Teeth Whitening in Reston, Virginia
Professional teeth whitening lightens the shade of the teeth by breaking down pigmented particles within the dentin. The result depends on why your teeth darkened in the first place, which is why treatment begins with an examination rather than with a gel.
Why Teeth Darken
Discoloration falls into two categories, and they respond to treatment differently.
Extrinsic staining develops on the outer surface of the tooth. Long-term smoking, regular coffee, tea or red wine, and certain medications are the usual causes. Pigment enters through the microscopic pores in enamel and settles in the dentin beneath, and the enamel loses its natural translucency.
Intrinsic discoloration originates within the tooth. Causes include developmental conditions, fluorosis, previous root canal treatment, darkening of a non-vital tooth, and staining from certain materials used in older endodontic treatment.
Extrinsic staining generally responds well. Intrinsic discoloration is less predictable and sometimes calls for a different approach altogether, which we will discuss at your consultation.
Professional Teeth Whitening Options
In-Office Whitening
Whitening gel is applied to the teeth and activated with an LED light. The gums and lips are isolated with a rubber dam beforehand, and the enamel is treated with a protective agent. A typical session runs in cycles of fifteen to twenty minutes, and the number of cycles depends on the shade you start from and the result you are working toward.
Most patients achieve several shades of improvement in a single appointment. Whitening is not painful and anesthetic is rarely required, although a mild tingling sensation during treatment is common.
Custom Take-Home Trays
Trays are made to fit your own teeth from impressions or a digital scan, and you use them at home with gel at a concentration your dentist selects. Results build over one to two weeks rather than in a single appointment. Take-home trays suit patients who prefer a gradual change, and they are useful afterward for maintaining the result.
Internal Bleaching
Where a single tooth has darkened following root canal treatment, external whitening will not correct it. Internal bleaching places the whitening agent inside the tooth itself, and the procedure is repeated two or three times to reach the intended shade.
Professional Cleaning
Worth mentioning because patients frequently ask. A hygiene appointment removes surface deposits and can lighten teeth by one to three shades where heavy staining is present. This is not whitening in the clinical sense, but for some patients it achieves what they were looking for, and it costs considerably less. We will tell you honestly if that is the case for you.
What Whitening Will Not Change
This is the point most worth understanding before you start.
Whitening agents work on natural tooth structure and have no effect on restorative materials. Fillings, crowns, veneers and bridges keep their existing shade. If you have restorations in the smile line, they may need replacing after whitening so the shade matches, and we will identify that in advance rather than after the fact.
Tetracycline staining responds poorly and often incompletely. Discoloration following trauma is unpredictable. Teeth that are naturally translucent at the edges tend to show less change. Where the front teeth carry extensive restorations, veneers usually give a better result than whitening.
None of this means treatment is off the table. It means the examination determines the plan.
When Whitening Is Not Appropriate
Pregnancy and breastfeeding, where treatment is postponed rather than ruled out.
Known allergy to the components of the whitening gel.
Marked existing sensitivity, which is assessed and often managed rather than treated as a barrier.
Younger patients, where we generally wait until the permanent dentition is fully established.
Untreated decay or active gum disease, which is addressed before any whitening begins.
Preparing for Treatment
The teeth need to be free of plaque and tartar for the gel to work evenly, so a hygiene appointment comes first, either several days beforehand or immediately prior to treatment. Where enamel is thin or sensitivity is a concern, a remineralizing treatment with calcium and fluoride is applied.
The dentist records your starting shade against a standard guide so the change can be assessed objectively rather than by impression.
Aftercare
Whitening continues to develop for several days after treatment. For the first week, avoid anything that stains. Coffee, tea, red wine, chocolate, beets, berries, soy sauce and tobacco are the main ones.
Some sensitivity to hot and cold in the days following is normal and settles. Occasional white patches immediately after treatment reflect uneven dehydration of the enamel and resolve within a day. If discomfort continues beyond a few days, contact us and we will see you.
How Long Results Last
Between six months and two to three years, depending on diet, smoking and your own enamel. Heavy coffee drinkers and smokers see the shade regress sooner.
Maintenance is what makes the difference. Custom take-home trays used occasionally will hold the result for a long time, and regular hygiene appointments remove the surface staining that accumulates in between.
What Professional Teeth Whitening Costs
The cost depends on the method and on how many appointments your case requires. In-office whitening, take-home trays and internal bleaching are priced differently, and internal bleaching is charged per tooth.
Whitening is classified as cosmetic treatment, which means dental insurance does not cover it. Any preparatory work such as a hygiene appointment or a filling is usually covered as normal, and we will separate the two clearly on your treatment plan so you know what falls where.
You receive a written estimate following your consultation. Whitening is generally an eligible HSA and FSA expense, and financing is available.
