Teeth Whitening, Tooth Whitening Questions
Northern Virginia, including Arlington, Tysons Corner, Alexandria, Fairfax, and McLean, Virginia
Teeth whitening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make a considerable difference in your smile. From whitening toothpastes to professional teeth whitening treatments, having a white smile is now within virtually everyone’s reach. At Galleria Dental Aesthetics, we understand that many of our discerning patients desire immediate results, and we are dedicated to meeting those needs in our Tysons Corner and Arlington locations.
Why is tooth whitening so popular?
A smile that is discolored or stained due to genetics, age, personal habits or trauma can make otherwise healthy teeth appear unhealthy. Individuals, either consciously or subconsciously, tend to notice the whiteness of a person’s teeth (as well as the quality of the person’s overall smile) and make personal and professional judgments. If you are looking to make a positive impression with your smile, teeth whitening is a must.
How is tooth whitening done?
At Galleria Dental Aesthetics our cosmetic dentists in Northern Virginia can perform teeth whitening in our offices or provide you with take-home whitening trays that are custom made to fit the curves of your smile. Special whitening gel is used in the trays which are typically worn during the evening hours.
How long does teeth whitening take?
The teeth whitening procedure we perform in our office can drastically change the brightness of your smile in just one visit. The take-home trays, while also very effective, may take up to two weeks to produce the desired results.
Why is professional whitening superior to over-the-counter methods?
Professional in-office whitening treatments, such as the ZOOM! teeth whitening technology used in our offices, can significantly whiten your teeth in just one office visit. These types of systems use a higher concentration of whitening agent or bleach combined with a special light to increase the effectiveness of the whitening system. Because the entire process is monitored by a dental professional, the whitening results are even across the entire tooth surface as well as in between the teeth.
In contrast, over-the-counter methods typically take several weeks to achieve a level of whitening that may or may not reach your desired brightness. Mouth saliva can interfere with the whitening process, and some products can cause the tooth enamel to become dry.
Does teeth whitening last forever?
Because tooth enamel is porous, natural teeth will always be susceptible to staining substances. Likewise, the eventual thinning of tooth enamel as you age can continue to cause tooth discoloration. It is for these reasons that tooth whitening is not a permanent cosmetic dental procedure. Depending on your personal habits and genetics, touch-up whitening treatments will most likely need to be performed in the future.
Are there any side effects of teeth whitening?
The main side effect of teeth whitening is tooth or gum sensitivity, although not every patient will have this experience. Genetics, the concentration of the whitening agent or bleach and the reaction of the whitening agent on the tooth enamel all play a part in how susceptible a patient may be to teeth whitening sensitivity. Desensitizing agents can be used to minimize this potential side effect. A thorough dental examination by our trained team of professionals can help to identify some potential trouble areas so preventative measures can be taken To eliminate possible tooth and/or gum sensitivity.
If you live in the Tysons Corner, Arlington, Fairfax, Alexandria, or anywhere in Northern Virginia area and would like to brighten your smile, please contact the tooth whitening experts at Galleria Dental Aesthetics, located in Tysons Corner, to schedule a consultation.
