Teeth Whitening Cary, NC
Professional Teeth Whitening Cary, NC
Professional teeth whitening is one of the fastest, most affordable ways to refresh your smile. At Alliance Dentistry, we offer both in-office whitening for immediate results and custom take-home trays for gradual whitening on your schedule. Every treatment is supervised by our dentists, so you get safe, even results without the guesswork of store-bought products.
Call 919-363-3100 to schedule your whitening consultation.
What Causes Teeth to Stain?
Most discoloration comes from everyday habits. Coffee, tea, red wine, soda, and tobacco leave stains on the surface of your teeth over time. Aging also plays a role: as enamel gradually thins, more of the yellower layer underneath shows through. The good news is that most of these stains respond well to professional whitening.
In-Office vs. Take-Home Whitening
We offer two professional whitening options, and your dentist can help you choose the one that fits your goals, schedule, and budget.
In-Office Whitening
In-office whitening uses a stronger whitening gel than you can use at home, so you’ll see a noticeable difference in a single visit.
- Best for: fast results, such as before a wedding, graduation, or other big event
- Pros: immediate results, no trays to wear, and your dentist controls the process from start to finish
- Cons: costs more than take-home whitening, and temporary sensitivity is more common
Custom Take-Home Trays
We take impressions or scans of your teeth and make custom-fitted trays, then provide a professional-strength whitening gel to use at home.
- Best for: gradual whitening on your own schedule, and patients with sensitive teeth
- Pros: lower cost, gentler whitening, and you can reuse the trays for touch-ups for years
- Cons: results take a few weeks, and you need to wear the trays consistently
Many patients combine the two: an in-office treatment for a quick boost, then take-home trays to maintain their results.
What to Expect During Professional Whitening
- Exam and cleaning. Whitening works best on clean, healthy teeth. We’ll examine your teeth, remove plaque and tartar, and treat any cavities or gum problems first.
- Choosing your shade. We’ll record your current shade and talk about realistic results for your teeth.
- Protecting your gums. For in-office whitening, we place a protective barrier over your gums before applying the whitening gel.
- Whitening. The gel is applied and left on for a set time, then may be reapplied, depending on your treatment plan. For take-home whitening, we’ll show you how to use your trays and how long to wear them.
- Aftercare. We’ll give you tips for managing sensitivity and keeping your smile bright.
Is Teeth Whitening Safe?
Professional whitening supervised by a dentist is safe for most adults. The most common side effects are temporary tooth sensitivity and mild gum irritation, which usually fade within a few days. To stay comfortable, avoid very hot or cold foods and drinks right after treatment, and use a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Learn more about whether teeth whitening is safe.
Whitening With Crowns, Veneers, or Fillings
Whitening gel only works on natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers, bonding, and tooth-colored fillings won’t change color, so if you whiten your natural teeth, your dental work may no longer match.
If you’re planning new dental work, whiten first. After whitening, your tooth color needs about two weeks to settle. Then we can match your new crowns, veneers, or fillings to your brighter shade.
If you already have visible dental work, talk with us before whitening. We may recommend whitening your natural teeth first, then updating the restorations that no longer match. If whitening alone won’t give you the look you want, veneers may be a better option.
Teeth Whitening After Braces
Braces don’t stain teeth on their own, but brackets and wires make brushing and flossing harder. Plaque that builds up around brackets can leave yellow stains or white spots where minerals have been lost from the enamel.
Whiten after your braces come off, not before, since whitening before braces can leave uneven color where the brackets were. Many dentists recommend waiting a few months after braces are removed. That gives your teeth time to settle, and some discoloration often fades on its own. White spots may look more noticeable at first after whitening, so we’ll assess them before recommending treatment.
Straightening with Invisalign® instead of braces avoids bracket stains, since you remove the aligners to brush and floss.
Professional Whitening vs. Store-Bought Products
- Whitening toothpaste removes some surface stains but doesn’t change the natural color of your teeth. It’s best for maintaining results after professional whitening.
- Whitening strips can lighten teeth somewhat, but one-size-fits-all strips don’t fit every tooth, so results can be uneven.
- Custom take-home trays fit your teeth exactly, for more even results, and they’re reusable.
- In-office whitening gives the fastest, most dramatic results, all supervised by your dentist.
Whatever you choose, look for products that carry the ADA Seal of Acceptance, and ask your dentist before starting, especially if you have sensitive teeth or dental work. Here’s what to know before starting teeth whitening.
When Whitening Isn’t Enough
Some stains start inside the tooth, such as those from certain medications, injury, or too much fluoride during childhood. These deep stains often don’t respond well to whitening. In those cases, veneers, bonding, or crowns can cover the discoloration and give you the bright smile you want. Explore all of our cosmetic dentistry options.
Teeth Whitening FAQs
How long do whitening results last?
Results typically last from several months to a few years, depending on your habits. Coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco cause stains to return faster. Touch-ups with your custom trays help keep your smile bright. Read more about how long whitening results last.
How often can I whiten my teeth?
It depends on the method and on how your teeth respond. Overdoing it can increase sensitivity, so follow your dentist’s guidance. Learn how long to wait between whitening treatments.
Does insurance cover teeth whitening?
Whitening is a cosmetic treatment, so most dental insurance plans don’t cover it. We’ll give you a clear price before treatment.
Is whitening right for everyone?
Whitening isn’t recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and it’s usually best to wait until your teens. If you have cavities, gum disease, or very sensitive teeth, we’ll treat those first or suggest a gentler approach.
Schedule Your Teeth Whitening in Cary
Ready for a brighter smile? We’ll check your teeth, talk about your goals, and recommend the whitening option that’s right for you. Call Alliance Dentistry at 919-363-3100 or request an appointment today.