Teeth Whitening: An Overview
Are you looking for an effective and fast way to brighten and whiten your smile?
Teeth whitening can be an instant, economic smile makeover that will take years off of your smile and overall appearance. Rockville cosmetic dentist Dr. Ali Sarkarzadeh will evaluate your dental health and discuss your cosmetic goals before your teeth whitening treatment.
Various factors cause tooth stains and will determine which treatment option will yield optimal results. Our Montgomery County dentist office offers a variety of take-home and in-office whitening treatments.
For patients with dark spots or stains caused by medications, medical conditions, or genetics, additional cosmetic procedures may be necessary to improve the smile’s appearance. Discoloration caused by medicine may not respond to a teeth whitening treatment. Dr.Sarkarzadeh offers alternative cosmetic treatments such as tooth bonding, dental veneers, or dental crowns that can improve the aesthetics of your smile.
Teeth Whitening in Rockville
Dr. Ali Sarkarzadeh offers affordable and convenient tooth whitening options for any budget. We offer both in-office and at-home tooth whitening options. Your whitening treatment will be customized to meet your needs and cosmetic goals. Your treatment will have minimal side effects such as tooth and gum sensitivity. Additionally, we offer more permanent options for people who want their whitening results to last longer.
In-Office Zoom Whitening
The Zoom whitening procedure is simple, painless, and offers exceptional results. In about one hour, Dr. Sarkarzadeh can brighten your teeth up to 8 shades whiter. Professional-grade whitening gel formula penetrates the tooth’s surface when activated by a special light. Zoom teeth whitening treatments minimize tooth sensitivity, a common side effect of lesser quality, and over-the-counter brands.
Dr. Sarkarzadeh will apply a special hydrogen peroxide whitening gel to your teeth. Then he will activate the whitening gel with the Zoom!™ light for about 15 minutes. The light helps the gel penetrate the teeth to lighten stains and discoloration. This process is repeated three times to achieve optimal whitening results.
After your Zoom teeth whitening treatment, you may experience mild tooth sensitivity. This side effect should subside in less than three days. We will take several measures during your treatment to minimize tooth sensitivity.
Take-Home Whitening Kits
Take-home teeth whitening kits are an easy way to give your smile a healthy, radiant look. These kits include a gel that you will apply to your teeth with a special applicator, and then leave on for a couple of minutes. Some of the more advanced take-home whitening kits include an LED light that enhances the process by activating the peroxide in the gel.
Take-home whitening kits allow patients to whiten their teeth from the comfort of their homes. Dr. Sarkarzadeh will create custom-fit trays that you will use at home to evenly distribute whitening gel to the surface of your teeth. You will wear these trays for a predetermined amount of time each night. Results are gradual, and teeth will whiten over a few weeks of use. Take-home whitening kits offer a more natural whitening treatment.
Other Teeth Whitening Options
Dr. Ali Sarkarzadeh will analyze your smile to determine if professional teeth whitening is the proper treatment for you. In some cases, tooth whitening may not be able to help you reach your goals. We offer several cosmetic procedures that can whiten teeth if this is the case. Dr. Sarkarzadeh may suggest porcelain veneers or dental crowns to brighten your smile.
Teeth Bonding
Dental bonding is a cosmetic treatment that can whiten teeth. The process involves placing tooth-colored composite resin material on teeth to alter their appearance. Your dentist will need to roughen up the tooth’s surface to aid in the bonding process. Dr. Sarkarzaden will apply the resin to the entire surface of the tooth to make the tooth appear brighter.
Tooth bonding is an excellent choice to whiten teeth if professional tooth whitening is not an option. It is not a permanent solution like porcelain veneers, but bonding is more affordable and can quickly brighten your smile. To learn more about dental bonding and to see if it can help you achieve a whiter smile, see Teeth Bonding.
Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are popular cosmetic restorations that can enhance the appearance of teeth. Teeth veneers are thin shells of porcelain that Dr. Sarkarzadeh will bond to the front part of the teeth. We will custom-design them to fit perfectly to provide a natural, attractive smile.
Porcelain veneers will make your teeth appear whiter as well as provide strength and durability. You can select the shade of your porcelain to achieve the level of whitening you desire. While porcelain veneers are more expensive than tooth bonding, they are a permanent solution to stained teeth and will last much longer. To learn about the dental veneer process, see Porcelain Veneers.
Dental Crowns
Another option to whiten your teeth is with dental crowns. This is a good solution if your discolored tooth is also damaged. A crown covers the entire tooth, down to the gum line.
Dr. Sarkarzadeh will reduce the tooth in size and create a crown that will “cap” the tooth. We can customize the crown’s color to make your tooth appear whiter and brighter. Dental crowns provide a long-lasting solution for discolored or stained teeth. To learn about the dental crown process, see Dental Crown.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
If you would like to learn more about professional teeth whitening, we have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions and answers our patients ask. Contact our office if we fail to address your questions or concerns. We can also help you decide which whitening treatment will work best for you.
Is professional teeth whitening at the dentist permanent?
No. There is no type of teeth whitening or bleaching procedure that gives you permanent results. Be skeptical if someone is offering permanent teeth whitening results. There are other cosmetic dental procedures that can give you a permanently white smile, but teeth whitening is not one of them. Consider dental veneers or tooth bonding for more permanent results.
Will I have sensitive teeth after teeth whitening?
Yes, although this symptom of teeth whitening is temporary and goes away days after treatment. Sensitive teeth after teeth whitening can mean that you have weak tooth enamel. It is not a serious symptom, but you should follow up with your dentist if it lasts for more than a week.
How many teeth whitening treatments do I need?
Most patients get one to two treatments to achieve their ideal results. Teeth whitening at the dentist can leave your teeth up to 8 shades brighter. If you want your results to last longer, you will need regular follow-up treatments. Keep an excellent oral health routine, avoid smoking, and drink fewer sugary drinks to elongate your results.
How long do your teeth stay white after whitening?
After professional whitening treatment, most patients’ teeth stay white for up to 2-3 years or as little as 6 months. The length that whitening lasts varies from patient to patient, depending on their oral care routine and diet. Smoking will also make whitening effects wear away quicker.
Does teeth whitening damage the enamel of your teeth?
Whitening does not damage tooth enamel, contrary to popular belief. Dentin is the part of the tooth that regulates color. Professional teeth whitening will not harm your tooth enamel during the teeth whitening process.
Schedule a Consultation for Teeth Whitening in Rockville, MD
Are you looking for an expert cosmetic dentist that offers teeth whitening in Rockville, MD? Dr. Ali Sarkarzadeh offers many methods to whiten teeth including professional tooth whitening. To book your appointment, call (301) 276-4694 or request an appointment online.