Want a brighter smile for a wedding, reunion, or just to feel more confident? Professional teeth whitening is one of the quickest and easiest cosmetic dentistry services that refresh your look.
At Dechter & Moy Dentistry in Silver Spring, Dr. Dechter and Dr. Moy offer two safe and effective options: in-office whitening for immediate results, and custom take-home kits for gradual brightening. Both options are affordable and can lighten your smile by several shades.
When starting with a healthy, clean smile, teeth whitening can remove stains from lifestyle habits and aging. Our patients often boost the whiteness of their smiles 6-8 shades brighter with a single treatment. A professional whitening treatment at our office is safer, more effective, and lasts longer than over-the-counter options.
Professional Teeth Whitening at Dechter & Moy Dentistry
The first step towards a whiter, brighter smile is to evaluate the overall health of your teeth. Our Silver Spring dentists will meet with you to perform an exam and discuss your cosmetic goals. We can find the source of your stains or discoloration during this exam.
Dr. Dechter or Dr. Moy will recommend treatments that actually make sense for you. We only suggest options that fit your unique smile and your budget. You’ll know the costs upfront and what kind of results you can expect. Most importantly, any dental work we do will support your long-term oral health.
In-Office Whitening: Results in About an Hour
For a noticeably brighter smile in a single visit, this is the option for you. An affordable in-office whitening procedure at our practice will take about an hour.
First, we start by protecting your gums and lips. The protection will minimize irritation and sensitivity in your mouth. We will also provide you with eye covers to protect them from the light during treatment.
Next, we will place a protective barrier in your mouth. The barrier will keep the gel from getting on your lips, tongue, and gums. For the best results, our dentist may provide you with whitening trays to help you do follow-ups at home.
Then we apply a professional-grade bleaching gel to your teeth. A special light activates the gel to break down stains. Once the whitening process is complete, our dentist will remove any residue with a special wash. We will make sure that you leave our office with a much brighter and whiter smile.
You walk out with a smile that is already several shades whiter. It will continue to brighten over the next 24 hours.
Patients love our process because is fast, dramatic, and completely handled by our team. No trays, no guesswork, just results. Don’t delay, request an appointment online today.
Take-Home Whitening: Custom Trays for Your Schedule
Prefer to whiten on your own time, at your own pace? Our take-home kits are a great choice.
- What happens: We start by taking impressions of your teeth. From these, a dental lab creates custom bleaching trays that fit your mouth perfectly. The trays ensure the whitening gel covers your teeth evenly while keeping it off your gums.
- How it works: You wear the trays with the gel for a set amount of time each day, usually for a couple of weeks. You will see your smile getting gradually brighter.
- Why patients love it: The trays are comfortable and reusable. You can keep them for touch-ups down the road. Plus, the professional-grade gel is much more effective than store-bought strips or trays.
Is Whitening Right for You?
Whitening works great for stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, or just getting older. But not every type of stain responds to bleaching.
During your consultation, Dr. Dechter or Dr. Moy will examine your teeth and talk with you about your goals. If whitening is a good fit, they will recommend the best option for your smile and your budget. If your stains are caused by something else, like certain medications or old injuries, they may suggest an alternative treatment.
Other Ways to Brighten Your Smile
For stains that don’t respond to whitening, we have other cosmetic options that can give you the bright smile you want.
Dental Crowns
More and more people are choosing dental crowns for cosmetic reasons. Dr. Dechter can place a porcelain crown on a tooth to change its color and help it blend in seamlessly with your other teeth.
Each crown is custom-made using different shades of porcelain so it matches your natural teeth perfectly. Besides looking great, crowns also protect teeth that are weak or damaged. They’re an excellent option for covering up chips, cracks, and other flaws.
To learn about our dental crowns, visit Dental crowns.
Tooth Bonding
Tooth bonding is a simple and affordable way to improve the color of your teeth. It works well for darkening, yellowing, and stubborn stains that regular whitening can’t fix.
Our dentist applies a tooth-colored resin material to the tooth. Then he carefully shapes and molds it to match your surrounding teeth perfectly. To learn about what dental issues we can address using bonding, visit Tooth bonding.
Porcelain Veneers
Custom porcelain veneers offer a lasting way to improve the color and look of your smile. They’re a great choice if you have just one or two stained teeth that whitening can’t fix.
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that attach to the front of your teeth. They come in any shade you want, so they blend in perfectly with your smile. Dr. Dechter or Dr. Moy can use them to cover even deep, stubborn stains. To learn more about our veneer services, visit Porcelain veneers.
How to Keep Your Smile Bright
Whitening is a cosmetic treatment, so the results are not permanent. But you can make them last longer with a few simple habits.
- Brush and floss daily. This removes everyday plaque and food particles that can dull your smile.
- Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash. Fluoride helps keep your enamel strong, which protects against stains.
- Be mindful of what you eat and drink. Coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries can all leave marks. You do not have to give them up, but maybe rinse with water afterward.
- Avoid hard foods that can wear down enamel. Things like popcorn kernels or hard candies can create tiny scratches where stains settle.
- Keep up with your regular dental checkups. We will clean away surface stains and check on your overall oral health.
With good care, your whitening results can last from several months to a couple of years. And if you have a take-home kit, you can always do a quick touch-up.
Patient Review
“Terrific experience every time. Even my children like going to the dentist now. Absolutely the best team, all across the board, in dentistry I have found. Extremely friendly and very professional and helpful. I highly recommend Dechter and Moy to anyone in the Silver Spring, Rockville area.”
-Gary M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about brightening your smile? Our dentists are here to help. Here are answers to common questions we hear from patients.
What is the most effective type of teeth whitening?
Professional whitening works best. In-office whitening uses strong but safe ingredients like hydrogen peroxide to remove deep stains and brighten your teeth in just one visit. Take-home kits from our dentist are also effective. They use a gentler formula, so results show up more slowly over time.
Hydrogen peroxide works by breaking down the molecules that cause stains on and inside your teeth. It’s strong enough to give real results but safe when used by a professional.
Can whitening make my teeth and gums sensitive?
Sometimes. Your teeth or gums may feel sensitive after whitening. This usually goes away within a few hours. You can help by using toothpaste for sensitive teeth and avoiding very hot or cold foods and drinks while your enamel recovers.
How often should I get professional whitening?
Most patients come in every three to six months. Whitening too often can harm your enamel, so it’s important to give your teeth a break between treatments. Many patients schedule a cleaning and whitening together at the same visit.
When will I see results?
You’ll notice a difference the same day, usually within 24 hours of your first treatment. Results become fully clear after about two weeks. But your teeth will keep getting whiter for a few hours after you leave our office.
How long do whitening results last?
Results can last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years. It depends on how well you care for your teeth and which treatment you choose. In-office whitening gives faster, more dramatic results.
Take-home kits work more gently but are still effective. Avoid foods and drinks that stain, brush and floss daily, and you probably won’t need a touch-up for six to twelve months.
Can teeth whitening damage my teeth?
No, professional whitening does not damage your teeth. There’s no proof that whitening at the dentist harms enamel or changes your tooth’s natural shine. That said, whitening too much or too often can cause problems.
Products with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide break down stains safely. Some people worry these chemicals might damage enamel or strip away natural color. But in low doses used by professionals, they are completely safe.
Get The Brightest Smile in Just One Treatment
Dechter & Moy Dentistry offers safe and effective teeth whitening treatments. From in-office laser teeth whitening services to take-home trays, we will have the right treatment for your needs.
Ready for a brighter smile? Call us today at (301) 508-9755 or request an appointment online. We will sit down with you, talk about what you want, and help you find the whitening option that fits your life. We welcome patients from Silver Spring, Layhill, Aspen Hill, Kensington, and all nearby communities.