Teeth Whitening in Gaithersburg, MD
Serving the Gaithersburg, MD community
At Lakeforest Dental Associates or top Gaithersburg dentists know how disheartening stained teeth can be. You're ready for a big life event—college graduation, new job, retirement party—you have a great outfit, but your smile leaves something to be desired.
Nothing makes a better first impression than a bright smile because it's your most prominent facial feature. Additionally, when we are confident in the appearance of our teeth, it shows. We laugh more. We aren't afraid to smile.
Unfortunately, teeth stain over time. Years of coffee or tea—not to mention smoking and certain medications—leave teeth discolored and dull. Teeth also lose brightness as we age, even if we're not coffee drinkers and have never smoked a cigarette.
Stains collect in the pores of teeth and eventually create a yellow or brownish appearance. Unfortunately, this is not something that your toothbrush can fix.
One of the most inexpensive and effective ways to brighten your smile is with a professional tooth whitening in our Gaithersburg, MD dental office. Our teeth whitening process lifts stains from teeth pores to give you the bright smile you've been looking for.
If you would like to schedule an appointment for a teeth-whitening consultation, contact Lakeforest Dental Associates today at (301) 690-8526 or you can schedule online. Our skilled hygienist is standing by to bring you a winning smile today.
When it comes to brilliant smiles, Dr. Daftary and Dr. Zaner have helped countless patients, and they have years of experience turning yellow teeth white!
- Am I a good candidate for professional teeth whitening?
- What is the professional teeth whitening process?
- What if my teeth feel sensitive when I use my whitening trays at home?
- Will professional teeth whitening weaken my teeth?
- Can I combine professional teeth whitening with another cosmetic dentistry option?
- How long will my professional teeth whitening results last?
- What is the difference between professional teeth whitening and drugstore kits?
- Do you offer any financing options for professional teeth whitening?
Am I a good candidate for professional teeth whitening?
If you're healthy and have few dental issues, you should be a good candidate for professional teeth whitening. However, a member of our Gaithersburg dental team will assess your teeth and gums to make sure a professional teeth whitening treatment is a good option for you. We may also evaluate your medical health history.
Some of the following issues may exclude you as a candidate:
- Periodontal disease
- Cavities
- Tooth sensitivity or allergy to the prescription gel
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Dental restorations
However, we always recommend coming in for a consultation. In some cases, our dentists can offer an alternative to our professional teeth whitening therapies, including a lower dosage of our prescription-strength whitening gel.
During your consultation, you can also mention anything that you feel is relevant, including health-related issues or past allergies.
What is the professional teeth whitening process?
At Lakeforest Dental Associates, we offer two teeth whitening options for your convenience, and both options rely on the ZOOM! professional teeth whitening system. We have found this system to be the best, and our Gaithersburg patients have been delighted with their results.
The first option calls for you using ZOOM! at home. The ZOOM! take-home teeth whitening system starts with a consultation in our dental office.
Following this, we take a mold of your mouth to create a custom tray. This custom tray is yours to take home, along with our prescription-strength whitening gel.
With this option, you can whiten your teeth on your schedule.
We also offer ZOOM! in-office whitening. The steps are similar to the take-home option, but we incorporate a light therapy, which brings faster results for you. This is the best option if you have a life event on the short horizon—college graduation, retirement party, family reunion.
What if my teeth feel sensitive when I use my whitening trays at home?
A small number of patients who opt to whiten their teeth at home experience tooth sensitivity, but this is generally not a concern for everyone.
Often, patients with gum recession have the most sensitivity due to exposed roots or mouth cuts. It is important to remember that sensitivity is temporary and does not cause future problems with teeth, though it can be uncomfortable at the time.
We offer custom take-home teeth whitening kits in our Gaithersburg, MD dental office for patients to use over two to three weeks to achieve a dramatically whiter smile.
When we deliver your whitening trays, we will demonstrate how to use them properly. Following instructions precisely will reduce the likelihood of tooth sensitivity developing.
- Use only a small dot of whitening gel per tooth.
- Do not overfill trays because the solution can ooze over the top and irritate your gums and surrounding tissue.
- Avoid leaving trays in for extended periods and follow the instructions.
- Wipe any excess gel from your gums and inner cheeks
You can also try sensitivity toothpaste to reduce symptoms. For patients with severe sensitivity, Dr. Neil Daftary or Dr. Robert Zaner can reduce the strength of the whitening gel, apply fluoride varnish to the teeth, or recommend a desensitizing agent so that you can have a white smile without pain.
In any case, tooth sensitivity during professional teeth whitening treatments is usually temporary.
Will professional teeth whitening weaken my teeth?
Dr. Daftary and Dr. Zaner will make sure you're a good candidate for teeth whitening before prescribing our ZOOM! tooth whitening treatment.
If you follow the directions and don't over-apply the solution or leave it on longer than recommended, you should not have any trouble.
However, if you notice anything unusual—sensitivity, soreness, dry mouth—don't hesitate to call our Gaithersburg dental office.
Can I combine professional teeth whitening with another cosmetic dentistry option?
We always recommend an assessment with one of our skilled cosmetic dentists before making any decisions. However, most healthy adults are good candidates for cosmetic dentistry, which includes combining cosmetic dental options with professional teeth whitening treatments.
For example, you may want to whiten your teeth before getting porcelain veneers or another cosmetic restoration. When you do this, you can choose a lighter veneer shade to match your brighter smile.
When you schedule an assessment with one of our Gaithersburg cosmetic dentists, you can go over all the possibilities and learn about other cosmetic dental options that you can combine with your professional teeth whitening treatment.
These options may include:
- Dental implants
- Dental crowns
- Dental bridges
How long will my professional teeth whitening results last?
Professional tooth whitening lasts three years or longer. However, if you avoid teeth-staining foods and drinks like red wine, tea, or coffee, and if you don't smoke, your results may last much longer.
Additionally, if you choose our ZOOM! take-home system, you can touch up your smile periodically when your teeth need a little boost of brightness.
Ask a member of our Gaithersburg dental team to give you some tips for getting the most value out of your professional teeth whitening treatment.
What is the difference between professional teeth whitening and drugstore kits?
While the goal of all whitening treatments is to help you achieve a whiter, brighter smile, not all teeth whitening products are created equal.
Over-the-counter products such as whitening strips or whitening toothpastes are not specifically designed for the shape or size of your mouth. Generic strips or non-custom trays can slip, slide, and shift on your teeth—leaving you with inconsistent results and areas that do not receive uniform amounts of whitening. Additionally, loose-fitting trays can cause gum and tissue irritation.
Over-the-counter products are not prescription strength and have not been approved for your smile by a dental professional!
Too often, we encounter patients who have used store-bought products only to be disappointed with the outcome.
Do you offer any financing options for professional teeth whitening?
Our Gaithersburg team does not want cost to stand in the way of helping you achieve a whiter smile. This is why we offer various financing options to help you budget your dental work.
Lakeforest Dental Associates offers financing to patients who want to achieve their dental goals. We work with several financing programs, including:
- CareCredit
- beWell
- LendingClub
- Citi Health Cards
We also accept most major credit cards, including:
- American Express
- MasterCard
- Visa
You can discuss financing options at your teeth whitening assessment with a member of our caring Gaithersburg dental team.
Has your smile lost a bit of its sparkle and luster? Do you wish your teeth were whiter and brighter? You might be surprised at what a difference 
A small percentage of patients who opt to whiten their teeth experience sensitivity. Often, patients with gum recession have the most sensitivity due to exposed roots. It is important to remember that sensitivity is temporary and does not cause future problems with teeth, though it can be uncomfortable at the time. 
If you are like many of our Gaithersburg patients who are considering 
At Lake Forest Dental Associates, we’ve used a number of different 
