Answers at a Glance
What is teeth whitening, and and who is it right for?
Teeth whitening is a treatment that brightens teeth by applying a hydrogen peroxide-based agent to the tooth surface to break down pigments inside the tooth. There is professional whitening, performed at the clinic with a high-concentration agent and light, and at-home whitening, done with a low-concentration agent in a custom-made tray. Combining the two makes the effect last longer. At The Barunface, stains are removed with scaling before whitening and the gums are protected before the procedure begins. For discoloration that whitening cannot brighten, we guide you toward laminates.
- Doctor in Charge
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Diagnosis
- Large FOV CBCT (3D CT) · Panoramic X-ray
- Anesthesia
- Local anesthesia · Conscious sedation · General anesthesia facilities
Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee Medically reviewed ·
Request a Consultation Consultation Prep Card11 Frequently Asked Questions
- Duration
- Professional whitening, about 1 hour per session
- Sessions
- 1–3 sessions (depending on shade)
- At-home whitening
- 2–4 hours a day, for 2 weeks
- Duration of results
- 1–3 years (depending on habits)
- Sensitivity
- Temporary, 1–2 days
- Insurance
- Non-covered (not covered by national health insurance)
This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed
Recommended for You If
- For those whose teeth look yellowish or dark overall
- Those with an important event coming up, such as a wedding or job interview
- For those who need to match the color of neighboring teeth before getting laminates
- For those whose teeth have darkened from coffee, wine, or smoking
How is professional whitening done?
The procedure takes about 1 hour and proceeds in this order: ① checkup and scaling, ② gum protectant application, ③ whitening agent application, ④ light activation. It is repeated 1–3 times depending on your tooth shade.
How long do the results last?
Results last about 1–3 years depending on eating habits and smoking, and teeth gradually return to their original shade. Occasional touch-ups with an at-home whitening tray can help results last longer. Touch-up guidelines are provided during consultation based on your progress.
Are there teeth that can't be whitened?
Tetracycline staining, root-canal-treated teeth, and resin, crown, and laminate restorations do not get lighter with whitening. In such cases, we discuss replacing the restoration or laminates.
What should I be careful about after whitening?
For 48 hours after the procedure, avoid darkly colored foods (coffee, kimchi, wine, curry) and smoking. If you feel sensitivity, using toothpaste for sensitive teeth can help.
When Dr. Lee Recommends Treatment
Whether to recommend teeth whitening is decided by diagnosis, not by photos or trends. Below are the criteria the doctor actually uses in consultations, recorded in the doctor's own words.
Rather than operating on more patients, I wanted to listen fully to each person's story, think it through myself, and stay with them responsibly from surgery through recovery.
I try to be straightforward and plain: I explain why something can be done and why something cannot.
Tests and Preparation Before Your Consultation
The scope of treatment is decided by examination results. At your first visit, we review the items below, then explain which treatments are needed and which are not.
| Test | What We Look At |
|---|---|
| Panoramic X-ray · 3D CT | We check the tooth roots, jawbone, nerve canal, and surrounding structures. |
| Oral Examination | We directly examine your gum condition, tooth wear, and bite. |
| Medical History Review | We ask about any medications you take (blood thinners, osteoporosis medication, etc.) and any systemic conditions. |
What to Bring
- X-rays and CT scans from your previous dentist (if available)
- Names of medications you are taking — especially blood thinners, osteoporosis medication, and diabetes medication
- Systemic conditions · pregnancy status
- A note of the areas that bother you and when it started
How Your Care Proceeds
- 01
Checkup · Scaling
Checking for cavities and gum condition, removing stains
- 02
Gum protection
Gum protectant application
- 03
Medication · Light
Whitening agent applied, then light activation, 1–3 sessions
- 04
Maintenance
Touch-ups with an at-home whitening tray; touch-up criteria are explained during consultation
Teeth whitening schedule and recovery at a glance
Basic information on treatment time, anesthesia, and recovery is summarized in the table. The actual schedule may vary depending on your diagnosis and individual condition, and will be explained again at your first visit.
| Item | Notice |
|---|---|
| Duration | Professional whitening, about 1 hour per session |
| Sessions | 1–3 sessions (depending on shade) |
| At-home whitening | 2–4 hours a day, for 2 weeks |
| Duration of results | 1–3 years (depending on habits) |
| Sensitivity | Temporary, 1–2 days |
| Insurance | Non-covered (not covered by national health insurance) |
During and after whitening, temporary sensitivity or gum irritation may occur, and results and duration vary from person to person. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have severe sensitivity, or are minors may postpone the procedure. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, altered sensation, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
The director who conducts your consultation oversees your teeth whitening from start to finish
At The Barunface, consultation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up are all handled by one person: Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon. We do not hand off stages to staff or other doctors.
Because the doctor who performs your treatment remembers the concerns you shared and the diagnosis from your first consultation, you can return directly to the doctor who first diagnosed you if any discomfort arises after treatment.
We tell you in advance, as fully as we can, what the process will involve, and we try to be with you as much as possible at the points where you are likely to find it most difficult.
Treatment Standards and Basis
- Doctor in Charge
- Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
- Diagnosis
- Large FOV CBCT (3D CT) · Panoramic X-ray
- Anesthesia
- Local anesthesia · Conscious sedation · General anesthesia facilities
Teeth Whitening FAQ 11 questions
01How much does teeth whitening cost in Busan?
Based on The Barunface's non-covered fee schedule, professional whitening (per session, per arch) is KRW 150,000, at-home whitening is KRW 200,000, and a whitening injection is KRW 30,000 (VAT not included). Whitening is not covered by insurance. Per the fee schedule, professional whitening is KRW 150,000 per session per arch and at-home whitening is KRW 200,000; touch-up guidelines are provided during consultation. The cost of scaling before whitening is separate. The exact total will be provided in writing after diagnosis.
02What are the side effects of teeth whitening?
During and after whitening, temporary sensitivity or gum irritation may occur, and results and duration vary from person to person. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have severe sensitivity, or are minors may postpone the procedure. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, altered sensation, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
03What about anesthesia and time for teeth whitening?
Professional whitening takes about 1 hour per session. At The Barunface, Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon, treats patients personally.
04Does whitening hurt?
Sensitivity may occur for 1–2 days during and after the procedure, and it mostly subsides.
05How many sessions do I need?
1–3 sessions depending on your tooth shade. Teeth often lighten by 2–3 shades in a single session.
06Which is better: at-home whitening or professional whitening?
For faster brightening, professional whitening is recommended; for longer-lasting results, combining it with at-home whitening is advisable.
07Do teeth become weaker after whitening?
When done at the set concentration and duration, there is no damage to the teeth.
08Is whitening done before laminates?
When neighboring teeth are whitened to match the shade of laminates, we whiten first and choose the laminate shade 2 weeks later.
09What about the cost?
Professional whitening is KRW 150,000 per session per arch; at-home whitening is KRW 200,000.
10Is it possible during pregnancy?
Safety has not been established, so it is postponed until after childbirth.
11What if only one tooth is dark?
We consult on internal whitening for non-vital (root canal–treated) teeth, as well as laminates and crowns.
Costs and what to know before your visit
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Professional whitening (per session, per arch) | 1510,000 KRW |
| At-home whitening | 2010,000 KRW |
| Whitening injection | 310,000 KRW · VAT not included |
Based on the non-covered fee schedule published by the director. The total cost varies depending on the extent of surgery, anesthesia, hospital stay, and tests. The exact cost will be provided after diagnosis.
Costs · Insurance
Whitening is not covered by insurance. Based on the fee schedule, professional whitening is KRW 150,000 per session per arch, and at-home whitening is KRW 200,000; touch-up criteria are explained during your consultation. Scaling before whitening is charged separately. View non-covered fee schedule
Side effects · Precautions
During and after whitening, temporary sensitivity or gum irritation may occur, and results and duration vary from person to person. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have severe sensitivity, or are minors may postpone the procedure. All surgeries and procedures may involve side effects such as bleeding, swelling, bruising, altered sensation, infection, asymmetry, and the possibility of revision surgery, and results and recovery speed vary by individual. Please be sure to tell us about any systemic conditions, medications you are taking, and pregnancy status during your consultation.
This information complies with the Medical Service Act and medical advertising review standards, and treatment results and recovery may vary from person to person. Please make your decision only after consulting with a specialist.
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This content was reviewed by board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Sang-Hoon Lee, Directorfor medical accuracy · Last reviewed