Professional teeth whitening is a fast and affordable cosmetic treatment at our Frederick dental office. Our dentists can brighten your smile and boost your confidence in just one visit. Dr. Sahil Goyal offers both in-office whitening and take-home kits. The whitening treatments at Frederick Center for Dentistry can help you achieve a more youthful look.
Our cosmetic dentists can whiten your teeth in as little as 30 minutes, helping you meet your aesthetic and oral health goals. Keep reading to learn more about this cosmetic procedure, which is available to most of our patients.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dental procedure that lightens the color of your teeth or removes stains. It usually involves using a bleaching agent with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide to break down stains. This makes your teeth look whiter with few or no side effects.
The goal of teeth whitening is to improve the appearance of your natural teeth. Many patients want whiter teeth to achieve a brighter smile, which often helps them look younger and more attractive.
A whiter smile can boost your confidence, help you speak more clearly, and make you enjoy laughing more. Our team in Frederick will provide the right teeth whitening treatment to help you get the beautiful smile you want.
Why Do Teeth Become Discolored?
Teeth can become yellow, stained, or discolored for many reasons, including everyday habits, diet, aging, or genetics. Even with good oral hygiene, tooth discoloration can still happen.
Dentin, the layer beneath your enamel, is naturally yellow. As you age, your enamel wears down, exposing the darker dentin underneath. In addition to age-related discoloration, there are two types of stains that can affect your teeth: extrinsic stains (on the surface) and intrinsic stains (within the tooth).
About Extrinsic Stains
Extrinsic stains are stains that form on the surface of your teeth. Whitening treatments can remove these surface stains, which are often from coffee, tea, soda, wine, or tobacco products. Extrinsic stains affect the outermost layer of the tooth, known as the enamel, and are the most common type of stain we treat.
Enamel is the tooth’s first line of defense, but it’s vulnerable to many things. Tobacco use, especially smoking, can lead to yellow or dull-looking teeth. Many foods and drinks can also cause stains, including coffee, tea, red wine, dark berries, dark sodas, and pasta sauces. To avoid extrinsic stains, it’s best to limit your intake of these staining foods and beverages, as well as tobacco.
About Intrinsic Stains
Intrinsic stains are stains that develop inside the tooth. These stains affect the inner layer of the tooth, called the dentin, making it appear darker. Intrinsic stains are less common, more permanent, and harder to treat.
Even though the dentin is inside the tooth, it can still be visible, causing the entire tooth to look darker. Intrinsic stains can be from dental injuries, certain medications (especially those with tetracycline), and too much fluoride.
Teeth Whitening in Frederick, MD
We offer several options for professional teeth whitening based on your needs, preferences, and budget. You can choose to have your teeth whitened in our Frederick dental office or opt for a take-home treatment. During your consultation, your dentist will help you decide which option 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 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 use 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 like the convenience of our professional at-home teeth whitening kits. We create custom-fitted trays that fit perfectly against your teeth and gums, minimizing sensitivity. Patients usually wear these trays overnight. This option is also great for touch-ups and maintaining results from Zoom or laser teeth whitening.
Over-the-Counter Vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening offers many advantages over drugstore methods. Over-the-counter whitening products are one-size-fits-all, which usually means they don’t fit anyone perfectly.
Ill-fitting strips or trays can cause gum sensitivity and uneven, splotchy whitening results. They also don’t provide the noticeable results that professional treatments do. The bleaching gel we use is stronger than what you find in stores, and over-the-counter products are more https://www.frederickcenterfordentistry.com/dental-services/dental-implants/multiple-dental-implants/likely to cause tooth sensitivity.
In our office, we take steps to protect your gums and soft tissues from sensitivity during whitening. For take-home options, we create custom-made trays that fit your smile perfectly. These trays protect your gums and keep saliva from interfering with the whitening process, ensuring even and complete results.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
After learning about our methods, 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 take steps to protect your gums and enamel during treatments so you won’t feel any discomfort. Dr. Goyal also uses a gel that’s gentle for patients with sensitive gums or teeth. Some patients may feel temporary sensitivity to hot and cold foods, but this usually goes away within a couple of days as your enamel adjusts.
Will bleaching gel whiten my dental veneers or crowns?
No, whitening gel doesn’t work on dental veneers or crowns. Dentists can’t bleach them, but they can replace them with whiter ones if needed. You also have the option to whiten your natural teeth before getting new veneers or crowns.
If you have an old veneer or crown and want a brighter smile, we can help you choose the best option. This might involve a complete smile makeover with new veneers, crowns, or other cosmetic treatments.
Am I a candidate for teeth whitening?
Most patients over 16 years old are good candidates for teeth whitening, as long as they don’t have dental problems that could affect the results. For the best outcome, it’s important to start with a clean, healthy mouth. Issues like tooth decay or gum disease could cause sensitivity or tissue damage during whitening.
Does dental insurance cover tooth whitening?
Teeth whitening is an elective cosmetic treatment, so it’s not covered by dental insurance. We will provide all cost information upfront, and our office staff will review convenient payment options with you.
How long do tooth whitening results last?
How long your teeth stay white depends on factors like genetics and lifestyle habits. If you smoke or drink coffee regularly, the results may fade sooner. Professional whitening can last from six months to a few years. You can extend your results by using whitening toothpaste, brushing more than twice a day, and using a hydrogen peroxide rinse.
Is professional tooth whitening worth it?
Yes, it’s worth it to choose professional whitening to ensure safe and effective results. Over-the-counter products can damage your teeth and cause long-term sensitivity. Professional whitening gives you better and safer results.
Who is not a good candidate for teeth whitening?
Teeth whitening might not be suitable for patients with very sensitive teeth or gums. Whitening could make this sensitivity worse. Deep stains, dental crowns, porcelain veneers, or other restorations can also limit your results. Deep, intrinsic stains won’t respond to whitening, as it works best on surface (extrinsic) stains.
Whitening treatments won’t affect dental restorations or prosthetics. If you’re planning to get a dental prosthetic, whitening your teeth first will give you the best results. Schedule a consultation for teeth whitening in Frederick, MD, today!
Call us or schedule a consultation online to begin your whitening process at Frederick Center For Dentistry. Dr. Goyal will discuss your goals, evaluate your smile, and decide if teeth whitening is the right treatment for you. Request an appointment online, or contact us by calling 301-264-5680.