Teeth Whitening

Why Choose Professional Teeth Whitening?

In-office teeth-whitening treatments are also referred to as chairside teeth whitening or power bleaching, and these treatments are overseen by our knowledgeable dentists to ensure the best possible results. Our dental team uses advanced bleaching agents to safely whiten your teeth by several shades.

People who have healthy teeth and gums without any existing dental problems are the best candidates for teeth whitening, and the procedure works best on yellow stains and general discoloration caused by the use of tobacco products or years of drinking beverages like coffee, tea, wine, or cola. It’s important to consider that there are some types of stains that are resistant to traditional whitening procedures. This includes stains caused by tooth decay, defective fillings, overexposure to fluoride, or use of tetracycline antibiotics. In addition, we don’t recommend whitening treatments for anyone who has veneers, crowns, fillings, bridges, or other types of restoration materials. The bleaching agents won’t change the color of these materials, causing inconsistent results.

During your consultation, our dentists will evaluate the condition and health of your teeth and gums and answer any questions you have about the whitening procedure. If you’re not a candidate for traditional whitening, we’ll discuss other options and alternatives that would work best for your individual needs and goals.

What Should I Know About Teeth Whitening at Home?

Our professional at-home teeth-whitening kits are a great way to achieve a lighter and brighter smile in the comfort of your own home. The process begins with taking impressions of your teeth to create whitening trays that fit the unique shape of your mouth. The whitening trays look like a sports mouth guard and are filled with our concentrated whitening gel to achieve professional results. Your dentist will offer instructions and show you how to dispense the whitening solution into the trays. You can expect to wear the whitening trays for about an hour each day. After two weeks, your teeth can be up to six shades lighter.

What Does Teeth Whitening Cost?

The final cost of teeth whitening can vary, depending on the whitening system chosen (take-home or in-office), how many treatments are required, how badly your teeth are discolored, and whether any follow-up treatments are needed. In-office whitening treatments typically cost more than a take-home whitening kit.

Dental insurance doesn’t usually cover the cost of cosmetic treatments such as professional whitening treatments. For more information about our teeth bleaching cost, get in touch with us to schedule an appointment with our dentists. After examining your mouth and discussing your goals, you’ll receive a cost estimate at your consultation.

Should I Choose Professional or DIY Teeth-Whitening Products?

There are many over-the-counter whitening products to choose from, including toothpastes, rinses, and whitening strips and trays. The whitening gel in DIY whitening products is at a much lower concentration, so while you might see some improvement when using these types of products, they don’t work as quickly or as reliably in comparison with professional whitening treatment. There are also risks associated with whitening your teeth at home. When these products aren’t used properly, they can cause irritation and damage to your gums and teeth in addition to uneven results.

When you visit your teeth-bleaching dentist for whitening treatment, these types of risks are eliminated. Our dentists carefully supervise the whitening process to provide dramatic results in a safe environment. We also use stronger whitening agents, ensuring that you get a dazzling white smile in as little as one treatment.

What Can I Expect During Teeth Whitening?

While the specific details for an in-office teeth whitening treatment can vary, a standard procedure is followed. These steps describe a typical procedure performed by a teeth-bleaching dentist:

1. A dental hygienist will clean your teeth and the dentist will perform an examination.
2. Photos may be taken to track your progress before and after treatment.
3. To expose all teeth and keep your mouth open, a cheek retractor is placed in your mouth.
4. A liquid is applied to your gums to protect them from the bleaching gel.
5. The bleaching gel is applied to the surface of your teeth. The gel will remain on your teeth for a predetermined length of time before being removed. Several applications may be needed.
6. A specialized light may be used to activate the bleaching gel.
7. After the final application of gel and removing the cheek retractor, your results are evaluated. If needed, at-home treatments or follow-up visits will be determined.

If you want to dramatically improve your smile, consider teeth whitening in Abingdon. Get in touch with us to schedule a teeth-whitening consultation.