What can I do depending on how much time is left before the interview?
The less time is left, the less you can do. Rather than rushing into major treatment, it's important to know exactly what's possible.
| Time left | What you can do | Points to watch |
|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks or more | Checkup, scaling and stain removal, several professional whitening sessions, at-home whitening, treatment for a chipped front tooth | Treat any cavities or gum problems first |
| 2–3 weeks | Scaling and stain removal, 1–2 professional whitening sessions | Sensitivity may occur after whitening |
| 1 week | Stain removal, small composite touch-ups | Safer not to start whitening |
| Within 2–3 days | Brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning at home | Don't start any new treatment |
What's the difference between stain removal and teeth whitening?
Stain removal cleans off pigment stuck to the tooth surface, while whitening uses an agent to brighten the color inside the tooth itself. If the problem is a surface yellowed by coffee, tea, or smoking, stain removal alone often makes teeth look about one shade cleaner. If your natural tooth color is dark, whitening is needed.
| Method | Effect | Time needed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stain removal | Removes surface pigment | Same day | ₩100,000 |
| Scaling not covered by insurance | Removes tartar and some stains | Same day | ₩60,000 (insurance available once a year) |
| Professional whitening | Brightens the tooth's own color | Same day per session; usually several sessions | ₩110,000 for 1 session / ₩330,000 for 3 sessions |
| At-home whitening (tray + gel) | Brightens the tooth's own color | About 2 weeks at home | ₩250,000 per arch |
As of September 2026, whitening amounts include VAT (cosmetic treatment). All items can be found on the full fee list. How much brighter whitening makes your teeth is summarized separately in How much brighter does in-office whitening make teeth?
Won't whitening right before an interview make my teeth sensitive?
Sensitivity for a day or two after whitening is common, and it mostly goes away within a few days. That's why we recommend allowing 1–2 weeks rather than doing it right before the interview. Why sensitivity happens and how to reduce it is explained in Does whitening make teeth sensitive?
For 1–2 days right after whitening, teeth absorb color easily, so avoid coffee, black tea, curry, red wine, and smoking. If teeth get stained during this period, the effect looks weaker.
Can a chipped or gapped front tooth be fixed before an interview?
A slightly chipped front tooth or a small gap can often be filled with composite resin on the same day. Tooth contouring to smooth uneven edges (₩100,000) is also possible on the same day.
If you want to change the shape of the front teeth themselves, Basic Brinate, placed on top without preparation (0.3mm, same day possible, ₩330,000 per tooth), is also an option. However, we don't do it if the teeth stick out forward or there is a skeletal protruding mouth. There's no need to rush a decision that's hard to undo because of an interview date. It's not too late to fix only the urgent parts with composite resin or stain removal and have a thorough consultation about changing the shape after the interview.
What should I take care of on the day of the interview?
- In the morning, clean your tongue along with brushing to reduce bad breath.
- Your mouth gets dry when you're nervous, so sip water a little at a time.
- Put off coffee until after the interview, or rinse with water after drinking it.
- If the interview is after lunch, bring floss and check for anything stuck between your front teeth.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
Wonjin Dental is right by Gangnam Station Exit 1, so it's easy to stop by on the way home from work or around lunchtime. If you tell me your interview schedule, I'll separate what can be finished in the time left and what to put off until after the interview. Stain removal (₩100,000) and professional whitening (₩110,000 for 1 session) are both same-day treatments, and if you have cavities or gum inflammation, I recommend treating them before whitening.
Frequently asked questions
Will a filled front tooth also turn white with whitening?
Artificial materials like composite resin, porcelain veneers, and crowns don't change color with whitening. After whitening, only the surrounding teeth get brighter, which can create a color difference, so if needed, we redo the composite to match the new shade after whitening is finished.
Only my front tooth with root canal treatment is dark—what can I do?
A tooth with root canal treatment can have non-vital tooth whitening, where the agent is placed from inside (₩100,000 including touch-up). The agent sometimes needs to be changed several times, so it's best to start 3–4 weeks before the interview. The effect varies from person to person depending on the degree of discoloration.
I'm in orthodontic treatment—can my braces be removed before the interview?
Removing braces for an interview and reattaching them can lengthen treatment and add costs. Keeping the appliance clean does more for the impression you make. If it's really necessary, talk with your orthodontist.
