Teeth Whitening in Alpharetta, GA
Coffee, tea, and time all leave their mark on a smile. Professional teeth whitening in Alpharetta, GA at our office offers a supervised, stronger alternative to store-bought kits, with your session tailored to your teeth and goals.
What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening in Alpharetta, GA uses a higher-concentration bleaching agent than store-bought strips or trays to lift stains and discoloration from your enamel. Because the treatment is supervised by our dental team and customized to your teeth, it is generally able to deliver noticeably brighter results in less time than over-the-counter products.
Whether your teeth are stained from coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, or simply the natural aging process, professional whitening can restore a brighter, fresher appearance to your smile without changing the shape or position of your teeth.
Professional Whitening vs. Over-the-Counter Products
Drugstore whitening strips and pens use lower concentrations of bleaching agent so they are safe for unsupervised use, which also means results are typically slower and less dramatic. Professional whitening allows us to use a stronger formula because we can monitor your gums and enamel throughout the process. We also customize the treatment to your teeth rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all tray.
In-Office Whitening at Smiles on Main
- Supervised in-office treatment. Your whitening session takes place at our Alpharetta office under the supervision of our dental team, so we can monitor your comfort throughout.
- Protected gums and soft tissue. A protective barrier is applied to your gums before the whitening agent is applied to your teeth.
- Personalized approach. Dr. Gessling reviews your staining, tooth health, and goals beforehand so the session is tailored to you rather than a one-size-fits-all product.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Whitening
Whitening works best on natural tooth enamel with surface-level stains. During your consultation, Dr. Gessling evaluates your teeth and gums to confirm whitening is appropriate for you. Factors we consider include:
- The type and likely cause of your discoloration
- The current health of your teeth and gums
- Whether you have existing restorations, such as crowns, veneers, or bonding, that will not change color with whitening
- Any history of tooth sensitivity
If your discoloration comes from the inside of the tooth rather than the surface, such as tetracycline staining, or if you have several existing restorations on visible teeth, whitening alone may not give you the even result you want. In those cases, we may recommend porcelain veneers or dental bonding instead, or as a follow-up treatment.
What to Expect During In-Office Whitening
Step 1: Exam and Shade Check
We confirm your teeth and gums are healthy enough for whitening and record your starting shade.
Step 2: Gum Protection
A protective barrier is placed over your gums and soft tissue to keep the whitening gel on your teeth only.
Step 3: Whitening Application
The whitening gel is applied to your teeth for a series of short intervals. The overall length of your visit depends on your starting shade and treatment plan.
Step 4: Final Rinse and Comparison
We rinse the gel, compare your new shade to your starting point, and discuss options for maintaining your results at home.
Maintaining Your Results
How long your results last varies depending on your diet, habits, and oral hygiene. To help maintain your brighter smile:
- Brush twice daily and floss regularly
- Rinse or brush after consuming staining beverages like coffee, tea, or red wine
- Use a whitening toothpaste between treatments
- Ask Dr. Gessling about periodic in-office touch-up sessions
- Keep up with regular professional cleanings
Cost and Insurance Factors
Teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic procedure and is typically not covered by dental insurance, though it remains one of the more affordable cosmetic treatments we offer. We are in-network with most major dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, and MetLife, for any covered portion of your visit, and we offer CareCredit and Cherry financing if you would like to spread out the cost.
Why Choose Smiles on Main for Whitening in Alpharetta
With 22 years of experience, Dr. Melissa Gessling, DMD, understands how different types of staining respond to whitening and can set realistic expectations before you begin. Our Alpharetta office at 342 N Main St serves patients throughout North Fulton County, including Roswell, Milton, Cumming, and Johns Creek, with Monday through Thursday hours and walk-ins welcome if you want to ask questions about whitening before your next cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening
Professionally supervised whitening is generally considered safe for enamel in suitable patients when used as directed. Some patients experience temporary sensitivity or mild gum irritation, which is one reason we evaluate your teeth and gums before recommending treatment.
Results vary depending on the type and severity of your staining and your starting shade. Dr. Gessling will give you a realistic expectation during your consultation rather than a guaranteed outcome.
Some patients experience temporary sensitivity during or after treatment. This is normal and typically resolves within a few days. We can adjust the treatment to help minimize sensitivity.
How often you can whiten depends on your staining patterns, sensitivity, and oral health. Dr. Gessling will recommend a schedule that fits your situation at your consultation.
Professional whitening generally uses a stronger, dentist-supervised formula and is customized to your teeth, which tends to produce more even results than store-bought strips or trays.
The length of your in-office visit depends on your starting shade and treatment plan. Dr. Gessling will walk you through what to expect at your consultation.
No. Porcelain and composite restorations do not respond to whitening gel, so they will not change shade. If you have visible restorations, let us know so we can plan around them.
Reserve Your Whitening Session
Ready to see what a few shades brighter looks like on you? Call 678-762-1613 to schedule your whitening consultation at our Alpharetta office, and we will recommend the approach that fits your smile and your schedule.