of your teeth is a major factor in first impressions. Bright, white teeth look clean and give a youthful, healthy impression, while yellowed teeth can make you look less clean, or older than you are.
Whitening brightens your teeth without shaving any of the tooth away. A dedicated whitening agent breaks down the pigment that has built up inside the tooth and restores its natural whiteness. It’s painless and can produce results in a short period, which is why many patients choose it.
Types of Whitening
In-Office Whitening
This whitening is done at the clinic. We apply a high-concentration whitening agent to your teeth and shine a dedicated light on them to break down the pigment. You’ll notice results after one session (about 60–90 minutes), so it works fast. For an even whiter result, repeating it a few times builds on the effect. It’s a good choice if you have a wedding, an interview, or another important event coming up and want whiter teeth right away.
At-Home Whitening
This whitening is done at home. We make a custom-fitted mouthpiece for you, and you fill it with whitening gel and wear it. Wearing it for about 2 hours a day over roughly 2 weeks whitens your teeth over that period.
We use Opalescence 10%, a low concentration that’s gentle on your teeth and carries a lower risk of sensitivity. Because it takes its time to whiten, the result looks natural and lasts longer.
Since you can go at your own pace, it suits anyone who’s too busy for frequent clinic visits, or who prefers whitening over a longer period.
Dual Whitening
This combines in-office and at-home whitening. In-office whitening brightens your teeth at the clinic, and at-home whitening afterward locks that whiteness in.
It’s the most effective option we offer: you reach your ideal shade in a short time, and the result also tends to last longer. We recommend it if you want a combination of in-office and at-home treatment.
Features of Our Whitening
Both In-Office and At-Home Options
We offer both in-office and at-home whitening. Each has its own advantages, so you can choose whichever fits your lifestyle and preferences.
In-office whitening is done at the clinic, and you’ll notice results after one session. It’s a good fit if you want fast results or have an event like a wedding coming up. At-home whitening is done at home and whitens your teeth over a longer period. It suits anyone too busy for frequent visits, or who’d like to go at their own pace.
You can also combine the two as dual whitening for an even stronger result.
We Use Opalescence
We use Opalescence 10%. Opalescence is a whitening agent developed in the United States, and it’s a reliable product used widely around the world.
A 10% concentration strikes the right balance between effectiveness and safety, whitening your teeth well while keeping the strain on them low. It also carries a low risk of sensitivity, and many patients can use it without worry.
Cleaning Before Whitening
To get the most out of whitening, we clean your teeth before the procedure. If plaque or tartar is sitting on the surface of your teeth, they can prevent even penetration of the whitening agent and cause patchy results.
Cleaning the surface of your teeth first lets the whitening agent work properly for an even result. Cleaning alone also removes some surface staining, so we can check your teeth’s true color before starting whitening.
The Whitening Process
Counseling
Tell us how white you’d like your teeth and which sounds better to you: in-office or at-home whitening. We’ll recommend the method that best fits your lifestyle and any upcoming events. If you have a cavity or periodontal disease, we treat that first.
Consultation
We check your teeth’s current color and set a target shade for after whitening. Fillings and crowns don’t whiten, so if the color difference bothers you afterward, we may suggest replacing them with ceramic.
Cleaning
We remove plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth to improve the whitening result. Cleaning alone lifts some staining and reveals your teeth’s true underlying color.
Whitening
For in-office whitening, we protect your gums, apply the whitening agent, and shine a dedicated light on your teeth. We repeat this a few times, and the whole session takes about 60 to 90 minutes. You’ll see whiter teeth right after the session.
For at-home whitening, we make you a custom-fitted mouthpiece and walk you through how to use it. You fill it with Opalescence 10% gel and wear it at home for 2 hours a day, for about 2 weeks.
Maintenance and Touch-Ups
To keep your teeth white, we recommend cutting back on foods and drinks that cause staining and getting regular cleanings. A touch-up every six months to a year keeps your teeth white, and with at-home whitening you can touch up at home whenever you notice it fading.
Pricing
In-Office Whitening
In-Office Whitening (1 session)
Recommended for
Anyone who wants whiter teeth right away, or who has an event coming up
| Procedure | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|
| Fast-acting whitening performed at the clinic | ¥33,000 |
In-Office Triple Course (3 sessions)
Recommended for
Anyone who wants to go even whiter, or wants a thorough result
| Procedure | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|
| A set of 3 sessions for a stronger result | ¥82,500 |
Perfect Whitening Set
Recommended for
Anyone who wants whiter teeth in a short time and wants to keep them white for a long time
| Procedure | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|
| A combined plan pairing in-office and at-home whitening | ¥104,500 |
At-Home Whitening
At-Home Whitening (Half Arch)
Recommended for
Anyone who wants to whiten just part of their smile
| Procedure | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|
| At-home whitening for the upper or lower arch only | ¥22,000 |
At-Home Whitening (Full Arch)
Recommended for
Anyone who wants to whiten at home, at their own pace
| Procedure | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|
| At-home whitening for the full upper and lower arches | ¥33,000 |
Additional Gel Refill (2 tubes)
Recommended for
Touch-ups and maintenance
| Procedure | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|
| Extra gel for at-home whitening | ¥4,400 |
Additional Gel Refill (4 tubes)
Recommended for
Anyone who wants thorough upkeep
| Procedure | Price (Tax Included) |
|---|---|
| Extra gel for at-home whitening | ¥8,800 |
Making the Results Last
Cut Back on Foods and Drinks That Stain
For 24 to 48 hours after whitening, your teeth have a higher risk of staining. It’s important to avoid foods and drinks that cause staining during this time. Coffee, tea, wine, curry, ketchup, and soy sauce are common culprits. If you do have any, try using a straw, rinsing your mouth right after eating, or brushing soon afterward.
Try to Quit Smoking
Tar from cigarettes is a major cause of tooth staining. Quitting is the ideal way to make your whitening results last. Even if quitting isn’t realistic, cutting back on how much you smoke, or brushing after each cigarette, can reduce staining.
Proper Brushing
Careful daily brushing makes it harder for stains to take hold. Try to brush soon after eating so nothing is left sitting on your teeth.
A whitening toothpaste can help you hold onto that whiteness. That said, some contain a lot of abrasive, which can wear down the tooth surface, so be mindful of how often you use them.
Regular Maintenance
Getting your teeth cleaned at a regular checkup removes surface staining and keeps your teeth looking white. We recommend a checkup every 3 months.
Doing a touch-up whitening session every six months to a year also helps keep your teeth white, and with at-home whitening you can touch up whenever you notice it fading.
Common Questions
How much whiter will my teeth get?
This varies from person to person, but teeth generally become about 2 to 4 shades whiter. The result depends on your original tooth color and how much staining there is. Some cases, such as discoloration caused by antibiotics, are harder for whitening to improve. During your counseling, we’ll give you an idea of how white your teeth can get.
How long do the results last?
About 3 to 6 months for in-office whitening, and 6 months to a year for at-home whitening. That said, it varies depending on your diet, whether you smoke, and how often you maintain it. Regular cleaning and touch-ups help keep your teeth white for longer.
Is This Covered by Insurance?
Whitening is a cosmetic treatment, so it is not covered by insurance and is self-pay.
Will my fillings or crowns get whiter too?
Whitening only works on natural teeth. Fillings and crowns won’t whiten. If the color difference bothers you afterward, we recommend replacing them with ceramic or a similar material.
Thinking About Whitening in Takadanobaba?
At 歯科ハミール高田88, we offer both in-office and at-home whitening. Using Opalescence, we offer whitening with attention to safety and results. We’re a 1-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station and open on weekends too, so we’re easy to visit on your way home from work or school.
If you’re self-conscious about the color of your teeth, have a wedding or job search coming up, or want to get back a youthful look, please start by talking to us. We’ll take the time to listen to what you want in your counseling and recommend the whitening plan that suits you best.
