The quick version. Choose laser whitening if your teeth are straight and undamaged but have gone yellow, at €180 for an in-clinic session. Choose composite bonding if you want to change the shape of your teeth, close a gap or repair a chip, at €150 to €200 per tooth. Having both is common, and the order matters: whitening first, bonding afterwards.
These are the two treatments our Dublin patients ask about most, and they get confused with each other constantly. One changes colour. The other changes shape. Here is how to work out which one you actually need.
Teeth pick up stain from coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco and strongly coloured food. It happens slowly, which is why most people notice it in a photograph rather than in the mirror. Professional whitening, sometimes called in-chair or power whitening, lifts that staining and brings the enamel back towards its natural shade.
The whole thing takes about an hour at our Dublin 7 clinic. A protective barrier goes on the gums, professional grade whitening gel is applied to the teeth, and a light activates it. You sit back. That is essentially it.
One point worth knowing. Under EU rules, whitening products containing more than 0.1% hydrogen peroxide can only be supplied through a dentist, and the first application has to be carried out by a dental professional. It is why shop bought kits are so much weaker than their packaging suggests, and why the results from them tend to disappoint.
Whitening works best when the teeth themselves are in good shape: straight enough, no chips, no gaps, no old discoloured fillings across the front. If that describes you, it is the fastest and cheapest way to change how your smile looks. There is more on the causes of discolouration on our yellow teeth page.
Bonding changes the shape, length and surface of a tooth. Tooth coloured resin is applied directly to the enamel and sculpted by hand, then set with a curing light and polished. There is a real artistic element to it, and the result depends heavily on the dentist doing the sculpting.
Most cases need no drilling and no injection, and the whole smile is often done in one appointment. Because no enamel is removed, the treatment can be reversed later if you change your mind. Finished cases are in our smile gallery.
Bonding is for people who want structural changes without the enamel removal and cost of porcelain veneers. If you are nervous about dental treatment, it is also one of the gentlest cosmetic options available, as one of our patients describes in her case study.
| Feature | Laser teeth whitening | Composite bonding |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Brightens the natural tooth shade | Reshapes teeth, covers chips, gaps and deep stains |
| Time needed | About 1 hour, single visit | 1 to 2 hours, usually a single visit |
| Comfort | No injection needed, short lived sensitivity is common | No injection needed in most cases |
| How long it lasts | 1 to 3 years, depending on diet and habits | 5 to 7 years with good care |
| Reversible | Shade fades naturally over time | Yes, no enamel is removed |
| Typical cost | €180 in-clinic, €200 home kit | €150 to €200 per tooth |
| Tax relief | Not eligible | Depends on the clinical reason |
Plenty of patients have both, and it usually gives the best result. There is one rule that cannot be broken.
Whiten first, bond second. Composite resin does not respond to whitening gel. Bond first and you lock in your current shade, because the natural teeth around the bonding will lighten later while the resin stays where it is. Whiten first and the dentist can colour match the resin to your new, brighter shade.
We normally leave around two weeks between the two appointments. The shade settles during that period, and the resin bonds more reliably to enamel that has had time to recover after whitening.
Laser whitening is €180 for an in-clinic session at our Dublin 7 practice. There is also a professional home kit at €200, which works more gradually over a couple of weeks and suits people who would rather do it in their own time.
Composite bonding is €150 to €200 per tooth. Edge repairs sit at the lower end, full composite veneers at the upper end. A six tooth case comes to €900 to €1,200, and eight teeth to €1,200 to €1,600. Our full breakdown is in the composite bonding cost guide.
Whitening is cosmetic and does not qualify for tax relief. Whether bonding does depends on the clinical reason behind it, so ask us at the consultation rather than assuming either way. All current fees are on the price list.
DentiCare is an official Humm partner clinic, so a full bonding case can be spread across monthly instalments. No hidden fees, and you can repay early without a penalty. Details are on the Humm finance page.
Carried out by a dentist at the correct concentration and with the gums protected, whitening does not thin or weaken enamel. Some people get sensitivity for a day or two afterwards, which settles on its own and can be managed with a desensitising toothpaste.
It can, in the same way natural teeth do. Heavy coffee drinking and smoking are the main culprits. A regular scale and polish keeps bonded teeth looking close to how they started.
No. It works well on surface and age related staining. Internal discolouration from an old root treatment, trauma or tetracycline responds poorly, and bonding or veneers are usually the better answer there.
Around two weeks. The shade needs time to stabilise, and freshly whitened enamel bonds less reliably in the first few days.
Book a consultation. We look at the condition of your enamel, your bite and your existing fillings, ask what bothers you about your smile, and give you an honest recommendation. Sometimes that recommendation is whitening alone, which is the cheaper option.
If you are not sure which route suits you, that is exactly what a consultation is for. It is free if you are a PRSI contributor, and €50 if not. Get in touch with DentiCare in Phibsborough, Dublin 7, or read more about what to expect from a free dental consultation first.
