Natural-tooth colour · Suitability first
Professional teeth whitening in Downtown Calgary
Whitening may change the colour of natural teeth, but it does not change the colour of fillings, crowns, veneers, or dentures. Start with an assessment of your oral health, existing dental work, sensitivity, goals, realistic limits, current professional options, and expected fees.
- Your dentist
- Dr. Michael Wu, General Dentist
- Hours
- Open from 7 AM on weekdays
- Insurance
- Direct billing, most plans
- Fees
- Explained before treatment begins
Pain, swelling, injury, something broken, or a lost filling or crown?
For current pain, swelling, injury, or worsening symptoms: Call (403) 313-3000 during clinic hours for current urgent availability. Do not wait for a cosmetic appointment request.
Start with the colour change you want to discuss
You may want to discuss a general change in natural-tooth colour, a difference between teeth, surface stain, colour that has changed over time, or a mismatch between natural teeth and existing dental work. These situations do not all have the same cause or the same treatment path.
An assessment may support professional whitening, cleaning or other care first, a restorative discussion, monitoring, referral, or no treatment. A requested cosmetic change does not automatically require treatment.
The assessment separates natural-tooth colour from other concerns
Dr. Wu reviews the colour change you want to discuss, relevant health and dental history, current sensitivity, teeth, gums, and existing dental work. Records may be recommended when they are clinically useful. The goal is to understand the starting point and which options are reasonable.
- Oral healthThe Canadian Dental Association advises that bleaching is not appropriate for teeth with decay or demineralisation. Other tooth or gum concerns may need attention before an elective whitening decision.
- Pattern and possible causeNatural ageing, foods and drinks, tobacco, tooth development, medication history, trauma, root canal treatment, and existing restorations can affect tooth colour. Different causes may respond differently or require another approach.
- Existing restorationsFillings, crowns, veneers, and dentures do not whiten with bleaching. Lightening natural teeth can make a colour difference between the teeth and existing dental work more noticeable.
- Sensitivity and expectationsTell the team about current or previous sensitivity and the change you hope to see. No exact shade, evenness, speed, or duration of a result can be selected from the website.
Source: Canadian Dental Association, Teeth Whitening; Canadian Dental Association, Tooth Bleaching and Whitening
Confirm the option, instructions, and limits
The steps below are general. The clinic confirms the current professional option after assessment.
Review the starting point and goal
Ask what may be contributing to the colour, which teeth are being considered, which restorations may remain unchanged, and what a realistic limit may be.
Address oral-health concerns first
Decay, demineralisation, gum concerns, unexplained colour change, or active sensitivity may change the sequence or point to another assessment.
Confirm the current professional option
Ask which option the clinic currently offers, who oversees it, what instructions apply, what is included in the estimate, and which findings could change the plan.
Follow the individual instructions
Use the approved product only as directed. Contact the clinic if sensitivity or soft-tissue irritation persists, worsens, or another concerning effect occurs.
Review maintenance before repeating treatment
Whitening effects can change over time. Ask for reassessment before repeating treatment rather than assuming that one interval or method applies to everyone.
Source: Canadian Dental Association, Teeth Whitening; Canadian Dental Association, Tooth Bleaching and Whitening
A lighter natural tooth does not resolve every colour concern
The findings decide which of these applies.
Restorations keep their existing colour
Fillings, crowns, veneers, and dentures may become more noticeable if the natural teeth around them lighten.
Some discolouration responds unevenly or incompletely
The cause, location, depth, and pattern of the colour can affect the response. A particular shade or uniform result is not promised.
Surface stain and internal colour are different concerns
Some surface stain may be addressed through cleaning or other surface care. Colour within the tooth may require a different discussion.
Another option or no treatment may be reasonable
Depending on the findings and goal, the discussion may include whitening, restorative care, a veneer consultation, monitoring, referral, or choosing not to proceed.
Plan for sensitivity and for colour to change over time
Tooth sensitivity and soft-tissue irritation can occur with bleaching. The whitening effect is not permanent, and colour can be affected over time by the original cause, smoking, and foods or drinks that stain teeth. Individual needs and responses vary.
- Know when to pause and callFollow the instructions supplied with the professional option. Stop using the product and contact the clinic if sensitivity or soft-tissue irritation persists, grows worse, or another concerning effect occurs.
- Maintain oral health separately from tooth colourContinue the brushing, cleaning-between-teeth, examination, and hygiene plan recommended for your oral health. Whitening does not replace preventive or restorative care.
- Reassess before repeating whiteningAsk the clinic to review current oral health, restorations, sensitivity, and goals before another course.
Source: Canadian Dental Association, Teeth Whitening; Canadian Dental Association, Tooth Bleaching and Whitening
Is the goal beyond natural-tooth colour?
Porcelain Veneers covers the assessment when the appearance goal involves shape, surface, or spacing that whitening may not change.
Porcelain VeneersAsk which professional option and fees are current.
Fees depend on the examination findings, the professional option offered, the care recommended, and the treatment you choose. Assessment, records, treatment of another oral-health concern, the approved whitening option, supervision, follow-up, and any restorative or referred care may affect the estimate. Ask the clinic for an estimate before treatment.
We can help submit eligible claims or estimates. Your plan determines whether any part of the care is covered, which limits or exclusions apply, and whether the insurer pays the clinic directly. You are responsible for any amount not paid by your plan.
Confirm the professional option after assessment.
Dr. Michael Wu is a general dentist. He begins with an assessment and explains the findings, reasonable options, relevant limits, and next steps. If your case requires care outside the clinic's scope, the team will explain the referral.
About Dr. Michael WuPatients
I had a great experience! Everyone was kind, professional, and made me feel comfortable from start to finish. The clinic is very clean and modern, and I was impressed by the up-to-date technology they use—it really made the process more efficient and comfortable. I truly appreciate the care and attention I received. Highly recommend!
Honeylene Insular Amazing experience at Dental at the Bow! The staff is incredibly friendly and goes above and beyond to make sure you feel comfortable throughout the entire process. They are professional, caring, and always take the time to ensure a positive experience. Highly recommended!
ana suarez Absolutely phenomenal dental office! Everyone is so friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable about their work. I’ve been to many dental offices that care very little about their patients, but Dental at the Bow is certainly not one of them. Very glad I decided to start coming here.
Evan Poulson
Commonly Asked Questions
If your question is not answered here, call the clinic and the team will answer it.
Will whitening change the colour of my fillings, crowns, or veneers?
No. Bleaching changes natural-tooth colour, not restorative materials. Existing dental work may look darker beside natural teeth that have lightened. Include that difference in the assessment and treatment sequence.
Can every type of tooth discolouration be whitened?
No. The cause, location, depth, and pattern of the colour affect the response. An examination helps identify whether professional whitening, another treatment, monitoring, or no treatment is reasonable.
Does whitening cause sensitivity?
Tooth sensitivity and irritation of the gums or other soft tissues can occur. Follow the instructions for the approved option.
Stop and contact the clinic if either effect persists, worsens, or another concerning effect occurs.
Which whitening system does Dental at the Bow use?
Ask about the professional options and fees currently offered.
How white will my teeth become?
No shade or result is promised. The starting colour, cause and pattern of discolouration, natural teeth, existing dental work, option used, and individual response can affect the change.
How long will whitening last?
The whitening effect is not permanent. The original cause of the colour, smoking, foods and drinks, oral care, and individual response can affect change over time.
Start with natural-tooth colour and realistic limits.
Request a whitening assessment to review your goals, oral health, natural teeth, existing restorations, sensitivity, current professional options, maintenance, and expected fees. The clinic will contact you to confirm availability. For current pain, swelling, injury, or worsening symptoms, call (403) 313-3000 during clinic hours for current urgent availability.
