Teeth whitening
in Levallois-Perret, near Paris

At-home teeth whitening gradually lightens the natural shade of the teeth using a professional-quality active gel (usually based on low-concentration carbamide peroxide), applied every night in custom-made trays produced by a laboratory from the patient's impressions. Unlike whitening done in the chair in a single session, the at-home approach relies on controlled exposure time rather than concentration: the patient wears the trays for several hours a night over a few weeks, which allows a gradual, deep and lasting action. At Dr Bruno Abehassera's practice in Levallois-Perret, this supervised medical approach is favoured for its safety and for the stability of its results over time.

Teeth whitening relies on a chemical oxidation reaction within the enamel and dentine. The whitening agents (carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide) release oxygen radicals that can penetrate the tooth structure and break down the pigment molecules responsible for the discolouration (chromophores). These pigment molecules then become smaller, and so less visible to the naked eye, which results in a gradual lightening of the shade. It is in no way an abrasive mechanism, nor a polishing of the tooth surface (unlike some mechanical methods such as charcoal, bicarbonate or strips sold without a prescription). The action takes place in depth, within the tooth material itself.

No, when the treatment follows a gentle, gradual medical protocol under the supervision of a dentist. Controlled whitening causes neither wear of the enamel nor loss of tooth structure, unlike abrasive mechanical methods that work by polishing the surface (and end up weakening the enamel in the long term). The oxidising agents used at the practice comply with European standards (concentration regulated by Directive 2011/84/EU) and their chemical action is entirely reversible at a structural level. At Dr Bruno Abehassera's practice in Levallois-Perret, the prior assessment makes sure there are no contraindications (untreated decay, cracks, sensitivity whose cause has not been identified) before the protocol begins.

Several clinical reasons justify this choice. First, safety: the highly concentrated products used in the chair are now strictly regulated by European legislation, and even banned in some contexts because of their potential side effects (marked sensitivity, gum irritation). Second, real effectiveness: the whitening mechanism depends on how long the oxygen radicals act within the tooth material; a single, brief exposure, even at a high concentration, has limited and short-lived effectiveness. Conversely, repeated exposure at a low concentration (every night, over several weeks) allows a deeper, better-controlled action that is considerably more stable over time. Third, comfort: the at-home protocol makes it possible to slow down, pause or adjust the treatment at any time according to the patient's sensitivity, which is not possible with an in-office protocol.

The length of treatment varies according to the initial shade, the type of discolouration (external or internal) and the patient's aesthetic goal. As a guide:

• About 2 weeks in simple situations (mild to moderate discolouration, structurally sound teeth)
• 3 to 6 weeks for more marked or long-standing discolouration
• Several months in complex cases (root-treated teeth, tetracycline staining, old trauma)

At Dr Bruno Abehassera's practice in Levallois-Perret, the exact length of the protocol is estimated at the initial consultation, after a clinical examination and a discussion of the aesthetic goals. Treatment can be paused or extended depending on how the shade changes and on the patient's comfort.

Yes, temporary and reversible sensitivity may appear during treatment, mainly to cold or air. It is usually mild and brief. At the practice, it is anticipated and managed by adjusting the protocol: a low-strength gel, gradual wear during the day before full nights, nights spaced out, and a remineralising paste combining CPP-ACP and fluoride, during and after treatment. Already having sensitive teeth does not rule out whitening: the protocol is simply adapted. At Dr Bruno Abehassera's practice in Levallois-Perret, follow-up is provided throughout the protocol. Sensitivity linked to the gel generally fades within a few days of stopping or spacing out the sessions.

Treatment relies on wearing custom-made trays at night, with the whitening gel spread in a thin layer by the patient just before going to bed. The typical sequence at Dr Bruno Abehassera's practice includes:

1. Initial consultation: clinical examination, photographs, assessment of the reference shade, confirmation of the indication
2. Impressions (digital or conventional) so the laboratory can make the custom-made trays
3. Fitting of the trays and handover of the active gel kit, with a demonstration of how to use them and personalised advice
4. Mid-treatment check-up to assess progress and adjust the frequency or length of wear if necessary
5. Final review once the target shade has been reached, with comparative photographs and recommendations to keep the results stable

The length and frequency of wear are set precisely at the start, then adjusted according to how you feel and how the shade changes. The patient stays in control of the treatment at every step.

There is no strict "white diet" to follow for the whole treatment. The main rule concerns the hour after removing the trays in the morning: during this time, the enamel is more permeable to pigments because of its exposure to the oxidising gel, and it is best to avoid strongly colouring foods (coffee, tea, red wine, red berries, curry, beetroot, dark fizzy drinks). After that hour, you can eat normally again. Smoking is particularly discouraged throughout the protocol, as it encourages stubborn residual stains and can compromise the stability of the final result.

Teeth whitening is often the first step in a comprehensive aesthetic project. Whitening before restorations (layered composite bonding, porcelain veneers) makes it possible to set a lighter, more stable base shade, on which later restorations can be made in a more natural and lasting way. Restorative materials (porcelain, composite) do not lighten once in the mouth: their shade is fixed when they are made. If a veneer or composite is placed on a dark tooth and the neighbouring teeth are whitened afterwards, the result is a colour imbalance that is difficult to correct. At Dr Bruno Abehassera's practice in Levallois-Perret, prior whitening is always discussed at the consultation when veneers or layered composite bonding are being considered, so that the treatment steps follow the best possible order.

Some teeth, particularly after trauma, root canal treatment (carried out some time ago), tetracycline staining or long-standing discolouration, may respond only partially to standard at-home whitening. In these cases, specific protocols can be offered at the practice: internal whitening (the "walking bleach" technique on a root-treated tooth, in which the gel is placed directly inside the pulp chamber), a protocol extended over several months, or a combination of approaches (external + internal whitening). When whitening alone cannot reach the aesthetic goal, alternatives can be considered: layered composite bonding or porcelain veneers. This step-by-step approach follows a rigorous therapeutic gradient, always favouring the most conservative solution before considering more invasive options.

The fee for teeth whitening varies according to several clinical factors: the initial shade of the teeth, the number of arches to be treated (one or both), whether the discolouration is external or internal, and the length of protocol needed to reach a stable result. At Dr Bruno Abehassera's practice in Levallois-Perret, each treatment is given a personalised quote at the consultation, after a full analysis of the smile and a discussion of the aesthetic project with the patient. As whitening is a cosmetic procedure not covered by French national health insurance, nor by most top-up insurance plans, the cost reflects the use of professional-quality active gels, custom-made trays produced by a laboratory, and clinical follow-up throughout treatment. The fee shown above is indicative: the exact amount is confirmed in a personalised quote after a clinical examination, and no commitment is asked of you at the initial consultation.

Whitening carried out by the practice follows a supervised medical approach: a prior clinical examination, an active gel at a suitable concentration (regulated by European Directive 2011/84/EU), custom-made trays produced by a laboratory from the patient's impressions, and clinical follow-up throughout the protocol. Kits sold in pharmacies, supermarkets or online rely on gels with a very low concentration (a legal limit of 0.1% hydrogen peroxide for over-the-counter sale) and standard trays that are not adapted to each person's mouth, which limits both their effectiveness and their comfort. Some abrasive products (charcoal, high-dose bicarbonate) work by polishing the surface rather than genuinely lightening the underlying shade, and can weaken the enamel over time. At Dr Bruno Abehassera's practice in Levallois-Perret, the protocol aims for a lasting lightening of the tooth's intrinsic shade, under medical supervision from start to finish.