Laser Whitening in Christchurch
Most people don’t come to me simply because they want whiter teeth.
They come because they want to feel more confident when they smile — in photographs, at an important event, or just in everyday life.
One appointment. Sixty quiet minutes. A brighter smile, professionally whitened and still completely yours.
Because confidence starts with your smile.
What happens in your hour?
You arrive at my private, home-based Christchurch studio — a dedicated professional treatment space where appointments are one-to-one, calm and personal.
Before your appointment, you’ll receive my video consultation so you know what to expect. When you arrive, we’ll talk through your teeth, what’s caused the staining, what you’d like to achieve and, importantly, what’s realistic for you.
Then it’s time to settle in. Your gums are carefully protected, the whitening gel is applied and your cheek retractor is fitted before the whitening light is positioned. From there, there’s nothing for you to do but relax — most clients watch Netflix and enjoy the quiet while I check on you throughout your treatment.
I take a shade reading before we begin and again when we’re finished, so we can actually measure your result rather than relying on photographs or lighting.
It’s straightforward, comfortable and surprisingly relaxing — which is exactly how I think an hour spent doing something for yourself should feel.
Is it actually a laser?
Not technically — despite the name we all know it by.
“Laser whitening” has become the familiar term for professional, in-chair light-activated teeth whitening. But most systems used today, including mine, aren’t actually lasers.
I use the BEYOND Polus Advanced, which combines halogen light, LED and ultrasonic technology.
After more than 20 years working with different whitening systems and technologies, I’m very particular about the equipment I use — and I’ll explain exactly why I’ve chosen this one below.
I could simply call it “laser whitening” and leave it there. But I think if you’re trusting me with your smile and spending your money with me, you deserve to know exactly what you’re getting.
The name matters far less than the results it can deliver.
Why this machine?
I’ve worked with a great many whitening systems over more than twenty years — LED, halogen, and combinations of both. So this was a considered choice, rather than simply whatever the rep was selling.
In my experience, the halogen does the heavy lifting.
If I had to choose between halogen alone and LED with ultrasonic, I’d choose the halogen every time. I’ve simply seen better whitening results from it.
Most newer units are LED-only — they’re cheaper and run cooler. I understand why manufacturers have gone that way. I just haven’t personally seen LED match the results I’ve achieved with halogen.
The ultrasonic I’m more sceptical about. It’s part of this system and I’ve no reason to think it does any harm, but in my experience it isn’t what makes the difference. I suspect a fair amount of its prominence is marketing rather than results.
I’d rather tell you that than sell you a feature list.
One thing I do rate is the filtration system. It’s designed to filter out harmful UV and heat from the halogen light before it reaches you, helping make the treatment much more comfortable.
I also use the single-patient unit rather than one of the newer systems designed to treat two people at once. I prefer to focus on one person, one appointment, and doing the job properly.
What will it cost?
No consultation fee, no hidden extras, and no “from” price that grows at the counter.
If you’d like to keep whitening and maintain your result at home, custom-made whitening trays are $285 on their own, or $170 when added to your laser appointment — $430 for both.
For context, clients often tell me they’ve been quoted upwards of $700 for comparable whitening at a dental practice.
What difference will I actually see?
Most of my clients see around 10–14 shades of improvement, measured before and after with a shade guide.
But teeth are individual, and so are results. Your starting shade, natural tooth colour and the type of staining all play a part. If your teeth are already particularly white, I’ll tell you before we begin — I’d rather set a realistic expectation than promise something your teeth can’t deliver.
One appointment can make a significant difference, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. If you love your result but simply want to go whiter, you can build on it with a follow-up treatment or custom whitening trays at home.
Follow-up whitening for returning clients is $140 when booked within three months, with other returning-client offers available after that.
And if you ever leave genuinely unhappy with your result, please tell me. I’d always rather have the opportunity to take another look, talk through your result with you and make sure you’re happy than have you walk away disappointed.
“Had my teeth whitening today and I can not believe the results an amazing 7 shades lighter, I am totally amazed at the difference and it makes me so much better in myself and the confidence to smile I am beaming thank you so much Terri.”
Will it hurt?
For most people, no. There’s nothing sharp, no drilling and nothing to brace yourself for.
Based on my own clients, the majority report no sensitivity afterwards. Some experience mild, temporary sensitivity, and a smaller number experience a little more. When it does happen, it’s temporary and usually settles within a day.
If you already know your teeth are sensitive, use Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief for a week or two beforehand and let me know before we start. There are plenty of things I can do to make your treatment more comfortable.
How long will it last?
Whitening isn’t permanent — and I’d be wary of anyone who tells you otherwise.
Teeth are porous. Over time, your teeth naturally pick up staining again from things like coffee, tea, red wine and everyday life. How quickly that happens varies enormously from person to person — some people’s teeth are more porous and dull at a faster rate, others are less porous so the results last a lot longer. It takes a long time to return to where you began, but they will gradually start to dull after a few months.
I’ve had clients walk back in two or three years later whose teeth still look fantastic.
If you’d like to maintain your result, custom whitening trays make it easy to top up at home when you feel you need it. And if trays aren’t for you, returning clients are always welcome back for another in-clinic treatment — $140 when booked within three months, with other returning-client offers available after that.
Could I do this at home instead?
Yes — but what you use makes an enormous difference.
Most off-the-shelf whitening kits use much weaker products, and in my experience the small LED lights included with many of them add very little. That’s why so many people try a home kit, see barely any change and assume their teeth simply don’t whiten well.
Often, that’s not the problem at all. They just haven’t been using a product capable of giving them the result they were hoping for.
Professional whitening at home is a different story.
Custom whitening trays are made specifically for your teeth and used with professional whitening gel, so the product sits evenly and exactly where it needs to.
They work extremely well — whether you use them on their own or to take your in-clinic result even further and maintain it over time.
Is there anyone this isn’t for?
Yes — and I’d rather tell you than take your money.
If you have untreated decay, gum disease, a cracked tooth or dental pain you haven’t had checked, please see your dentist before booking whitening.
Crowns, veneers and white fillings are a little different. They won’t change colour when your natural teeth whiten, so if you have any across your front teeth, it’s important we talk about them before you book. It doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t whiten — but the order you do things in can make an enormous difference to the final result.
Not sure? Send me a photo on 021 630 907 and I’ll happily take a look and tell you honestly what I’d recommend.
Why The White Smile Company?
Teeth whitening isn’t one of many things I do.
It’s what I’ve specialised in for more than 20 years.
Over that time I’ve worked with countless products, gels and whitening systems, learning what makes a real difference — and what doesn’t.
But experience also means knowing when whitening isn’t the answer. I’ll always give you the most honest advice I can, even when that means suggesting something I don’t offer or pointing you towards your dentist or another professional instead.
And if you’re unsure about something involving your teeth, ask me. I genuinely enjoy helping people understand their options. Whether it’s explaining what questions to ask your dentist, helping you make sense of previous dental work, or simply talking through what might give you the best result, I’ll share whatever knowledge I can.
I want you to leave The White Smile Company feeling looked after — not simply whitened.
That’s how I’ve built this business: honest advice, genuine care and doing everything I reasonably can to help people feel confident about their smile.
“I was stunned with the outcome, the results are above and beyond my expectation, this has been a real boost for my confidence!”
“She thoroughly explains everything and sets realistic expectations for the results. I achieved teeth that are 11 shades whiter and am very happy with the outcome.”
“Terri makes you feel comfortable and at ease. It’s like visiting a friend and coming away with the bonus of much whiter teeth which last.”
Private, dedicated treatment studio located at my home.
Appointments generally Tuesday–Saturday · By appointment only
Need another day? Just ask — I’ll always do my best to accommodate you.
Questions? Call or text 021 630 907