Professional teeth whitening is a quick and affordable cosmetic dentistry treatment that can whiten teeth and boost your confidence level. Dr. Sahil Goyal offers both in-office and take-home teeth whitening in Frederick, MD. The whitening treatments at Frederick Center for Dentistry will give you a more youthful appearance and boost your self-confidence.
Our cosmetic dentists will give you whiter teeth in as little as 30 minutes to meet your aesthetic and oral health goals.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that will lighten the color of your teeth or remove stains. The procedure typically involves using a bleaching agent that contains hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down stains. This will make the teeth appear whiter.
The goal of teeth whitening procedures is to enhance the appearance of a patient’s smile. Many of our patients want their teeth to appear whiter to help them achieve a brighter smile. This often makes them look younger and more beautiful.
A whiter smile allows you to have more confidence in yourself, speak more clearly, and enjoy laughing. Our team will provide you with the right teeth whitening in Frederick to help you achieve the beautiful smile you want.
Why Do Teeth Become Discolored?
Your teeth can have yellow teeth, stained teeth, or discolored teeth for a number of reasons. It can be from everyday habits, what you consume, or simply from aging or genetics. There are actually two types of stains that can occur on the teeth: extrinsic stains and intrinsic stains.
About Extrinsic Stains
Stains that occur on the surface of the teeth are extrinsic dental stains. Whitening treatments can remove surface stains from coffee, tea, cola, wine, or tobacco products. An extrinsic stain affects the outermost layer of the tooth or the enamel. This is the most common type of tooth stain we treat.
The enamel is the first line of defense for the tooth. It’s vulnerable to many things. Using any tobacco, especially smoking, can lead to yellow or dull-looking teeth. But there are many types of foods and drinks that can cause stains on your teeth.
Coffee, tea, red wine, dark berries, dark sodas, dark sauces such as pasta sauces can all cause stains. To avoid extrinsic stains, you should limit tobacco use and teeth staining foods and beverages.
About Intrinsic Stains
A stain on the inside of the tooth is an intrinsic stain. This type of stain stain creates discoloration on the inside layer of the tooth, or the dentin. They are less common, more permanent, and harder to treat.
Even though the dentin layer is inside the tooth, you can still visibly see it. It can make the entire tooth appear discolored. Dental injuries or blows to the mouth, certain medications (especially ones containing tetracycline), or overexposure to fluoride can cause intrinsic stains.
Aging Will Also Lead to Discolored Teeth
No matter how strict you are with your oral hygiene routine, you are at risk of tooth discoloration. Dentin is naturally yellow in color. As we age, the enamel will wear down, exposing the layer of darker dentin underneath.
Teeth Whitening in Frederick, MD
Depending on your needs, wants, and budget, we offer several forms of professional teeth whitening. You can choose to have your teeth whitening in our Frederick dental office, or you can choose a take-home treatment. During your consultation, your dentist will help you decide which one is best for you.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
- Zoom Teeth Whitening: This non-invasive and safe treatment can whiten teeth up to 8 shades in as little as one hour. Dr. Goyal will apply a special whitening gel to the teeth. Then, we will apply a special light to the teeth activating the whitening agent.
- Zoom Pen: Zoom pens contain a whitening gel that the dentist directly applies to teeth. Dr. Goyal will apply a thin layer of gel directly onto the front surfaces of the teeth.
- Laser Whitening: Laser teeth whitening is a safe and effective whitening treatment. This method breaks down stains on the tooth enamel using heat.
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
Many patients prefer the convenience of professional at-home teeth whitening kits. We will create custom-fitted trays that will fit perfectly against your teeth and gums for minimal sensitivity. Patients typically wear at-home teeth whitening bleaching trays overnight. This treatment is also great for touch-ups and patients who want to maintain their Zoom or laser teeth whitening results.
Over-the-Counter Vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening provides many benefits compared to drugstore methods. Over-the-counter teeth whitening solutions are one-size fits all. But this usually means that it doesn’t fit anyone in the correct way.
Ill-fitting whitening strips or trays can cause sensitivity to the gum tissue and uneven, splotchy results for whitening. They also don’t provide noticeable results how professional treatments do. The bleaching gel we use is stronger than what you find over the counter. A drugstore whitening product is more likely to cause teeth sensitivity too.
When we whiten teeth in the office, we apply safeguards to protect the gums and soft tissues from sensitivity.
Take-home options use trays that are custom-made to fit your smile perfectly. The trays protect your gums and soft tissues. They work by sealing out saliva so that it doesn’t interfere with the whitening process. Since they’re custom-made, the trays also offer the ability to ensure a result that’s even and complete.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Please review our most commonly asked questions about professional teeth whitening options. If you still have questions, please feel free to reach out to us.
Are in-office teeth whitening treatments painful?
No, we will protect your gums and enamel during treatments so that you don’t feel discomfort. Dr. Goyal also uses a gel that is beneficial for patients with gum and tooth sensitivity. Some patients report temporary sensitivity to hot and cold foods, but this symptom goes away in a couple of days.
Will bleaching gel whiten my dental veneers or crowns?
No, a whitening gel is not effective on dental veneers and crowns. We cannot bleach them but we can replace them with whiter and brighter ones. You also have the option of whitening your teeth before the dentist places the restoration.
We can help you choose the best method if you have an old veneer or crown and would like whiter teeth. It may involve a complete smile makeover with new porcelain veneers, crowns, or other cosmetic treatments.
Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?
Most patients over the age of 14 are candidates for teeth whitening. As long as they don’t have other dental problems that could impact results. We recommend that you begin with a clean, healthy foundation for the best outcome. Existing concerns such as decay and gum disease could result in sensitivity or damage to tissues.
Does dental insurance cover tooth whitening?
Tooth whitening is an elective cosmetic treatment, so dental health benefits don’t cover the cost. We will provide all treatment cost information for your consideration before your treatment. Our helpful office staff will also review all our convenient payment options with you.
How long do tooth whitening results last?
The impact of tooth whitening depends on many factors. Genetics plays a part. Some people’s teeth retain the whitening effect longer than others. Your lifestyle habits play a big part as well.
If you smoke or drink coffee regularly, the whitening treatment is going to last for a shorter time than others. Professional whitening can last anywhere from six months to a few years.
Is professional tooth whitening worth it?
Yes. It’s worth it to go the professional route and ensure that you’re whitening your teeth safely. Relying on over-the-counter whitening can damage your teeth and make them sensitive for long periods. You also get better results with professional bleaching products. In the long run, you will achieve better results in a much safer manner.
Who is not a good candidate for teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening treatment might not be best for patients with hypersensitive teeth and gums. If you have tooth sensitivity, a teeth whitening treatment may make it worse.
Deep tooth stains, dental crowns, porcelain veneers, or other cosmetic restorations may also prevent you from achieving the best results. Deep tooth stains, or intrinsic stains, will not respond to treatment. Professional teeth whitening works best on extrinsic stains.
Whitening treatments will not work on any type of dental restoration or prosthetic. It’s best to whiten your teeth before getting a dental prosthetic.
Schedule a consultation for teeth whitening in Frederick, MD today!
Do you want to transform your smile? Call us or schedule a consultation online to start your whitening process at Frederick Center For Dentistry. Dr. Goyal will take the time to discuss your goals and evaluate the condition of your smile. Then he will decide if this cosmetic dental treatment is the best solution for your needs.
Please request an appointment with us online, or contact us today by calling 301-264-5680.