Teeth Whitening – Fairfax, VA
Get a Brighter Smile You're Proud of
Professional teeth whitening is a wonderful way to get a brighter smile you’re proud of! Performed at home or in our dental office, we can brighten your teeth by up to eight shades in as little as one visit if you choose in-office Zoom!. If you’d prefer, a take-home teeth whitening kit can provide dramatic results over the course of just two weeks. Do not hesitate to give us a call about which option for teeth whitening in Fairfax, VA may be best for you!
Who is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Tooth discoloration can be caused by a variety of different things. Here are a few of the most common culprits:
- Pigmented foods and beverages
- Tobacco use
- Sugary and acidic foods and beverages
- Aging
- Poor oral hygiene
- Genetics
- Certain medications
Some of the causes of tooth discoloration can be prevented, but some are out of your control. There are two main types of staining: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains occur on the surface of your teeth and are typically caused by foods, beverages, and tobacco products. This is the type of discoloration that is typically caused by foods, beverages, and tobacco products. It can usually be lifted with professional whitening. On the other hand, intrinsic stains can happen as a result of medications. They are something to discuss with your doctor and dentist.
How Does Teeth Whitening Work?
We offer two different types of teeth whitening so you can brighten your smile in whatever way you choose:
Take-Home Teeth Whitening
If you opt for our take-home option, you will need to come into the office so custom-fitted mouth trays can be designed to keep our strong whitening gel against your teeth. When you get home, all you’ll need to do is wear the trays and gel together for about 20 minutes a day for two weeks to achieve optimal results. Most patients notice a difference after just one session!
In-Office Teeth Whitening
At Fairfax Dental Group, we offer Zoom! teeth whitening because it’s not only effective, but it’s safe and quick as well. First, we will apply an extra strong yet gentle professional bleaching gel to your smile. Then, we’ll use a special heating lamp to penetrate the surface of your enamel, which helps to erase tough stains. This also makes the process incredibly fast, allowing patients to leave our dental office with a smile that is up to 8 shades brighter in about 45 minutes!
Tips for Maintaining Your Brighter Smile
The results of your teeth whitening will last much longer if you take the time to maintain it. Here are some tips to help you keep your pearly whites bright for as long as possible:
- Practice excellent oral hygiene. Brush twice and floss at least once a day.
- Stay away from dark-colored beverages, like coffee and red wine.
- Don’t use tobacco products.
- Attend your six-month dental cleanings and checkups.
- Come to see us for touch-up treatments as needed.
Understanding the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Before you get your teeth whitened by a professional, you’ll naturally want to know how much the procedure is likely to cost. However, the overall cost isn’t necessarily going to be the same for every patient; there are several factors that we’ll need to take into account before we can give you an estimate. Below are some the basics that you need to know when trying to fit a brighter smile into your budget.
Factors That Affect the Cost of Teeth Whitening
Each individual whitening session does typically have a set price, but some patients might need more treatments than others to get the results they want. Naturally, more treatments means a higher cost. The number of treatments required can depend on several different variables, such as:
- The type of discoloration. Some discolored spots are caused by medication, age, and exposure to certain foods. Furthermore, many stains are located on the surface of the enamel while others are actually inside the tooth. The kind of discoloration you have can impact how effective a single teeth whitening treatment is.
- The severity of the stain or discolored spot in question. Some stains will respond better to whitening treatments than others.
- Whether other procedures are needed first. If you’re told that you need a filling or another type of restoration before your whitening procedure, you’ll have to consider it along with your other dental costs.
Types of Teeth Whitening: What Do They Cost?
At our office, you can choose between take-home teeth whitening and in-office whitening. In-office whitening is usually between $400 and $800 while take-home whitening kits tend to only cost a few hundred. (It’s important to remember that with take-home whitening, you’ll need to wait at least two weeks to see results whereas an in-house procedure can give you a brighter smile right away.)
Over-the-counter whitening methods tend to have a lower cost than professional ones. Store-bought whitening trays are often around $100 or less, and the cheapest option, whitening strips, tends to be around $20 to $40 per box, which each box having enough strips to last up to two weeks.
Cost of Store-Bought Teeth Whitening vs. Professional Teeth Whitening
As you can tell from above, store-bought whitening tends to be more affordable than professional whitening. However, the downside is that they also tend to be far less effective. Many patients use over-the-counter whitening strips and trays for weeks or months and yet see little to no change in the color of their teeth. Meanwhile, professional whitening is more reliable due to the more powerful ingredients used during the process, and they tend to yield results much faster. In short, when it comes to whitening, it’s vital to remember that you get what you pay for.
Options for Making Teeth Whitening Affordable
Teeth whitening is almost never covered under dental insurance, as it’s a purely cosmetic procedure. However, it’s still eligible for a CareCredit financing, which breaks the cost of a given treatment into several monthly installments that fit more comfortably into your budget. Talk to our team to learn more about CareCredit and other payment options that can take the stress out of paying for your smile.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Am I a Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
It isn’t hard to qualify for teeth whitening. If your smile has stubborn stains and discoloration, you’ll likely be a good candidate for it. The result will then be a noticeably brighter grin.
All that said, the best way to confirm your candidacy is by visiting our office. Our dentists will conduct an oral exam at your consultation and see if treatment suits you. If your teeth and gums are “good to go,” then we’ll proceed with the whitening. Alternatively, we’ll address any untreated dental concerns first – cavities, gum disease, infections, etc.
Does Teeth Whitening Damage Enamel?
As a matter of fact, no – teeth whitening doesn’t harm healthy enamel. Dentists take steps to ensure that much. They wouldn’t offer the treatment if they didn’t or couldn’t.
Still, whitening gel can cause problems for compromised teeth. A tooth weakened by decay or gum disease may have its innards exposed. The gel could then reach a nerve and cause side effects. So, get a close dental exam before opting for a whitening treatment.
If you want to whiten your teeth, first consult your dentist. They can settle whether your smile is healthy enough for treatment. If it isn’t, they’ll suggest products and habits to help you achieve your smile goals.
Does Teeth Whitening Hurt?
Among some people, there’s a fear that teeth whitening hurts. This worry may prompt them to avoid treatment. However, whitening is nearly always a pain-free process.
To ensure great results, dentists tailor your whitening treatment just for you. They customize its features so it’ll truly suit your smile. By doing so, they reduce the risk of tooth sensitivity. You’re thus unlikely to face any discomfort.
As a precaution, you could further reduce your sensitivity risk. Just space out your treatments, avoid hot drinks, and use specialty toothpaste. These actions will keep aches and pains at bay.
Is Professional Teeth Whitening Worth the Cost?
You can rest assured that teeth whitening is worth the cost. After all, millions of patients who received the treatment have said as much.
Note that teeth whitening comes with many valuable perks. For a moderate fee, this safe and non-invasive treatment brightens your grin by many shades. Your newly-white teeth will then give others a better impression of you, leading to job hires, romance, and more. Research even shows that those with whiter smiles are viewed as younger.
All in all, the benefits above are priceless. Whitening will enrich your life with confidence, fun, and strong relationships. Given that fact, it’s worth the cost!
How Can I Reduce the Cost of Teeth Whitening?
If you want to whiten your teeth, but you aren’t quite sure if the price fits into your budget, don’t worry – we will provide you with an estimate of the cost at your consultation. Not only that, but we will review the financial solutions available, like CareCredit. This trusted third-party financier offers payment plans so you don’t have to pay for the entire cost of your treatment in one lump sum. That way, you can pursue the smile of your dreams without stressing about the cost!
What’s the Difference Between Professional and Store-Bought Teeth Whitening?
There are actually several noteworthy differences, starting with the fact that professional whitening treatments use custom applicators and brightening gels. They also start with a comprehensive oral exam to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy, and they consider the cause of the discoloration. In other words, although store-bought kits are cheaper, they aren’t necessarily better.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Treatment Take?
That depends! After all, take-home whitening treatments take about two weeks, but in-office treatments can deliver the results you desire in a single visit. Plus, it’s possible for preliminary care to be needed, like gum disease treatment, which could add a few weeks or months onto the front-end of your timeline. So, don’t wait until the last minute to schedule a consultation with our teeth whitening dentist near you!
Is Teeth Whitening Permanent?
Unfortunately, the results aren’t permanent. With that said, good oral hygiene habits like brushing and flossing consistently can keep your teeth nice and bright for 6+ months! At your biannual visits, we can discuss touch-up whitening treatments to ensure your pearly whites continue to live up to their name as well.
Can I Drink Coffee After Whitening My Teeth?
We don’t recommend drinking coffee immediately following your teeth whitening treatment. In fact, moving forward you should do your best to limit your intake of dark-colored beverages like this and, when you do indulge, use a straw to prevent the liquid from coming in contact with your teeth. Once you’re done, rinse your mouth thoroughly with clean water and brush your teeth about 20 minutes after that.
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Eat After My Teeth Whitening Treatment?
In an effort to prevent stubborn stains from quickly resurfacing, we recommend not eating tomato soup, blackberries, and the like. We also encourage our patients to steer clear of dark-colored sauces, like BBQ sauce, soy sauce, and marinara sauce. Instead, fill your plate with light-colored foods, like white fish, plain yogurt, and bananas.