Teeth Whitening in Singapore
Teeth whitening with Dr. Chrissie Lam, planned around your existing tooth shade, restorations, sensitivity concerns, and lifestyle.
Office and take-home Philips Zoom whitening available at 160 Robinson Road, near Tanjong Pagar MRT.
Or call us: +65 6904 8482
What does teeth whitening do?
Teeth whitening lightens internal colour changes within the natural tooth structure that cannot be removed by cleaning alone. The whitening agent works through the enamel and into the dentine to address discolouration that builds up over time from food, drink, ageing, or other causes.
Surface stains from coffee, tea, or food can often be improved with a professional clean. Deeper colour changes require whitening to address. An assessment helps determine which is contributing to the current shade before any whitening is planned.
What causes teeth to darken?
The most common causes of internal tooth discolouration include:
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Pigments from coffee, tea, red wine, curry, and other strongly coloured foods absorbed into the enamel and dentine over time
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Natural ageing, as enamel thins and the deeper yellow tone of the dentine becomes more visible
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Smoking and tobacco use, which can contribute to both surface and internal colour changes
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Previous dental treatment or trauma affecting a single tooth
Is an assessment needed before whitening?
Yes. An assessment is carried out before whitening is planned. This allows your dentist to check tooth and gum health, identify any existing fillings, crowns, or veneers that will not change colour with whitening, and plan the approach based on your individual dental condition. Whitening is only appropriate when the teeth and gums are healthy.
In-office whitening or take-home trays?
Penn Pacific Dental Center offers both Philips Zoom in-office whitening and Philips Zoom take-home whitening trays. The right approach depends on your preference, timeline, and dental condition.
In-office whitening
In-office whitening is carried out at the clinic in a single appointment. A whitening agent is applied directly to the teeth and activated using the Philips Zoom light, while the gums and surrounding tissues are carefully protected throughout the session.
This option is suited to patients who prefer the procedure to be completed in one visit under professional supervision, or who want a shorter overall treatment timeline.
Take-home whitening trays
Take-home whitening uses custom trays made from impressions of your teeth. A whitening gel is placed into the trays and worn at home according to instructions over several days or weeks.
This option allows whitening to happen gradually and at your own pace. The concentration of the whitening agent and wearing schedule are planned during your assessment.
What teeth whitening does not change
Fillings, crowns, and veneers
Whitening agents do not alter the colour of composite fillings, crowns, veneers, or other restorations. If natural teeth become lighter, existing restorations may appear comparatively darker. Replacement of restorations may be discussed separately if shade matching is needed.
Tooth shape, wear, or chips
Whitening does not change the shape of a tooth, rebuild worn enamel, or repair chips or cracks. These concerns require different treatment approaches.
A tooth darkened by trauma or previous treatment
A tooth that has darkened following trauma or root canal treatment may not respond to whitening in the same way as surrounding teeth. This type of discolouration comes from within the tooth structure itself and may require a different approach such as internal bleaching. Normal shade variation between teeth is common and does not necessarily mean whitening is unsuitable. An assessment will determine what is appropriate for each tooth.
Gum position and alignment
Whitening does not change gum levels or tooth position. Variations in gum contour or spacing will remain after whitening.
What to expect during and after teeth whitening
Temporary sensitivity
Some patients notice sensitivity to cold or temperature changes during the whitening period. This is usually temporary and settles after treatment is completed. If sensitivity is a concern, the whitening approach can be adjusted. You can read more about teeth whitening sensitivity on our dedicated page.
For general information about tooth sensitivity unrelated to whitening, see our sensitive teeth page.
Gradual shade change with take-home trays
With take-home trays, shade change happens gradually over the course of treatment rather than immediately. Some teeth may respond at slightly different rates depending on enamel thickness and internal pigmentation.
Long-term maintenance
Whitening does not prevent future colour changes. Food and drink habits, smoking, oral hygiene, and natural ageing all influence how the shade changes over time. Regular scaling and polishing helps maintain tooth cleanliness between whitening treatments.
Teeth whitening at Penn Pacific Dental Center
Dr. Chrissie Lam
Our clinic offers Philips Zoom in-office whitening and custom take-home trays, carried out by Dr. Chrissie Lam. She will recommend an approach based on your dental condition and whitening goals. An assessment is carried out before any whitening begins.
Dr. Chrissie Lam trained at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco and holds an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley. She has been based in Singapore since 2013.
Common questions about teeth whitening in Singapore
How much does teeth whitening cost in Singapore?
At Penn Pacific Dental Center, Philips Zoom in-office whitening is $870 inclusive of GST and take-home whitening trays are $770 inclusive of GST. An assessment is carried out before any whitening begins. If it has been a while since your last clean, a scaling and polishing appointment beforehand is worth considering for more even results. WhatsApp us if you have any questions before booking.
Is teeth whitening suitable for everyone?
Whitening is suitable when the teeth and gums are healthy and when internal colour is contributing to the shade. An assessment is carried out first to check tooth condition, identify any existing restorations, and plan the right approach. If other dental work is needed first, this will be discussed before whitening is planned.
Does whitening change the colour of fillings or crowns?
No. Whitening agents do not alter the colour of fillings, crowns, veneers, or other restorations. If your natural teeth become lighter, existing restorations may appear comparatively darker. This is discussed during your assessment so you know what to expect.
How long do whitening results last?
This varies between individuals. Food and drink habits, smoking, oral hygiene, and natural ageing all influence how tooth colour changes over time. Regular professional cleaning helps maintain the appearance of your teeth between whitening treatments.
Is sensitivity normal during whitening?
Some patients notice temporary sensitivity to cold or temperature during the whitening period. This usually settles after treatment is completed. If sensitivity is a concern, the whitening approach can be adjusted. You can read more on our teeth whitening sensitivity page.
What is Philips Zoom whitening?
Philips Zoom is a professional whitening system used in dental clinics. Penn Pacific Dental Center uses Philips Zoom for both in-office whitening sessions and custom take-home trays. The system is available in different formulations depending on the whitening approach planned during your assessment.
Is Penn Pacific Dental Center near Tanjong Pagar MRT?
Yes. The clinic is at 160 Robinson Road, #05-14 SBF Center, a short walk from Tanjong Pagar MRT (East-West Line). It is also accessible from Shenton Way MRT (Thomson-East Coast Line) and Telok Ayer MRT (Downtown Line).
Book a teeth whitening assessment
Penn Pacific Dental Center is at 160 Robinson Road, near Tanjong Pagar MRT. Book an assessment with Dr. Lam and she will review your teeth, explain what is contributing to the current shade, and discuss which whitening approach fits your dental condition. First-time patients are welcome.
Or call us: +65 6904 8482