Professional Whitening

McLean Family Dentistry: McLean, VA / Cosmetic & Restorative: Overview / Professional Whitening

There are many products and techniques available for patients who want to achieve a brighter smile, and with so many options available, it can be difficult to choose the method that is right for you. The best way to begin any teeth whitening regimen is to schedule an appointment and talk to your doctor about the differences between in-office professional whitening and at-home whitening.

Laser Teeth Whitening

The first professional option is commonly referred to as in-office whitening. This procedure is performed in a dental office. During an appointment, your dental professional will apply a whitening gel to the surface of your teeth. The entire office visit generally takes about 60 minutes and you will be able to see results immediately. Biolase Laser whitening gets you 6-8 shades whiter in approximately 1 hour with limited to no sensitivity.

What is BIOLASE?

BIOLASE is a sophisticated and highly-advanced treatment in today’s dental industry. It involves the use of patented technology, combining focused light energy with a stream of water to provide a gentler and more precise dental experience. The distinctive technology behind the BIOLASE system enables it to cut through soft gum tissue or even hard bone tissue with minimal vibration or pressure.

BIOLASE is an attractive treatment type for many patients, and it includes such perks as:

  1. Faster healing time and less trauma to teeth and gums than many other dental procedures
  2. Minimal anesthetics
  3. Treating multiple dental needs in one visit.
  4. Being an overall more relaxing dental experience.

What Can BIOLASE Do?

BIOLASE can contour or shape your gums using, improving the appearance of your smile. It does so by safely removing excess gum tissue that may give you a “gummy” smile, or make your front teeth appear irregular in size or shape.

Additionally, BIOLASE can quickly and safely remove growths or excess tissue in your mouth. Some of these include the removal of gum tissue over an unerupted tooth, growths called fibromas, and small “tags” called papilla.

Often, procedures that fix tongue or gum issues result in a lot of mouth pain. However, through the use of BIOLASE, we can “release” connections that restrict the movement of your tongue or cause your gums to recede, with significantly reduced post-operative pain.

Along with all those treatments, BIOLASE can also help combat gum disease. Using BIOLASE, it is possible to efficiently remove debris and bacteria between your teeth and gums that can cause bleeding gums, gum recession and even loss of teeth. If your gum disease is at a moderate or high level, ask your doctor about minimally invasive periodontal treatment.

Finally, our BIOLASE iPlus laser is able to perform other procedures that could benefit you. Make sure you ask about what types of BIOLASE procedures we are currently offering!

What’s So Great About BIOLASE?

By now, you probably get the idea that BIOLASE is a multifaceted method of treatment. But what makes it so much better than other dental treatment types?

  1. Comfort. BIOLASE’s use of laser energy and a gentle spray of water allows us to perform dental procedures without the heat, vibration and pressure associated with the dental drill. It’s often possible to use less anesthetic that one would with a “regular” dental procedure, and in some cases, there is no anesthetic needed at all.
  2. Precision.A BIOLASE dentist can remove tooth decay and debris far more precisely than the drill. This saves more of the healthy parts of your tooth and avoids micro-fractures that the friction of a drill can cause.  Saving your natural teeth– as opposed to getting dentures or implants– has many health benefits; some studies have even shown that people with natural teeth live longer. With BIOLASE, the likelihood of preserving your natural teeth is higher than with traditional dentistry methods– and what’s not to love about that?
  3. Convenience. With BIOLASE, it’s less likely that you’ll need an injection, so you can get in and out of the dentist’s chair faster. Also, by not using anesthetic, dentists can perform procedures that used to require more than one visit in a single appointment. And the best part is that with BIOLASE, dentists can now perform procedures that once meant an additional trip to a specialist. This saves you even more time and eliminates the nightmare of scheduling multiple appointments in different places!

Contact us today to find out if BIOLASE Dentistry is right for you!

The KöR Whitening Difference

Many people may not be aware that whitening gel begins to slowly degrade at room temperature which causes the gel to not work as effectively. KöR whitening has allowed for the whitening gel to remain refrigerated and keep it from degrading between the time it is manufactured until it reaches its dentistry. At McLean Family Dentistry, we are proud to provide KöR whitening as an additional whitening option to ensure you are provided with the most efficient whitening services to keep your smile in the best shape possible.

Why Get KöR Whitening?

With KöR, the whitening gel will be able to remain at a consistently cold temperature that will keep it from losing its whitening capability when it’s being sent to the dentistry. Since the bleaching chemicals in the whitening gel are known to naturally break down, the constant refrigeration will prevent it from doing so and allow it to work to its fullest potential. Here is what you can receive when you undergo a KöR whitening treatment:

  • Custom Fit.

KöR-Seal Trays are customized to fit your teeth and prevent saliva and sulcular fluid from seeping through preventing the bleaching process from commencing. As the trays will be used for your at-home maintenance, you will obtain at least 6-10 hours of effective whitening overnight.

  • Lasting Results.

After you’ve received a KöR whitening treatment, you will notice that your teeth will become 16 shades whiter. Although everyone is different and may see differences in their whitening results, your teeth can remain resistant to foods and drinks that easily stain with easy home maintenance.

  • Little to No Sensitivity.

Compared to other whitening procedures, KöR whitening treatment results with little-to-no sensitivity. Most patients who have undergone KöR whitening have not experienced discomfort, so you won’t have to worry about feeling pain throughout your treatment.

  • Safe Whitening Procedure.

When you are undergoing a KöR whitening treatment, you can expect to receive treatment for two weeks that consists of overnight whitening at home, an in-office whitening session, as well as a monthly maintenance program. These are all necessary to keep your appearing teeth bright and healthy

Start Your KöR Whitening Treatment at McLean Family Dentistry!

Our dentists understand that KöR whitening isn’t for everyone, so schedule a consultation with your dentist to see if it’s right for you. KöR whitening is recommended for those over the age of 14 as one’s permanent teeth have fully erupted by this time. This will allow new and older teeth to maintain a more youthful glow and healthier looking smile. At McLean Family Dentistry, our team of dentists will ensure your KöR whitening procedure is quick and allows you to obtain the smile you deserve.

Learn more about KöR whitening in McLean! Request an appointment with your dentist today at (703) 448-9100 or fill out our online form.