Teeth Whitening – Oakton, VA
Invest in a Whiter Smile
Teeth come in many shades and tones naturally. Not to mention, they change color over the years from aging, poor oral hygiene, smoking, and many other reasons. If you’re embarrassed by brown or yellow teeth, you’re not alone. You don’t have to hide your smile any longer. Professional teeth whitening will revamp your pearly whites. You’ll enjoy noticeable results that can last with the help of your cosmetic dentist at Oakton Dentistry by Design.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
If you’re not happy with the color of your teeth, a whitening system may be an option for you. Not all stains are the same, and some won’t respond to conventional teeth whitening. As a result, you’ll need a consultation with your cosmetic dentist to ensure it can help you reach your goals.
Your cosmetic dentist will examine your mouth to determine the source of your discoloration. Teeth whitening is recommended for surface and age-related stains. You must also have healthy teeth and gums to be a candidate. It’s not uncommon to require a little prep work, like a dental cleaning, filling, or gum disease therapy.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
Teeth whitening differs from OTC products you might have tried. OTC kits don’t contain professional-grade whitening agents, so they can’t remove stubborn stains. Any improvement will be minimal and won’t last very long. Whitening systems from a dentist are proven safe and effective using highly-concentrated ingredients to dissolve the most difficult stains. Your teeth can become up to 8 shades whiter using a system that meets your needs, which can include:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
You can achieve in-office results and the convenience of an OTC product with a take-home kit from our office. Your cosmetic dentist will give you everything you need to whiten your teeth gradually. You’ll use the kit nightly for 1-2 weeks to reverse stains.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
You can enjoy drastic results over your lunch break with an in-office treatment. A protective barrier is placed over your gums and lips before a whitening gel is applied to your teeth. A special dental light activates the whitening agents to dissolve discoloration.
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
Your dazzling smile can stay bright and beautiful for many months or years, depending on your aftercare routine. You can get the most from your investment by:
- Committing to Your Oral Hygiene: Brush your teeth at least twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss in between your teeth and around the gum line nightly.
- Watch What You Eat and Drink: Limit your consumption of dark-colored foods and drinks, like coffee, berries, and tomatoes.
- Live a Healthy Lifestyle: Moderate your sugar consumption. Don’t smoke or use tobacco to avoid tar and nicotine stains.
- Visit Your Dentist: Schedule a cleaning and checkup every 6 months. Your dentist can provide you with a touchup kit to maintain your results.
If you’re ready to turn back the clock to reveal a bright smile, request an appointment through our website or call (703) 457-8850.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Even if you have your heart set on achieving a whiter smile, it’s still perfectly reasonable to be curious about how much the treatment will cost. The team at Oakton Dentistry by Design will be happy to provide you with a proper cost estimate when we see you at our office for your consultation, but here’s a quick look at a how these treatments are usually priced. Feel free to contact us if you’d like to know more.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening treatments are typically provided at fixed prices. However, there are factors that can require you to receive multiple or more extensive treatments, and this can increase the cost. A few of these include:
- The severity of your discoloration.
- The nature of your stains. Discoloration that is caused by age or medication or located beneath the enamel may be harder to lift than stains located on the surface.
- The potential need for preliminary procedures like fillings, gum disease therapy, and dental crowns.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
All whitening techniques are not created equal. Here’s a quick overview of the most popular whitening methods:
- In-office teeth whitening: These procedures can lift stubborn stains in about an hour and typically range in price from $400 to $1,000.
- Professional take-home whitening kits: These products include customized whitening trays and tubes of concentrated professional-grade whitening gel. One of these kits can deliver results far superior to those of similar store-bought products for several hundred dollars.
- “Over-the-counter” whitening trays: These usually cost less than $100 at stores and pharmacies.
- Whitening gels and strips: Two-week supplies of these products usually cost $20 to $40.
At Oakton Dentistry by Design, we offer take-home and in-office teeth whitening treatments that can deliver magnificent results in brief timeframes.
Cheap Teeth Whitening Vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
While cheaper store-bought whitening options may seem tempting at first, you have to keep in mind that you can always expect to get what you pay for. Retail whitening methods can lead to lackluster results even after several months of use, and there are even cases of injury due to user error or products of poor quality. Teeth whitening treatments from our office in Oakton, on the other hand, are administered under the supervision of qualified dentists and reliably deliver amazing results in brief timeframes.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Since teeth whitening is an elective cosmetic procedure, it rarely receives insurance coverage. However, your policy may be an exception, so we’ll happily go over it with you to check. We also partner with CareCredit, a trusted third-party financier offering flexible financing options to qualified patients. We’ll be sure to discuss your payment and financing options during your consultation so you can find the best way to fit your cosmetic treatment in your budget.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Most healthy adults are great candidates for professional teeth whitening! If you have surface stains caused by food, drinks, or tobacco use, whitening treatments can lift discoloration and brighten your smile. However, this treatment needs to be used on healthy teeth to prevent discomfort.
At Oakton Dentistry By Design, we’ll start with a quick exam to make sure teeth whitening would be safe and effective for you. If you’re looking for a brighter smile and live near Oakton, ask us about teeth whitening during your next visit!
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Not at all! Teeth whitening is a generally comfortable procedure with little to no discomfort. That being said, some patients may experience temporary sensitivity during or after treatment. This sensitivity is usually mild and short-lived, often triggered by hot or cold foods and drinks.
We take steps to minimize discomfort by using professional-grade whitening gels and protective barriers for your gums. We can also recommend sensitivity-reducing toothpaste or fluoride treatments if needed.
If you have sensitive teeth or are worried about pain, let us know. We’ll customize your teeth whitening treatment to keep you smiling comfortably throughout the process.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
When performed correctly by experts like Dr. Khalil and Dr. Giordano, professional teeth whitening does not damage enamel. The products used at our Oakton dental office are carefully formulated and applied to minimize sensitivity and protect your teeth.
While over-the-counter kits can cause problems when overused or applied incorrectly, in-office whitening is much safer and more effective. We take extra care to check your teeth for potential issues before your treatment and customize your experience for comfort. If you’re concerned about enamel safety, we’re happy to walk you through the process and answer all your questions during your visit.
Does Teeth Whitening Work on Dental Crowns?
Unfortunately, teeth whitening doesn’t work on dental crowns or other restorations like veneers and fillings. These materials don’t respond to whitening agents the same way natural enamel does. That said, if your crown or restoration is no longer matching your surrounding teeth, we can discuss options to replace or adjust it.
At our practice, we’ll create a personalized plan to help you achieve a bright, even smile. Whether you’re considering teeth whitening in Oakton or other cosmetic treatments, we’ll make sure everything blends beautifully.