Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening Vietnam from GBP 101 | Picasso Dental Clinic
Professional teeth whitening at Picasso Dental Clinic Vietnam - Zoom!, Pola Office, and Beyond comparison, GBP prices, and honest guide to when whitening is and is not worth flying for.
Professional in-chair whitening at Picasso Dental Clinic costs GBP 101 for a single jaw with Pola or Beyond, or GBP 174 for full-mouth Zoom! - compared with GBP 194–GBP 435 at UK private clinics - but is rarely worth a standalone flight from the UK and is most valuable when combined with veneers or a smile makeover on the same visit.
Professional teeth whitening at Picasso Dental Clinic starts at GBP 101 for in-chair whitening on one jaw and reaches GBP 203 for the full combo package including home trays. UK private clinics typically charge GBP 194–GBP 435 or more for in-chair whitening. The treatment uses professional-grade hydrogen peroxide gel with light or laser activation to lift extrinsic stain and lighten natural tooth colour.
This page covers the three systems Picasso uses (Zoom!, Pola, and Beyond), all GBP prices, when whitening makes sense for UK patients, what results are realistically achievable, and when whitening is not the right solution.
System comparison — Zoom! vs Pola vs Beyond
| System | Type | Picasso GBP | Jaw coverage | Typical shade change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pola Office (Australia) | In-chair laser | GBP 101 | One jaw | 4–8 shades lighter |
| Beyond (professional) | In-chair laser | GBP 101 | One jaw | 4–8 shades lighter |
| Zoom! full mouth | In-chair light-activated | GBP 174 | Both jaws | 5–10 shades lighter |
| At-home kit (Zoom!/Opalescence) | Take-home tray | GBP 58 | Both jaws | 2–5 shades lighter (over 10–14 days) |
| Customised whitening tray | Take-home tray | GBP 14 per tray | One jaw | Used with own gel |
| Zoom! gel syringe (top-up) | Top-up gel | GBP 14 | — | Maintenance |
| Internal bleaching (per tooth) | Single dead tooth | GBP 58 | Per tooth | Lightens discoloured dead teeth |
| Combo whitening package | In-chair + trays | GBP 203 | Both jaws | Best total result |
Prices correct as at May 2026.
Zoom! is the most recognised brand for UK patients who have seen it advertised. Pola Office and Beyond are equivalent professional systems at Picasso and produce comparable results at the same price per jaw. There is no clinical reason to pay more for Zoom! if Pola or Beyond is used correctly.
How UK whitening prices compare
| UK whitening type | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| In-chair whitening (1 session) | GBP 194 – GBP 435 |
| Take-home kit prescribed by dentist | GBP 97 – GBP 194 |
| High-street whitening strips (cosmetic grade) | GBP 20 – GBP 60 |
UK dentist-prescribed in-chair whitening uses the same professional peroxide concentrations as Picasso — the key difference is price. High-street strips sold in the UK contain a maximum 0.1% hydrogen peroxide under UK law (versus 6–25% used by dentists). They produce lighter results and take longer.
When whitening makes sense for UK visitors
| Scenario | Whitening value |
|---|---|
| Before Emax veneer placement on the same trip | High — sets the natural tooth baseline shade that veneers are matched to |
| As part of a smile makeover plan | High — lifts natural teeth to match planned veneers |
| Standalone trip from the UK | Low — flight cost dominates; not cost-effective |
| Before a family event or wedding (already visiting Vietnam) | Moderate — adds value to a combined trip |
| Top-up maintenance (UK dentist can prescribe) | Better done in the UK for convenience |
Whitening before veneers is the most clinically important use case for UK dental tourists. Veneers placed without whitening first may not match the patient’s natural teeth if the patient later whitens.
What whitening cannot fix
| Stain or condition | Whitening result | Better solution |
|---|---|---|
| Extrinsic stain (coffee, tea, wine, tobacco) | Effective | Whitening works well |
| Tetracycline antibiotic staining | Limited — deep grey banding does not respond | Veneers or crowns |
| Fluorosis (white or brown patches) | Variable — may worsen patchy appearance | ICON resin infiltration or veneers |
| Single dark dead tooth | In-chair will not reach this tooth | Internal bleaching (GBP 58) |
| Old composite or porcelain restorations | No effect — ceramics and composites do not whiten | Replace restorations after whitening |
| Healthy teeth with naturally dark shade | Moderate lift possible, not unlimited | Veneers if shade target is very white |
The whitening procedure at Picasso
In-chair session (Zoom! or Pola/Beyond):
- Pre-treatment photographs taken
- Gum tissue protected with liquid rubber dam or barrier gel
- Whitening gel applied to tooth surfaces
- Light or laser activation — typically 3–4 cycles of 15 minutes
- Gel removed and teeth rinsed
- Shade compared to pre-treatment baseline
- Post-treatment sensitivity gel applied if needed
- Take-home trays prepared if combo package selected
At-home kit:
- Custom trays fabricated from impressions
- Gel syringes dispensed with concentration matched to starting shade
- Wear instructions: typically 30–60 minutes per day for 10–14 days
- Review photographs sent via coordinator after completion
Sensitivity management
Post-whitening sensitivity affects around 50–70% of patients and is usually:
- Mild to moderate cold sensitivity
- Resolves within 24–48 hours
- Managed with desensitising toothpaste (Sensodyne or similar)
If you have existing recession, cracks, or dentinal exposure, sensitivity is likely to be higher. Disclose these to the treating dentist before treatment starts. Whitening is deferred if active decay or cracked teeth are found on examination.
Whitening and the shade timeline
For smile makeover patients, the correct sequence is:
- Whitening first
- Wait 2 weeks for shade to stabilise
- Select veneer shade on settled, whitened natural teeth
- Prepare and fit veneers
At Picasso, this is managed within the same trip when possible. The 2-week wait can overlap with lab fabrication time for veneers. Your coordinator will confirm the sequencing in your trip plan.
Maintenance after whitening
Result longevity depends on lifestyle:
| Factor | Impact on result |
|---|---|
| Coffee / tea / red wine | Staining resumes — reduce frequency or use a straw |
| Smoking | Accelerates yellowing significantly |
| Regular professional hygiene | Removes surface stain before it sets |
| Top-up gel at home | Extends result by 6–12 months |
A clean and polish before whitening removes calculus and surface stain, allowing the whitening gel to contact enamel evenly. This is included in combo treatment plans; it can be added to standalone whitening for GBP 9–GBP 17.
Who should not whiten before seeking dental review
- Anyone with untreated decay — whitening gel can penetrate a cavity and cause pain
- Patients with active gum disease — inflamed gum tissue increases sensitivity and gel can irritate the gum margin
- Patients pregnant or breastfeeding — whitening is an elective procedure; deferral is advised
- Patients with known allergy to peroxide products
Picasso examines the mouth before any whitening procedure. If examination reveals a reason to defer, the patient is told before any gel is applied.
Next step
If whitening is the only treatment you need, a UK dental practice or a local high-street whitening provider is likely more cost-effective for you than flying to Vietnam. If whitening is part of a veneers or smile makeover plan, include it in your Free GBP quote and the team will sequence it correctly within your trip.
Related pages
- Smile makeover — whitening as part of a full plan
- Veneers — porcelain shade choices and whitening sequencing
- Aftercare / veneer care tips
- Dental checkup and cleaning — hygiene foundation before whitening