TEETH WHITENING · BETHESDA, MD

Take the stains down. Turn the brightness up.

Coffee, tea, wine and everyday life can gradually dull your smile. Professional teeth whitening gives you a dentist-supervised way to brighten your natural teeth — in the office or on your own schedule at home.

Whiter doesn’t have to mean unnaturally white. We start with the shade that looks right on you.

BEFORE YOU WHITEN

Six things that can change your whitening result.

Not every cavity or damaged filling hurts. Sometimes the first clue is simply that a tooth looks, feels or bites differently than it used to.

Coffee, tea & red wine

Dark-colored drinks can leave external stains on enamel over time, especially when they’re part of your everyday routine.

Natural aging

As enamel changes with age, more of the naturally yellower dentin underneath can begin to show through.

Some stains run deeper

Discoloration inside the tooth can respond differently from surface staining, so the type of stain affects what whitening can realistically accomplish.

Crowns & fillings stay the same shade

Whitening changes natural teeth — not porcelain crowns, veneers, implants or tooth-colored fillings.

Sensitivity matters

Temporary tooth sensitivity can happen during whitening, so tell us if your teeth are already sensitive before you begin.

Your goal matters too

Some patients want a subtle refresh. Others want a noticeably brighter result. We plan around your starting shade and expectations.

The brightest shade isn’t automatically the best shade.

Natural teeth can whiten. Crowns, veneers and tooth-colored fillings won’t — so existing dental work matters when choosing your target shade.

WHAT WHITENING CAN — AND CAN’T — CHANGE

Whitening works on color. It doesn’t redesign the tooth.

Professional whitening uses peroxide-based bleaching agents to break down colored compounds within natural tooth structure and make the teeth appear lighter. Both hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide are commonly used in professional whitening systems.

That makes whitening a strong option when color is the main thing you want to change. It doesn’t straighten teeth, close gaps, repair chips or change tooth shape — those concerns belong to treatments such as Invisalign, bonding or veneers.

There’s another important limitation: crowns, veneers, implants and tooth-colored fillings don’t bleach along with natural enamel. If you have visible restorations, we need to consider their existing shade before deciding how whitening fits into the overall plan.

CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO WHITEN

Faster in the office — or gradually at home.

Professional whitening can follow different timelines. The best choice depends on how quickly you want results, your sensitivity and how much control you want over the process.

In-Office Whitening

Professional bleaching gel is applied in the office while your gums are protected. Bethesda Dental Group currently offers light-activated professional whitening for patients who want a faster in-office approach.

Custom Take-Home Whitening

Custom trays made to fit your teeth hold professional whitening gel more precisely while allowing you to brighten your smile gradually at home.

Whitening & Shade Planning

If you have visible crowns, fillings or veneers — or cosmetic dental work planned — we can evaluate your current shades first so whitening fits into the bigger aesthetic plan.

YOUR WHITENING · STEP BY STEP

Check the smile. Choose the shade. Brighten with a plan.

We look at your teeth, gums, existing restorations, sensitivity and type of discoloration before recommending a whitening approach. A dental evaluation can help identify factors that influence both safety and results.

We discuss how quickly you want to whiten, your starting shade and sensitivity history, then select the professional option that fits those priorities.

Follow the recommended treatment schedule, then use your personalized maintenance guidance to help manage new staining and decide when a touch-up makes sense.

What patients say

200 reasons to choose us.

We don't ask you to trust us. We let our patients do the talking.

A brighter smile doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing decision.

Bethesda Dental Group offers professional whitening options for different timelines and preferences. Cherry, Sunbit, Proceed and Care Credit financing is available for eligible treatment with no hard credit check · approval in seconds · and plans from 3 to 24 months.

Same smile. Just brighter.

If stains or discoloration are the main thing you’d change about your smile, let’s find out which professional whitening approach can get you closer to the shade you want.