How much does teeth whitening cost at a dentist in Munich?
The cost of professional whitening in Munich varies depending on the method: in-office whitening with Philips Zoom costs €350–500, home whitening with custom trays €200–300, and the combination of both methods €450–700. A top-up treatment after 1–2 years is €100–200. A recommended professional cleaning beforehand adds €80–120. All prices are guidelines — the exact cost is confirmed after your pre-assessment.
How long does professional teeth whitening last?
With good care, professional whitening results typically last 1 to 3 years. How long they hold depends heavily on your habits: frequent consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco will shorten the result. Regular professional cleanings and using fluoride toothpaste will help extend it. After 1–2 years, a short top-up treatment with your existing home whitening trays is usually enough to refresh the result.
Is teeth whitening harmful to your teeth?
Professional whitening under dental supervision using EU-compliant materials is safe and does not damage the enamel when a careful pre-assessment is carried out. Studies show that hydrogen peroxide at therapeutic concentrations leaves no lasting damage to hard tooth structure. Temporary sensitivity for 1–3 days after treatment is common but harmless. We minimise this significantly with our desensitisation protocol using ACP gel and a fluoride sealant.
What is the difference between in-office and home whitening?
With in-office whitening (e.g. Philips Zoom), the entire treatment takes place at the practice: in a single session of 60–90 minutes you achieve immediately visible results of up to 8 shades. With home whitening, you receive custom-fitted trays and professional gel to use at home. Whitening happens gradually over 2 weeks and the result is often particularly even. Both methods are safe and effective — combining them typically delivers the best results.
How does Philips Zoom whitening work?
Philips Zoom uses a specialised hydrogen peroxide gel (25–38% H₂O₂) activated by blue LED light. The released oxygen radicals penetrate the hard tooth structure and break down the colour-causing molecules (chromogens) into colour-neutral compounds. Treatment runs in three cycles of 15 minutes each. The integrated Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (ACP) desensitisation protocol remineralises the enamel and reduces post-treatment sensitivity. Results are visible immediately.
Does health insurance cover the cost of teeth whitening?
No, teeth whitening is a purely cosmetic treatment and is not covered as a standard benefit by either statutory or private health insurance. However, some supplemental dental insurance policies with a cosmetics add-on contribute up to €500 per year towards whitening treatments. We recommend checking your policy or contacting your insurer directly. We are happy to provide a detailed invoice under GOZ that you can submit to your supplemental insurer.
How white will my teeth actually get?
Most patients achieve a whitening of 4 to 8 shades on the VITA Shade Guide — the difference between a natural yellow tone (e.g. A3) and a bright natural white (A1 or B1). The exact result depends on your starting shade, tooth structure, and the method chosen. At your initial consultation we measure your starting shade and agree on a realistic target shade together. Important: crowns, veneers, and fillings cannot be whitened.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have sensitive teeth?
Yes, in many cases whitening is possible even with sensitive teeth. During the pre-assessment we look into the cause of the sensitivity: if it is due to exposed root surfaces, dentine hypersensitivity, or enamel defects, we may opt for home whitening at a lower concentration (10% carbamide peroxide) — which is gentler while still being very effective. Our desensitisation protocol with ACP gel before and after treatment, along with the fluoride sealant, significantly reduces sensitivity.
How often can you repeat teeth whitening?
There is no fixed rule for how often whitening can be repeated. As a guideline, we recommend waiting at least 12–18 months between treatments to allow the enamel to fully recover. For regular maintenance, home whitening with existing trays is ideal: a short top-up application of 3–5 days after 1–2 years is gentle and sufficient to keep results looking fresh. Whitening too frequently risks enamel damage.
Does whitening work on coffee and tea stains?
Yes, extrinsic (external) stains from coffee, tea, red wine, or tobacco respond excellently to whitening. The hydrogen peroxide gel effectively breaks down the embedded chromogens. However, a professional cleaning to remove all surface deposits and stains should come first — only then can the whitening gel penetrate the enamel evenly. After whitening, reducing consumption of staining substances will help the results last longer.
Why is professional whitening better than over-the-counter products?
The decisive difference is active ingredient concentration: EU law limits consumer products to a maximum of 0.1% hydrogen peroxide — far too little for a meaningful result. Professional systems work with 6–38% H₂O₂ (available to dentists only). On top of that comes customisation: we tailor treatment to your tooth structure, starting shade, and sensitivity. Over-the-counter strips don't fit precisely, produce uneven results, and can irritate the gums. Professional whitening is safer, faster, and significantly more effective.
Is teeth whitening safe during pregnancy?
We recommend postponing whitening during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. There are no studies definitively establishing a risk — but as a precaution we advise against it, since hydrogen peroxide could theoretically be absorbed into the bloodstream. After pregnancy and once you have finished breastfeeding, there is no obstacle to whitening. In the meantime, a professional cleaning can reduce external staining and restore more of your natural tooth colour.
What do I need to do after teeth whitening?
The first 48 hours after whitening are critical: avoid coffee, tea, red wine, cola, curry, turmeric, tomato sauce, and all strongly pigmented foods and drinks — the enamel is particularly porous and receptive during this window. Avoid tobacco too. Use fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush. Mild tooth sensitivity in the first 1–3 days is normal. If discomfort persists, please contact us.
Can crowns and fillings be whitened?
No — dental restorations such as crowns, veneers, inlays, bridges, and composite fillings do not respond to whitening gel. These materials (ceramic, composite, metal) do not contain chromogens that hydrogen peroxide can break down. If you have restorations in the front teeth but still want a whiter smile, we'll discuss the options together: for example, whitening the natural teeth first and then replacing the restorations to match the new shade. This requires careful planning.
Do I need a professional cleaning before whitening?
Yes, a professional teeth cleaning (PTC) before whitening is not optional — it is an important prerequisite for optimal results. Biofilm, plaque, and tartar on the tooth surfaces prevent the whitening gel from penetrating evenly. On clean, deposit-free teeth, Philips Zoom can perform to its full potential. We typically schedule the cleaning and whitening in the same appointment — saving you time while ensuring the best possible outcome.