Are you ready to improve your smile and boost your confidence for that upcoming reunion, wedding, or special occasion? Teeth whitening, or bleaching, is a safe and cheap way to brighten your smile. Professional teeth whitening is one of the most popular dental services we offer at Annapolis Smiles. In less than two weeks, your custom take-home teeth whitening kit from our Annapolis, MD office can brighten your smile. This can boost your confidence and provide you with a more youthful look.
Teeth whitening is the perfect answer for a quick and painless smile makeover. Dr. Finlay and Associates offer professional teeth whitening for patients in the Baltimore and Annapolis area. All new patients receive a free take-home whitening kit.
Dr. Finlay was featured on What’s Up Media in an informative article about teeth whitening. Read the article here.
Why Do I Have Tooth Stains?
You may have yellowed, stained, and discolored teeth for multiple reasons:
- Foods and Drinks: Wine, coffee, tomato-based sauces, and other foods and drinks can stain your teeth over time. Highly pigmented foods and beverages can still stain, even if you brush and floss daily. Acidic foods and drinks can also wear down teeth over time, leading to discoloration.
- Poor Oral Health Care: Your teeth can appear discolored if you do not brush and floss regularly. Plaque, a bacterial film, can cover your teeth, making them appear yellow.
- Tobacco Products: You may have yellow teeth if you smoke, vape, or use other tobacco products. Nicotine contained in tobacco easily turns the teeth yellow over time.
- Aging: Over time, tooth wear can change the color of your teeth. As your outer tooth layer, or enamel, wears down, it exposes dentin, a darker-colored underlayer that can make your teeth appear discolored.
- Medications: Some types of medications can have the side effect of tooth discoloration. For this reason, we may ask about the current medications you take. This way, we can see if you have tooth discoloration because of your medicine.
At-Home Teeth Whitening in Annapolis, MD
Store-bought teeth whitening products are cheap, making them tempting to buy. However, they do not offer the same results as professional teeth whitening. Store-bought strips, pens, and gels are often inconsistent. Even though there are many over-the-counter teeth whitening options, professional teeth whitening will deliver noticeable results faster.
The best option for teeth whitening involves a higher investment but generates more comfortable, consistent, and long-lasting results. Cheap teeth whitening solutions require more work and generate much poorer results.
We offer a professional at-home whitening treatment with custom-fit bleaching trays. This provides even results with less irritation and tooth sensitivity. Custom trays are worn at night while you sleep or during another period of the day. In just a few rounds of treatment, you will notice a major improvement in the color and brightness of your smile.
Permanent Results
When properly maintained, teeth whitening results can be permanent. However, it is normal for teeth to become darker over time. Certain foods and drinks, such as coffee, tea, and sodas, can cause yellow or brown stains on teeth.
Childhood medications or illnesses, tobacco use, and bad oral hygiene habits are also reasons your teeth may become discolored. As long as you’re an active patient in our office, you’ll receive a complimentary whitening kit to maintain your white smile.
There will be an additional fee if you need a new whitening tray. This program is retroactive if you have maintained consecutive dental cleanings twice a year since your professional whitening.
The Teeth Whitening Process in Annapolis, MD
Dr. Finlay will meet with you to evaluate your dental health and discuss your cosmetic goals. This will ensure that you have realistic expectations and that teeth whitening is safe.
The first step is to take impressions of your teeth. We will use these to make your new take-home custom bleaching trays. The trays will ensure an even application of the bleaching agent. Custom whitening trays also help minimize gum irritation, a common side effect with over-the-counter whitening options.
Your take-home teeth whitening kit will contain a set of bleaching trays and quality whitening gel. We will provide instructions on how to apply the trays and how long to wear them daily. For most patients, results slowly emerge over 10 to 14 days.
A professional whitening treatment can treat tooth discoloration caused by age, certain lifestyle habits, and some medical concerns. For tooth stains that may not respond to a teeth whitening treatment, we offer restorative and cosmetic dentistry treatments with more permanent results.
Cosmetic and Restorative Options
Porcelain veneers and dental crowns are effective options if you have intrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains build up within the tooth. We cannot remove these types of stains with whitening treatment. However, professional whitening can remove extrinsic stains or stains in the outer tooth layer.
We can also recommend veneers if you have tooth damage in addition to tooth stains. Dental veneers are shells of porcelain that we bond to the front of each tooth. Veneers can cover one or all of the teeth in your smile zone or the teeth that show when you smile. Crowns are caps that fully cover single teeth. We recommend tooth-colored crowns that we color-match so they blend in with your other natural teeth.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Learn more about teeth whitening in our Annapolis, MD office with answers to these commonly asked questions:
Will teeth whitening leave me with tooth sensitivity?
The bleaching gel may give some patients temporary sensitivity to hot and cold foods. This is due to the whitening material working to remove stains and expose white tooth enamel. It is only temporary and will go away within a couple of days.
Should I get my teeth cleaned before teeth whitening?
Yes, get your teeth cleaned before you have them whitened. A professional cleaning removes plaque and tartar from your teeth, which can make the whitening treatment work better. When your teeth are clean, the whitening gel can evenly reach the surface of each tooth.
Getting your teeth cleaned first also helps make sure there are no hidden problems, like cavities or gum issues, that could affect the whitening results. After the cleaning, your teeth will be in the best shape for the whitening process, and you’ll likely get better results.
Will teeth whitening fix my discolored restorations?
No. Teeth whitening can not brighten or whiten old crowns, dental veneers, or dentures. This is due to the material used to create these restorations.
Teeth whitening only brightens real tooth enamel. We can repair old restorations or replace them with new modern options.
Are there side effects to teeth whitening?
Yes, teeth whitening can have some side effects, but they are usually temporary. The most common side effect is tooth sensitivity to hot or cold. Some people might also have irritated gums for a short time. These effects usually go away after a few days. If you have any concerns, talk to our dentist.
What is the best way to keep my teeth white?
The best way to maintain results is to avoid certain things after teeth whitening treatment. This includes avoiding coffee, soda, wine, and smoking tobacco for a couple of days.
This will ensure that your treatment lasts for a while. You should also reduce these foods and beverages to help your results last longer.
Is teeth whitening safe for my enamel?
Yes, teeth whitening is safe for your enamel when done correctly. Professional whitening treatments are designed to protect your teeth. However, you must follow our dentist’s instructions and not overuse whitening products. If you have any concerns, talk to our dentist before starting treatment to ensure it’s right for you.
Can teeth whitening remove all stains?
Teeth whitening can remove most surface stains, like those from coffee, tea, or smoking. However, it may not work as well on deep or older stains inside the tooth. If your teeth are stained from injury, medications, or other factors, whitening may not completely remove them.
However, our dentist can help you find the best solution for your stains. He may recommend options like veneers or bonding to treat these stains.
Is teeth whitening treatment permanent?
All teeth whitening treatments, whether done at the dentist or not, are not permanent. You will need routine treatment to keep your teeth perfectly white for a long time. Brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist will ensure your treatment lasts longer. Caring for your teeth after whitening can mean fewer follow-up treatments.
Get Brighter Teeth
See the difference that professional teeth whitening treatment can make in your smile. Fill out the form on this page or call 410.989.7132 to request an appointment today. Please let us know at your next visit if you have more questions about teeth whitening. We are here to help.