Are you hiding your smile behind darkened, yellow, or stained teeth? Dr. Mojgan Mazhari can help you with a teeth whitening treatment. A teeth whitening procedure in our Alexandria dentist’s office can restore a healthier, more youthful appearance in as little as an hour of your time. We offer the highest quality products to reduce or eliminate sensitivity and other side effects.
Understanding Teeth Whitening Solutions
Teeth whitening can offer you a quick, economical smile makeover. Here are some options.
In-Office Teeth Whitening
Our in-office treatment takes about an hour to reduce tooth stains and darkening that occurs naturally as we age. Your teeth can be brightened up to eight shades whiter with this professional option and the experienced care offered by Dr. Mazhari.
It’s essential to start with clean, healthy teeth to ensure your results are effective and long-lasting. The process begins with applying a bleaching agent, which is then activated by a special light. While relaxing in the dentist's chair during treatment, you can enjoy music, television, or reading material.
This application is repeated several times throughout your hour-long treatment to attain optimal effects from the bleaching agent. Once complete, you can help to maintain your results with good oral hygiene and routine dental care. Avoiding coffee, tea, and other dark beverages also reduces future staining.
Opalescence Take-Home Whitening
Dr. Mazhari also offers the convenience of professional teeth whitening in the comfort of your own home.
You have a brief visit to our Northern Virginia dentist's office for impressions, which are then used to create custom-fit bleaching trays for use at home. This is an important step—and a key reason why a take-home kit from a dentist offers superior results compared to over-the-counter options. These custom trays ensure that the professional quality bleaching agent is distributed evenly on teeth surfaces while also reducing irritation and sensitivity.
Your results are revealed gradually over a couple of weeks but last a year or more with good oral hygiene and routine dental care. Periodic touch-ups can help to prolong the appearance of your fresh, white smile.
Before your treatment, Dr. Mazhari meets with you to evaluate your dental health, ensuring that our professional teeth whitening options suit you and meet your cosmetic goals. While most tooth stains and discoloration respond well to teeth whitening treatment, there are certain types of stains that may not, such as those caused by certain medications or medical conditions.
Alternatives to Teeth Whitening
If you have tooth stains that aren’t resolved by whitening your teeth, Dr. Mazhari can recommend alternative treatments that offer more permanent results. Options that will address discolored teeth can include:
- Tooth bonding
- Dental crowns
- Lumineers
- Porcelain veneers