If you have stained or discolored teeth, Dr. David Rever can help you get a brighter, whiter smile. He is a top cosmetic dentist in Silver Spring. Dr. Rever offers in-office teeth whitening and custom take-home whitening kits.
Do you have yellow or brown stains? Many factors can cause embarrassing stains on your teeth. Fortunately, there are ways to remove stains and prevent them from getting worse. With the right steps, you can keep your smile bright and attractive. Our dental office will help you find the best whitening solution for your yellow teeth.
Teeth Whitening in Silver Spring, MD: What to Expect
Getting professional whitening treatment can boost your confidence in your smile. We offer both in-office and take-home whitening options for your convenience.
In-Office Professional Teeth Whitening
Dr. Rever offers a quick and effective way to achieve a brighter smile with professional in-office teeth whitening. The whitening treatment can take as little as one hour to complete. This process delivers fast results while ensuring your comfort and safety.
- A Quick and Thorough Cleaning: The whitening process begins with a thorough cleaning of your teeth. Dr. Rever removes plaque, tartar, and any bacterial buildup to prepare your teeth for the whitening treatment. This step ensures the whitening gel can work evenly across all surfaces for the best results.
- Protecting Your Gums: Dr. Rever applies a protective barrier to safeguard your gums during the procedure. This special covering ensures the whitening gel only affects your teeth, preventing irritation or discomfort to your soft tissues.
- Application of Advanced Whitening Gel: After we prepare your teeth, Dr. Rever applies a high-quality hydrogen peroxide gel to your enamel. This gel will break down stains and discoloration on the surface of your teeth. For about an hour, the gel works to lift stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, smoking, or aging.
During this time, Dr. Rever monitors the process closely to ensure even whitening and optimal results. If necessary, he may reapply the gel to target stubborn stains.
After the whitening gel has worked its magic, Dr. Rever carefully removes it and rinses your teeth, revealing a noticeably whiter smile. Many patients see their teeth brighten by several shades before leaving the office.
Take-Home Whitening Kit
This teeth whitening method is ideal for people who want to achieve excellent results in the comfort of their homes. Once you consult with Dr. Rever, he will take a mold of your teeth. Then, he will create a customized whitening tray that fits only your teeth. You will return to our office for a fitting when the tray is complete.
Then, at home, you will fill the trays with a whitening gel and leave them on for about an hour each night. At-home whitening kits are a convenient and gradual way to whiten teeth.
Types of Stains That Darken Teeth
Two types of stains can affect your teeth and they have different causes:
Extrinsic Tooth Stains
These stains form on the surface of your teeth. Many things can cause these stains, such as:
- Foods and Beverages: Drinks with dark pigments, foods with staining agents, and sugary foods and drinks can stain teeth over time. Berries, soda, coffee, tea, and red wine are common causes of tooth stains.
- Smoking: If you vape, smoke cigarettes, or use other tobacco products, you are more likely to experience yellow teeth. The nicotine contained in tobacco sticks to the tooth enamel. You may notice your teeth yellowing as you continue to consume tobacco.
- Age: As you age, Certain medications and medical conditions you experience over time can cause tooth discoloration. Antihistamines, antipsychotics, and other medications can stain teeth. Additionally, years of using tobacco and consuming staining foods and drinks can build on teeth over time.
Our professional teeth whitening treatments in Silver Spring, MD, can easily remove surface stains from teeth. These stains are the most common and easiest to prevent. Dental cleanings and good oral hygiene can sometimes remove these stains. However, our whitening treatment can lift years of stains and reveal whiter teeth much faster.
Intrinsic Tooth Stains
While extrinsic stains form on the surface of your teeth, intrinsic stains form below the enamel in the dentin. Dentin is the darker underlayer beneath the outer tooth enamel. An injury, dental fluorosis, or certain medications like tetracycline can cause intrinsic stains. Intrinsic stains are harder to remove with whitening.
Sometimes, our dentist may suggest masking these stains with bonding or porcelain veneers. Dental bonding uses tooth-colored compounds that can change the shape and color of teeth. Veneers are thin shells that bond to the front of the tooth enamel. Most intrinsic stains don’t harm your teeth.
Teeth whitening is an easy and cost-effective way to improve your smile. Our professional whitening systems give you long-lasting and quick results. We can complete an in-office procedure in about 30 minutes to an hour. Before you decide which method to use, Dr. Rever will examine your overall dental condition.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
Discover more about professional teeth whitening with answers to the following common questions.
How long does teeth whitening last?
Teeth whitening isn’t permanent, but it can last up to three years with good care. How long your results last depends on how well you care for your teeth. For example, the results might last only six months if you smoke or eat stain-causing foods.
Can teeth whitening fix gray teeth?
Whitening usually works on surface stains. Gray teeth have deeper issues that regular whitening can’t fix. For gray teeth, other treatments like porcelain veneers or dental crowns might be a better choice. Learn more about dental crowns.
How do dental crowns treat stained teeth?
Dental crowns can help treat tooth stains by covering the stained tooth with a new, clean cap made from materials like porcelain or ceramic. These materials are tooth-colored and can be matched to the color of your natural teeth, so the crown looks natural and bright.
A dental crown is a good solution if a tooth is heavily stained and doesn’t respond to whitening treatments because it hides the stains completely. We can also recommend a crown if you have a worn or damaged tooth. The cap protects the tooth from further damage and also improves the appearance of the smile.
Will teeth whitening cause my teeth to be more sensitive?
After professional teeth whitening, you might feel some tooth sensitivity at first. This usually goes away in a few days. Using whitening products too often can harm your teeth and cause long-lasting sensitivity. If you use over-the-counter whitening products, follow the directions and wait a while before using them again.
Is teeth whitening for everyone?
Yes, many patients qualify for our affordable teeth whitening services. There’s only a few cases where teeth whitening might not suit you. Dr. Rever will better understand which whitening treatment will work best for your needs after a dental exam.
Can you whiten veneers?
No, you can’t whiten veneers because they are made from materials like porcelain. They don’t respond to whitening treatments like natural teeth. If your veneers become stained, you might need to replace them or have them polished by our dentist.
If you’re unhappy with the color of your veneers, talk to our dentist about options. They can recommend ways to make them look brighter or replace them with new veneers that match your desired shade.
How old do you have to be to get professional teeth whitening?
You typically have to be at least 16 years old to get professional teeth whitening in our Silver Spring, MD, office. If you’re younger than 16, your teeth and gums may still develop, so teeth whitening might not be right for you.
Talk to our dentist to see if you’re a good candidate for teeth whitening based on your age, dental health, and the type of stains on your teeth.
Can too much fluoride discolor teeth?
Yes, too much fluoride can discolor teeth. This condition is called dental fluorosis. It happens when young children get too much fluoride while their teeth develop. Fluorosis can cause white spots or streaks on the teeth. in more severe cases, the teeth can look brown or streaky.
Fluoride is good for your teeth, but you must use the right amount. For example, using a small amount of fluoride toothpaste and ensuring young children don’t swallow it can help prevent fluorosis. If you’re concerned about fluoride or are getting too much, talk to our dentist.
Brighten Your Teeth Today!
Please schedule an appointment to visit us for teeth whitening in our Silver Spring, MD dental office. Call us at (301) 637-0960 or request a dental appointment online.