Teeth Whitening in Seattle

Teeth whitening is a cosmetic dentistry procedure that uses a special type of compound called peroxide, which is a bleaching agent. The most common types of peroxide are carbamide peroxide and hydrogen peroxide.
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When these compounds come into contact with the organic tooth stains on your enamel, they “break” the chemical bonds that hold stains onto your teeth. This “bleaches” them away, leaving your teeth a natural, brilliant shade of white.
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Depending on your preference, you can have your teeth whitened at our office or at home. In our office, treatment typically only takes about an hour. Dr. Bean or Dr. Yoni will paint a special peroxide gel onto your teeth, and use a UV light to excite the molecules, providing powerful, fast whitening results.
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If you prefer, we can also make you a custom set of teeth whitening trays, which you can wear at home to whiten your teeth on your own schedule.

This depends on a few factors. While in-office whitening is typically a bit more expensive, it delivers faster results, as take-home whitening trays may require several weeks of wear for the treatment to be completed.
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However, some patients prefer to whiten their teeth more gradually, as the results will be more subtle. It all comes down to your budget, personal preferences, and how quickly you would like to whiten your teeth. Dr. Yoni or Dr. Bean will discuss your goals during your consultation and help you decide which option is best for you.

Tooth sensitivity can occur during the teeth whitening process, particularly during more intense in-office treatments. However, special toothpaste and other products can be used to reduce tooth sensitivity, and it will wear off within several days of treatment.
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If you already have sensitive teeth, you may want to ask Dr. Yoni or Dr. Bean which treatment is the best for you when you schedule an appointment, to ensure that you do not suffer any discomfort after the teeth whitening process.

No. Teeth whitening can treat all external stains, but cannot fix internal stains. For example, a tooth that is grayish because of a mercury-amalgam filling, or a tooth that has been stained by an antibiotic like tetracycline cannot be improved with teeth whitening. Other cosmetic treatments, like a porcelain filling or crown, may be recommended for these issues. Consult with one of our doctors for more information.