Which Whitening System Is Best for Your Canadian Dental or Hygiene Clinic?

As clinics prepare for 2026, it is important to ensure that high-demand cosmetic services are both clinically effective and operationally efficient. In-office teeth whitening continues to be one of the most requested elective treatments, offering patients a noticeable confidence boost while supporting anterior case acceptance and overall treatment satisfaction.

With a wide range of whitening brands available across the North American market, choosing the right professional whitening supplier requires more than brand recognition alone. Clinics must consider formulation, workflow, regulatory alignment, and long-term results.

In this article, we compare a well-established industry brand, Opalescence™, with a newer Canadian-based supplier, Fern Whitening Supplies™, to help clinics determine which professional whitening gel is best suited for use in  Canada.

Background on Opalescence Teeth Whitening Gel

Opalescence is a professional teeth whitening brand developed by Ultradent Products, Inc., a dental manufacturing company based in the United States.

Ultradent was founded in 1978 by Dr. Dan Fischer, a dentist and inventor, with a focus on developing dental materials for professional use. Over time, the company expanded its product offerings to include restorative materials, endodontic solutions, preventive products, and professional whitening systems.

Opalescence whitening gel was introduced in the 1990s and gained widespread adoption in dental offices due to its availability, recognizable branding, and compatibility with both custom tray and in-office whitening protocols. The product line later expanded to include take-home options, in-office formulations, and multiple peroxide strengths.

Today, Opalescence is:

• Manufactured in the United States

• Distributed internationally through dental supply distributors

• Primarily positioned for licensed dental practices

• Available in both in-office and take-home formulations

Some take-home Opalescence products are also available through third-party retail marketplaces, depending on region and distributor policies.

Background on Fern Whitening Supplies

Fern Whitening Supplies is a Canadian teeth whitening supply company developed by U Whitening Inc., a Canadian corporation focused on partner whitening manufacturing, distribution, and professional whitening services.

U Whitening Inc. was founded in 2019 by Rachel Hicks, a dental assistant and entrepreneur who opened one of Canada’s first commercial teeth whitening studios. The Fern Whitening Supplies brand was later developed to meet the needs of professional clinics seeking compliant, efficient, and results-driven whitening systems.

Fern Whitening Supplies has gained traction through:

• Blended peroxide formulations designed for controlled oxidation

• Partnerships with advanced whitening accelerator technologies

• A workflow-first approach focused on chairtime efficiency and predictable outcomes

The brand offers a full range of in-office whitening gels and professional take-home retail products, positioning it as a full-service wholesale teeth whitening supplier for clinics.

Fern Whitening Supplies™ is:

• Manufactured in Canada

• Sold directly to professional clinics

• Not sold direct-to-consumer

• Designed specifically for clinical and regulated cosmetic environments

Understanding Professional Teeth Whitening Gels in Canada

Professional whitening gels rely on peroxide oxidation to lift stains from enamel and dentin tubules. In-office teeth whitening gels are higher in percentage as cheek retractors and gum barriers are placed on for protection and comfort .However, performance for in-office whitening  is influenced not only by peroxide strength, but also by formulation balance, viscosity, activation method, and treatment timing.

For Canadian clinics, additional considerations include:

• Ingredient transparency
  

• Cost per patient

• Sensitivity management
  

These factors play a major role in treatment consistency and long-term client satisfaction.

Formulation Comparison for In-Office Whitening

Opalescence™ Pro vs Signature Fern Gel™ Pro 

Viscosity
Opalescence™ Pro: Thick
Signature Fern Gel™ Pro: Thick

Mixing Requirements
Opalescence™ Pro: Requires chairside mixing for activation
Signature Fern Gel™ Pro: Pre-mixed and ready for use

Peroxide Type
Opalescence™ Pro: Hydrogen peroxide straight
Signature Fern Gel™ Pro: Active peroxide blend (hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide)

Peroxide Strength
Opalescence™ Pro: 40%Label facing (38% description listings)
Signature Fern Gel™ Pro: 25 %

Fluoride
Opalescence™ Pro: Yes
Signature Fern Gel™ Pro: No

Colour Dispensed
Opalescence™ Pro: Red
Signature Fern Gel™ Pro: Clear

Scent and Flavour
Opalescence™ Pro: Chemical or peroxide aroma
Signature Fern Gel™ Pro: Mild mint scent derived from wild mint in the formulation

Expiry and Shelf Life
Opalescence™ Pro: Approximately 24 months from date of manufacture. Once activated and mixed, the syringe must be used within 10 days.
Signature Fern Gel™ Pro: 18 to 24 months from date of manufacture. Once opened, the gel maintains the same expiry period as long as it is kept properly sealed when not in use.

Pricing Breakdown Comparison 

In-office teeth whitening supplies cost per patient 

1. Raw Materials

The cost of the patient kit is very important to clinics as that will help determine the MSRP to patient for the in-office whitening procedure. Clinics need to take into consideration whats included with a teeth whitening in-office kit. 

Opalescence™ Pro

• Sold through dental supply distributors. Pricing varies depending on purchasing source and contract pricing. Current Canadian distributor pricing averages between $140 to $165 per patient based on 2026 estimates.

Signature Fern Gel™ Pro

• Sold directly to clinics. Pricing varies depending on session configuration, including prep, post care, and extension products. Average cost for teeth whitening supplies ranges between $30 to $68 per patient.

2. Chairtime 

The length of a teeth whitening session directly impacts the cost of treatment delivery. Chairtime is a measurable expense for clinics, and longer appointments increase overhead through staffing, room usage, and scheduling limitations.

The more time a whitening procedure requires, the higher the true cost per treatment becomes. Efficient whitening systems allow clinics to reduce chairtime while maintaining consistent results, improving both profitability and patient flow.

Opalescence™ Pro

• Chemically activated with no LED required. Gel contact time is delivered in up to three 20-minute applications. When preparation and post-treatment steps are included, this in-office whitening protocol typically requires 90 or more minutes of chairtime within a clinical schedule.

Signature Fern Gel™ Pro

• While not required, the instructions for use recommend pairing with an LED lamp. When paired with the Beyond II Ultra Whitening Accelerator, gel contact time is delivered in up to three 12-minute applications, with two applications being standard. When preparation and post-treatment steps are included, this in-office whitening protocol typically requires 60 minutes or less of chairtime within a clinical schedule.

3. Staff Application 

• The staff member administering the whitening gel directly impacts the overall cost per patient. In North America, teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure, and in many regions it can be legally performed outside of a dental clinic when peroxide concentrations are 25 percent hydrogen peroxide or lower.

  Staffing requirements therefore play a role in treatment cost, scheduling flexibility, and scalability.

  Opalescence™ Pro
  Application typically requires a registered dental assistant or registered dental hygienist, resulting in a higher wage cost per whitening treatment.

  Signature Fern Gel™ Pro
  Can be administered by any trained clinical team member who has completed teeth whitening certification, allowing for a lower wage cost per treatment application.

Sensitivity Management

Patient hesitation around in-office teeth whitening is often rooted in past experiences or stories of severe post-whitening tooth sensitivity. This concern remains one of the most common barriers to treatment acceptance.

As in-office whitening continues to be offered in dental clinics moving into 2026, whitening systems must be designed to directly address sensitivity concerns. Formulation balance, application time, and post-treatment protocols all play a role in minimizing discomfort while still delivering effective whitening results.

 

Opalescence™ Pro

• Front-facing product claims indicate that the inclusion of fluoride in the formulation is intended to support enamel and help reduce tooth sensitivity associated with in-office whitening treatments.

Signature Fern Gel™ Pro

• Sensitivity management is addressed through reduced gel contact times and the use of light-based and ultrasound-assisted activation rather than heat-based lamps, which is associated with lower risk of dentin hypersensitivity and pulpal inflammation.

Which Is Best For Your Dental Clinic?

Choosing a professional whitening system should align with your clinic’s operating model, budget, team structure, and patient expectations.

For clinics that operate within a traditional dental setting, require strict adherence to dental assistant or hygienist staffing, and place value on an established brand name with broad distributor availability, Opalescence™ Pro may align with those frameworks. Its long presence in the dental space and inclusion of fluoride are elements that some practices consider part of their standard clinical protocol.

Alternatively, clinics that prioritize workflow efficiency, lower per-patient material costs, flexible staffing models, and streamlined chairtime may find that Signature Fern Gel™ Pro fits their operational cadence more effectively. Pre-mixed formulation, reduced contact times, and the ability to have trained clinical team members administer the gel all contribute to a structure that can support higher throughput with predictable results.

Ultimately, the best system is the one that integrates seamlessly into your existing clinical schedule, aligns with provincial practice regulations, and supports a consistent, comfortable patient experience.

With teeth whitening continuing to be one of the most in-demand cosmetic services heading into 2026, the question for clinics is no longer whether to offer in-office whitening, but which system best aligns with their clinical workflow, staffing structure, and long-term business goals.

Both Opalescence™ Pro and Signature Fern Gel™ Pro are established options within the professional whitening space. Differences in formulation, chairtime, staffing requirements, and cost per patient can significantly impact treatment delivery and overall efficiency. Understanding these variables allows clinics to make informed decisions based on real operational needs rather than brand recognition alone.

All information presented in this educational comparison is publicly available and intended for professional reference. Opalescence™ was not contacted for input or commentary during the creation of this article.

Speak With a Professional Whitening Supplies Representative

For clinics interested in learning more about professional teeth whitening supplies in Canada, including in-office whitening gels, take-home retail options, and workflow integration, you can speak directly with a Fern Whitening Supplies representative to discuss clinic needs and purchasing options.

Contact a Fern Whitening Supplies representative here to explore professional whitening supplies designed for Canadian dental clinics.