When a brighter smile can make you more confident, you’ll be glad that there’s an option available. Whether you are having a business conversation, taking a picture, attending a celebration, or having a face-to-face conversation, a brighter smile is something you can always have to feel good about. Patients in North Bethesda who want a brighter smile without trying out a bunch of over-the-counter products or waiting to find out if it is going to work for them are in the best hands with in-office whitening at Prostho Endo Dental Group. With an expert in-office teeth whitening in North Bethesda, MD, you’ll walk away with a smile that looks brighter, healthier, and more balanced.
Achieving Noticeable Results In One Visit
It is one of the main reasons why in-office whitening has become more common than ever before: it can create noticeable results in a single office visit. While it is not guaranteed for everyone, in-office teeth whitening provides our office the best chance of making the most of the patient’s whitening treatment because we are using whitening products under close supervision.
In-office whitening can be ideal for those who need to improve their smile before a big event, are looking to upgrade their overall smile, or are interested in the best ways to whiten their teeth faster than any other alternative. While it is true that no one is going to get the same results as another, one of the great things about this treatment is that, if the patient is a good candidate, many have seen several years’ worth of surface stains fade during one appointment.
Teeth Whitening That Is Customized To You
Just because you want whiter teeth doesn’t mean that every whitening process is going to be right for you and your smile. For starters, we want to evaluate if whitening is the best thing to do for you and if we feel your teeth will be able to handle the treatment. Factors that could go into the decision include your current tooth color, enamel thickness, dental history, whether you have had any teeth restoration work completed, and what you expect from your whitening treatment.
Different materials respond to whitening differently as well. Natural tooth enamel will respond to bleaching much better than crowns, veneers, bonding, or fillings do. We will be happy to discuss any concerns that you have regarding what we will and will not be able to improve if you have any restoration work to your teeth that will be visible in your smile when you are smiling.
Removing Even The Deeper Stains
The cause of teeth becoming discolored can vary. This can be caused by your food and drinks (i.e., coffee, tea, soda, red wine), tobacco use, age, genetics, as well as a variety of medications that may cause enamel to stain. While some stains are on the surface of the teeth and are easy to remove, others are inside the tooth structure and harder to get to.
For this reason, teeth whitening performed in-office is generally more effective than anything you will find on a shelf. We are able to use materials under close supervision, which gives us better predictability on what our whitening treatment will be able to remove. During your whitening visit, we will be able to discuss what types of staining can and cannot be improved with whitening, so you can have all of your questions answered before treatment begins.
Having Your Teeth Naturally Brighter
While a whiter smile is a common goal, it is important for it to look like a part of the patient’s overall smile and facial features. In-office teeth whitening should not make a patient’s teeth too white. This is the last thing we want.
In-office teeth whitening can provide our patients with a smile that looks healthy, bright, natural, and polished, but most importantly, one that looks natural to them and to anyone who sees them. The results should appear subtle but natural-looking to give a refreshed smile instead of an obvious and unrealistic one. We understand that while a more polished look to your smile is the goal, you don’t want to look overdone. Our goal is to give you whiter teeth that will make you smile more, but without any dramatic change to your overall facial aesthetic.
Whitening As Part Of A Smile Makeover
For some patients, in-office whitening is the first step to a more comprehensive smile makeover. If you are thinking about getting cosmetic bonding, veneers, crowns, or other restorative treatment, whitening prior to the creation of the final restoration can help us establish the target shade for your new smile.
That’s important because restorations will not change color in the same way your natural teeth will. By whitening first, our team is able to plan treatment around your chosen color to achieve the best possible final smile. By coordinating the use of cosmetics and restorations, we can help prevent the occurrence of mismatched color and help achieve the final, predictable results you expect.
Protecting Teeth During Treatment
One of the most important advantages of in-office teeth whitening is the added safety of having a trained dentist’s assistance. Prior to treatment, we can look out for potential issues that might make whitening less effective or uncomfortable, such as gum irritation, worn enamel, exposed root surfaces, untreated cavities, or preexisting tooth sensitivity.
While the whitening procedure takes place, we can help safeguard your gums and other soft tissues from the whitening material. If you are prone to tooth sensitivity, we can discuss ways to improve comfort levels during and after treatment to reduce temporary discomfort.
Professional Vs. Store-Bought Whitening Methods
Over-the-counter and store-bought whitening products can be tempting to consider, but these options are usually limited by their strength, flexibility, and predictability. Whitening strips may not adhere well enough to ensure consistent coverage, whitening toothpaste often can only lighten surface stains, and whitening trays from generic over-the-counter products can be difficult to mold to the teeth, leaving the whitening gel to sit too close to the gums.
Teeth whitening services at a dental office have the following advantages:
- Whitening treatment is overseen by a dental team.
- Whitening strength is better able to deliver more dramatic results.
- Treatment is customized for your smile.
- The gum and soft tissue can be protected from contact with the whitening gel.
- Many patients see results far more rapidly than with over-the-counter products.
Professional in-office whitening at our office in North Bethesda, MD, can be an ideal solution for patients looking to obtain a brighter smile with the added security that their smile is in the right hands.
Maintaining Results After Treatment
Following whitening treatment, your teeth can become more susceptible to staining for a short period of time, and your habits may impact how long your new smile retains its color. Our team is happy to provide practical advice regarding things like consuming coffee, black tea, soda, wine, and other pigmented drinks, tobacco, oral hygiene, and the timing of future touch-up treatments.
Maintaining good oral hygiene with regular brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleanings, while also avoiding dark-staining food and drinks, can prolong the effect of your whitening treatment. Additional whitening treatments may be needed to keep up with lifestyle and dietary preferences.
At Prostho Endo Dental Group, our team offers in-office whitening services as part of the same careful attention to your overall dental health that we provide for other dental procedures. We want you to enjoy the results of our whitening treatment and be informed about how whitening services work, what results to expect, and how to keep your beautiful white smile for years to come.