Teeth whitening in Burke, Virginia

Why should I choose in-office teeth whitening?

In-office teeth whitening is safe, fast and effective. First, dental professionals look for any potential problems that would impact the results, then they protect your gums and carefully monitor your teeth whitening treatment. Since the bleaching agent is stronger than what you can buy in a store or online, it is fast and effective. A dentist can actually bleach your teeth, unlike DIY products which just remove surface stains. You'll have an exam first so our dentist can look for cavities and cracked teeth, both of which have to be addressed first, otherwise, the treatment will be painful or may not achieve the desired results.

Before your teeth whitening treatment, your dentist will check the stains you wish to remove. In-office whitening works best on stains from certain foods and beverages and smoking. It cannot remove stains deep within your teeth, such as those from certain medicines and trauma. Your dentist can suggest an alternative to whitening which will hide these teeth. Restorations, such as crowns or bridges don't get lighter with bleaching.

If you call our practice, we'll schedule an appointment for you. Our dentist will go over your anticipated results with you during your consultation.

How can I get professional teeth bleaching results at home?

If you would prefer to whiten your teeth at home and still enjoy dramatic results, we can help, After examining your teeth to give you an idea of the results you can expect, your dentist can create a custom whitening tray by making a mold from your teeth. This ensures the bleaching agent does not leak out of the tray and get on your gums. Your dentist will prepare a custom bleaching solution and provide instructions for using your teeth whitening at home kit. You can expect to see results in about two weeks if you wear your tray for an hour each night.

How much will teeth bleaching cost at a dentist's office?

Our dentist would have to examine your teeth to determine your needs before quoting a price. Factors which influence your teeth whitening cost include the whitening system the teeth bleaching dentist uses, whether you're likely to need a follow up treatment and whether you have restorations which need color matching. Please contact us to set up a consultation so you can learn more about your expected teeth whitening fee.

How do do-it-yourself teeth whitening products compare to an in-office whitening?

The products you can buy at your local drugstore can lighten your teeth a shade or two, but the results are nowhere near as impressive as a teeth whitening treatment at a dentist's office. Dentists use professional-grade bleaching solutions which are stronger than the whitening agent in DIY products, such as toothpastes, gels and strips. These products contain a bleaching agent of about five to six percent hydrogen peroxide while a dentist will use a bleaching gel containing up to 40 percent hydrogen peroxide.

What are the steps involved in an in-office teeth whitening procedure?

The standard routine, regardless of the teeth whitening system your dentist uses, begins with an exam and professional teeth cleaning. Next, the dentist will complete the following steps.

1. Our dentist will take a photo of your teeth or compare them to a shade chart to set a baseline. You can also take a selfie if you would like your own before and after images.
2. We will place a cheek retractor in your mouth to protect the insides of your cheeks and to expose the teeth which show when you smile.
3. We will paint a liquid rubber dam on your gums to protect them.
4. Your dentist will apply the whitening agent and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
5. The whitening agent is removed and then reapplied. Some systems use a light to hasten the results.
6. After the final teeth whitening agent application, your dentist will assess the results and see if any follow up treatment is required.

You'll also learn how to maintain your results for as long as possible. If you avoid foods and drinks known to cause staining, such as coffee and red wine and stop smoking, your newly whitened teeth should stay bright for several years.

If you would like your teeth to reach their maximum whiteness in as little as one afternoon, contact us to make an appointment for teeth whitening in Burke by our experienced teeth bleaching dentist.

Reviewed by Dr. Stephen Price, DDS