From $220, cleaning included. Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed in-office whitening, two 20-minute sessions in a single 90-minute visit. Up to 8 shades lighter, 50 to 70% less than US pricing.
Professional in-office whitening uses a 25% hydrogen peroxide gel applied directly to the enamel and activated by a UV light. Your gums are isolated with a protective barrier, your dentist controls the timing, and you walk out with the result already done. Drugstore strips deliver 6 to 10% peroxide and no light activation; the in-office system is faster and more even.
We use Philips Zoom WhiteSpeed, the most-prescribed in-office whitening system worldwide. The 25% hydrogen peroxide gel is activated by the Zoom UV light, which accelerates the peroxide chemistry for a faster, more uniform result than chemically-activated systems.
Every in-office whitening session begins with a routine hygienist cleaning. Removing plaque and surface stain first lets the peroxide reach the enamel evenly, which is the difference between a "pretty good" result and a great one. No surprise add-on bill.
After the cleaning and gum isolation, the Zoom gel is applied and the WhiteSpeed light runs for 20 minutes. The gel is removed, reapplied, and a second 20-minute session follows. Two sessions get most patients to their target shade.
Each case below was a single in-office Philips Zoom session in our Medellín clinic. More on the full results gallery.
Whitening looks like a low-stakes treatment, but the gel chemistry, gum isolation, and concentration control are what separate a great result from sensitive teeth and uneven shade.
Whitening lifts surface and intrinsic stains on natural enamel. It does not affect crowns, veneers, fillings, or deep tetracycline staining. If those are the issue, see veneers or crowns instead.
Years of tannin staining lift dramatically in one session. Maintenance trays once a year keep the result even with daily coffee.
Single 90-minute visit. Schedule 1 to 2 weeks before the event so the shade settles. Pair with a routine cleaning the same day for a complete refresh.
Whitening before veneer prep sets a brighter target shade. We match the new veneers to the lightened natural teeth so the entire arch reads consistently for years.
Strips can't reach the back side of teeth or between contacts, so the result is patchy. Chairside gel covers all enamel surfaces evenly under direct supervision.
Most patients book whitening alongside a cleaning, a single crown, or a veneer consult. The 90-minute slot fits easily into a treatment day.
Old trays lose their fit, gel breaks down with age, and concentration matters. A single in-office boost resets the baseline; we then send you home with fresh trays and gel for maintenance.
Routine cleaning, gum isolation, two 20-minute Zoom WhiteSpeed sessions, post-treatment desensitizer. You walk out with the result.
Routine cleaning by our hygienist removes plaque and surface stain so the peroxide reaches the enamel evenly. Without this step the result is patchy. Built into the session, not a separate bill.
Starting shade recorded with a Vita guide for before-and-after comparison. Lips and cheeks held back with a retractor; gums coated with a UV-cured barrier so the peroxide only touches enamel.
Philips Zoom 25% hydrogen peroxide gel applied to upper and lower arches, activated by the Zoom WhiteSpeed UV light for 20 minutes. Gel removed and reapplied for a second 20-minute session. Most patients hit their target shade in two sessions.
Relief ACP desensitizing gel applied for 5 minutes to seal the enamel and prevent sensitivity. Zoom DayWhite custom trays and a maintenance gel kit sent home with you.
The enamel pores are temporarily open after whitening. Skip coffee, red wine, dark teas, tomato sauce, and curries for 48 hours, the result locks in. After that, normal diet.
Same Philips Zoom system, same gel, same protocols. The price gap is overhead, not material, and we throw in the cleaning.
Prices reflect the all-in clinic cost: hygienist cleaning, shade match, gum isolation, two Zoom WhiteSpeed sessions, post-treatment desensitizer, and (for combo) custom trays and maintenance gel. Pair with a veneer consult before veneer prep for matched shade work.
Whitening lasts 1 to 3 years depending on lifestyle. The habits below stretch it toward the long end.
Enamel pores are open right after whitening. Skip coffee, red wine, dark teas, tomato sauce, curries, and berries. Stick to water, milk, plain pasta, chicken, fish, and clear broths. After 48 hours your enamel reseals and you can return to a normal diet.
Mild cold sensitivity for 24 to 48 hours is normal. Use the desensitizing gel we send home in the trays for 10 minutes a night during this window. If sensitivity is severe, message us, we can switch you to a milder maintenance protocol.
For coffee, tea, and red wine, a straw bypasses the front teeth. Combine with a water rinse after each cup. This single habit alone doubles the lifespan of the result for most patients.
Soft-bristled brush, fluoride toothpaste, twice a day. Avoid charcoal pastes, they're abrasive and don't actually whiten. Whitening toothpastes are fine but won't extend the result much; the maintenance trays do that.
Once a year, wear the take-home trays for 30 minutes a night for a week. This pushes the shade back to the in-office baseline without the cost of a full session.
For heavy coffee drinkers and smokers, an in-office top-up every 18 to 24 months keeps the smile photo-ready. Most patients combine it with a routine cleaning trip.
The questions we hear most about whitening specifically.
Philips Zoom in-office whitening from $220 with a routine cleaning included, about 50 to 70% less than US pricing of $400 to $1,000 (where the cleaning is usually billed separately). Take-home Zoom kits from $120; in-office plus take-home combo from $360. All-in clinic cost, no surprise add-ons.
1 to 3 years depending on lifestyle. Heavy coffee or red wine cuts it shorter, daily water-rinsing and the take-home maintenance trays push it longer. Most patients top up annually with trays and repeat in-office every 18 to 24 months.
No. Hydrogen peroxide gels at clinical concentrations have been studied for decades and do not damage enamel when applied with proper gum isolation. Philips Zoom uses a 25% peroxide concentration activated by the WhiteSpeed UV light; the Relief ACP desensitizer included in the kit prevents the cold sensitivity older systems were known for.
No. Whitening only lightens natural enamel. Existing crowns, veneers, and fillings stay the same shade. If you have visible restorations, we whiten the natural teeth first, then match new restorations to the lightened shade. Patients planning veneers often whiten 2 to 3 weeks beforehand to set a brighter target.
Usually yes. Zoom's 25% peroxide is gentler than older 35 to 40% systems, and the Relief ACP desensitizer takes the edge off any post-treatment sensitivity. Patients with severe sensitivity, recent gum recession, or unrestored decay should be evaluated first; Zoom take-home trays at lower concentrations are an alternative.
In-office Philips Zoom uses 25% hydrogen peroxide activated by a UV light; drugstore strips deliver 6 to 10% peroxide with no activation. The clinical gel produces 4 to 8 shades of change in one visit, where strips deliver 1 to 2 shades over weeks. Strips also can't reach the back side of teeth, so the result is uneven.
Practical guides for keeping the shade and combining whitening with other treatments.
If whitening isn't enough, the next decision is veneer or crown. Healthy tooth underneath → veneer. Compromised tooth → crown. Here's how to tell.
If whitening won't get you the shade you want, veneers are the next step. Two materials, very different price points and lifespans.
Combining whitening with a full smile redesign on the same trip. The schedule we use for international patients, day by day.
