Teeth Whitening in Bethesda & Chevy Chase, MD

While you may enjoy coffee, tea, tomatoes, berries, or tobacco products, these are some of the most common sources of enamel stains and discoloration. Fortunately, Smiles of Chevy Chase has a great solution. If you're looking to brighten your smile, a top choice for in-office teeth whitening is the Philips Zoom whitening treatments. Experienced dentist Dr. Despina Markogiannakis is proud to offer both Philips Zoom QuickPro and WhiteSpeed to her patients in Chevy Chase, MD. Based on your cosmetic goals, time available, and budget, Dr. Markogiannakis will help you choose the Zoom whitening treatment that's best for you.

When it comes to teeth whitening, the accessibility and affordability of store-bought whitening kits often make them a tempting prospect. However, store-bought whitening products take more time to work and deliver inferior whitening results. Some of these products are also easy to misuse, increasing your chances of damaging your enamel, irritating your gums, and experiencing higher levels of post-whitening sensitivity.

Your smile is one of your best assets and should be treated with care. Professional teeth whitening is still the safest, most effective method for getting a whiter smile. That’s why, at Smiles of Chevy Chase, Dr. Markogiannakis offers ZOOM! teeth whitening.

Before any whitening takes place, you’ll undergo a consultation with Dr. Markogiannakis. During your consultation, she’ll examine your mouth, review your medical history, and discuss your whitening goals with you. You may need to have oral health issues such as cavities treated before your teeth can be effectively and comfortably whitened.

Once Dr. Markogiannakis has decided you’re a candidate for ZOOM!, we can schedule your whitening appointment.

You should always schedule your teeth whitening session to follow your bi-annual examination at our Chevy Chase office. Our professional deep cleaning removes plaque and tartar, allowing for a more even distribution of the whitening treatment and helping it penetrate your enamel.

For both ZOOM! whitening procedures, we’ll protect your mouth and gums using methods such as gauze, plastic barriers, and vitamin E oil. This will help ensure the treatment only reaches your teeth, which can prevent gum irritation.

If you’ve chosen the QuickPro method, we’ll apply whitening varnish to each tooth once they’re clean and dry. Then, we’ll lock the varnish in place with a sealant.

You’ll leave our Chevy Chase office and let the treatment sit for thirty minutes, after which you’ll brush your teeth and see a whiter, more brilliant smile.

For patients who have chosen the WhiteSpeed method, we’ll apply a layer of whitening gel to each tooth. Once each tooth is coated, we’ll use an LED lamp to accelerate the whitening process.

The gel will be removed and reapplied three more times in 15-minute sessions. Once your ZOOM! WhiteSpeed treatment is complete, we’ll remove any excess gel and apply a post-whitening gel that will strengthen your enamel and reduce sensitivity.

Am I a candidate for ZOOM! teeth whitening?

Your candidacy for ZOOM! teeth whitening will depend on a number of factors such as your oral health and the condition of your teeth.

For patients who are more concerned with extrinsic stains that lay on the surface of your tooth enamel, Dr. Markogiannakis recommends ZOOM! QuickPro. This is the best treatment for stains on the enamel's surface resulting from food, drink, and tobacco use.

For patients who want to tackle both extrinsic and intrinsic stains, which are stains that lay below the surface of the enamel, Dr. Markogiannakis recommends ZOOM! WhiteSpeed. WhiteSpeed is an effective way to treat stains that can lay above and beneath the enamel, like those resulting from age and medication use.

How do I maintain my whitening results?

Dr. Markogiannakis will give you more specific instructions on how to care for your teeth after your ZOOM! whitening treatment. If you want to maintain your post-whitening tooth color for as long as possible, Dr. Markogiannakis generally recommends following these tips:

1. Practice regular oral hygiene methods such as brushing and flossing twice a day
2. Schedule bi-annual appointments at our Chevy Chase office for cleanings and exams
3. Avoid certain foods, beverages, and tobacco products
4. Refresh your results with ZOOM! at-home whitening treatments

Is ZOOM! covered by insurance?

ZOOM! teeth whitening is considered a cosmetic product, which means it’s usually not covered by most insurance providers. We recommend contacting your dental insurance provider and learning what your plan will cover.

During your consultation, Dr. Markogiannakis will discuss your budget with you and help you pick a treatment that is within your spending limits. She can also discuss payment methods and medical financing with you. Dr. Markogiannakis will work with you to help make your ZOOM! whitening treatment as accessible as possible.

No matter which whitening treatment you choose, you have the potential to gain a smile that’s six to eight shades whiter in just one appointment. These stellar results are why Dr. Markogiannakis recommends teeth whitening with ZOOM!

To learn more about this revolutionary cosmetic dentistry treatment or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Markogiannakis, call our Chevy Chase office by dialing 301-652-0656. You can also fill out our contact form and a team member will be with you shortly. We look forward to helping you achieve the whiter smile you deserve!