Dr. Keith Boenning and Dr. Nathan Dancykier offer teeth whitening in Towson, MD. Teeth whitening is often the last step of a complete smile makeover. Cosmetic dental care completes patients’ journeys in oral health and improves the aesthetics of their smiles. Patients who get teeth whitening treatment are often more motivated to maintain their whiter teeth.
Brightening your smile can motivate you to take extra care in your oral health routine and schedule dental appointments. Our routine examinations and dental cleanings are preventative treatments against common dental problems. Teeth whitening treatment is often a motivating factor in oral health maintenance.
What Causes Tooth Discoloration?
Stained or yellow teeth are very common, and almost everyone experiences them at some point. Tooth discoloration can make you feel self-conscious about your smile, but understanding the causes can help you find the best treatment. Many factors can lead to stains, and they fall into two categories: stains on the outside of the teeth (extrinsic) and stains on the inside of the teeth (intrinsic). Many things can cause staining, but the most common causes of discolored teeth include:
- Foods and beverages: Coffee, tea, red wine, and berries contain chromogens, which are dark pigments that can stain your tooth enamel.
- Tobacco: Nicotine and tar, common ingredients in cigarettes and other tobacco products, turn teeth yellow and stain the teeth.
- Age: As we age, the outer layer of tooth enamel erodes over time. The dark underlayer beneath the enamel, dentin, shows through and makes teeth appear discolored.
- Medication: Antipsychotics, antihistamines, blood pressure medication, and other prescription drugs can discolor teeth as a side effect.
- Trauma: Sustaining a mouth injury and a damaged tooth can cause intrinsic staining. These stains affect the inside of the tooth.
- Fluoride: An overexposure to fluoride can discolor the tooth enamel over time and cause white spots on your teeth.
We’ll find the right whitening treatment for you based on the cause of your stains. Please let us know if you have any medical conditions or if you take prescription medications, since these can sometimes cause changes in tooth color. We can create a safe plan that fits your needs.
Types of Teeth Whitening
Our dentists can use vital and non-vital teeth whitening treatments on your teeth. We offer both of these treatment options to our patients for their convenience. The dental hygienist will thoroughly clean your teeth before your in-office whitening treatment for the best possible results. The process from beginning to end will take approximately 30 minutes to an hour to complete.
Vital Whitening
Vital whitening is a teeth whitening treatment a dentist performs on normal healthy teeth. We offer an in-office bleaching treatment that is safer and more effective than store-bought whitening treatments or products.
Our dentist will perform the in-office teeth whitening procedure safely at our office. After covering up your teeth and gums for protection, we apply the bleaching gel to your teeth. Then our dentist will activate the bleaching agent with laser light. The entire procedure takes about an hour, and patients will see immediate results.
We can repeat this process over half an hour or up to 90 minutes. You may need several sessions, and the length of your treatment depends on the severity of your tooth staining. In-office treatment can brighten the shade of your tooth enamel by multiple shades.
Non-Vital Whitening
Dentists use non-vital whitening procedures on teeth with dead nerves. This means that the tooth has undergone root canal therapy and no longer has nerves in the middle chamber. To whiten these teeth, we can place bleaching gel inside the tooth and cover it with a temporary filling.
We may repeat this process several times for the best results. But not all stains respond well to teeth whitening products. If this is the case for your teeth, we may recommend dental bonding or porcelain veneers, which cover the tooth enamel to brighten it.
Teeth bonding is an affordable cosmetic treatment that can fix minor chips as well as dull, yellow, or stained teeth. Our dentist can whiten teeth that don’t respond to professional teeth bleaching methods with this treatment.
The bonding procedure involves the dentist applying a tooth-colored resin directly to the tooth. Our dentist will shape it by hand and cure the compound using a special light. Using a lighter-color resin will make the tooth appear whiter. To learn more about our tooth bonding process, visit Teeth bonding.
A porcelain veneer is a thin, custom-made shell that covers stains and discolorations. Our dentist will take impressions of your teeth and a dental lab will create the veneer to fit perfectly over your teeth. The dentist attaches each veneer to the front surface of the tooth, but not before shaving a little bit of tooth enamel off.
We can customize each veneer to create the desired shape and shade. We want to help you get a durable and aesthetically pleasing solution. To learn more about the porcelain veneer process, visit Porcelain veneers.
Patient Review
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Learn everything you need to know about our professional teeth whitening procedure. Continue reading through our frequently asked questions section to learn more. If you have additional questions or concerns, please reach out to our helpful office staff.
How long does teeth whitening last?
You can expect professional in-office teeth whitening results to last from six months to two years. At-home whitening kits may not offer the same level of white as professional services and take longer to see results. However, you can use them regularly after in-office whitening to maintain the final results even longer.
Can I get teeth whitening with cavities?
You should have your cavities filled before you get professional teeth bleaching services. Our dentists won’t perform a teeth whitening procedure if you have unaddressed cavities. We’ll evaluate your mouth for cavities and can provide tooth fillings first.
How do I prepare for teeth whitening?
You won’t need to do anything at home before your teeth whitening appointment. At your first visit, our dentist will perform a dental examination. Our registered dental hygienists (RDH) will perform a deep cleaning of your teeth before the whitening process begins. The hygienist will remove all your plaque and tartar to ensure the whitening product works and give you the best possible results.
Will a teeth whitening treatment affect dental prosthetics?
In-office power bleaching can remove deep stains from within natural teeth enamel. In most cases, our patients will find their teeth up to eight shades whiter after a single treatment session. But the whitening process won’t affect teeth with dental restorations and prosthetics. We can replace restorations if you want to maintain a whiter smile.
What should I avoid after teeth whitening?
You should avoid foods and beverages that stain teeth, including red wine, coffee, tea, and sodas with a dark color. Avoiding these foods and beverages will help maintain the whitening results. Daily brushing and flossing can also keep your teeth looking their best. Using in-home whitening products regularly will also keep your mouth brilliant and beautiful.
Can I get the same professional results if I whiten my teeth at home?
Professional teeth whitening solutions give you the best results. But you can take steps at home to gently brighten your teeth and prevent stains from developing. First, you can use a whitening toothpaste that contains gentle whitening agents. The paste will gradually whiten your teeth over time.
You can also try over-the-counter whitening strips or trays that contain peroxide to bleach your teeth. Follow the instructions for the best results and to prevent damage. Next, you can create a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Brush your teeth with it a few times a week to help whiten your teeth.
It can also help to gargle with diluted apple cider vinegar or swish coconut oil in your mouth. Do this for a few minutes each day to help remove bacteria and whiten your teeth. Remember to rinse your mouth afterward.
A natural way to remove surface stains is to eat more crunchy fruits and vegetables. Foods like apples, carrots, and celery can help scrub and clean your teeth. They can remove surface stains and are good for your overall health.
Is professional teeth whitening safe and effective?
Professional teeth whitening is safer and more effective than over-the-counter treatments. You’ll receive treatment under the supervision of a dentist who protects your gums and then applies the bleaching agent. Office treatment will minimize the risks of side effects like tooth sensitivity and discomfort.
Will teeth whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Some patients feel a little sensitivity after whitening, but it usually goes away in a few days. Our dentist can use a special gel or recommend a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. You can also avoid hot or cold drinks right after whitening, so your teeth don’t hurt.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have braces?
You want to wait to whiten your teeth if you have regular braces with brackets. Whitening your teeth while wearing braces can leave uneven spots where the brackets were. Ask our dentist about safe options until your braces are removed.
How often can I get my teeth professionally whitened?
Most patients can get a professional whitening every six months to a year. How often you get treatment will depend on how well you take care of your teeth. If you notice stains coming back sooner, you can do touch-ups with at-home products. Just be careful not to overdo it because it can make your teeth sensitive.
Is teeth whitening safe for teens?
Whitening can be safe for older teens, but we often recommend that patients wait until all their adult teeth are fully grown. Younger teeth can be more sensitive, so you want to check with a dentist before you start any whitening treatment. If your teen wants a whiter smile, we can suggest the safest way to do it or recommend waiting until they’re older.
Does dental insurance cover teeth whitening?
Most insurance plans don’t cover teeth whitening because it’s considered a cosmetic treatment. But don’t worry, we offer payment plans through LendingClub and CareCredit to make it more affordable. Ask us if you’re curious about costs and we’ll help you figure out your options.
Schedule a Consultation
Do you want whiter teeth? You can brighten yellowed, stained, and discolored teeth at Dental Implants & Cosmetic Dentistry of Towson. Call 410-324-2294 for cosmetic whitening treatments today. You can also request an appointment with Dr. Boenning and Dr. Dancykier on our website.