If your teeth have picked up years of staining from coffee, tea, or wine, or they’ve just gradually dulled over time, professional whitening can often get them several shades brighter. For most patients, that happens in a single visit.
Store-bought strips and trays can help with mild discoloration. They can’t touch the concentration we use in-office, and because nothing is custom-fitted to your teeth, you often get uneven results. At Burien Dental, we look at your teeth and talk through your goals before recommending anything. You’ll know what to expect before treatment starts.
Why Choose Burien Dental For Teeth Whitening?
We’ve been seeing patients in Burien and the Normandy Park area for over 35 years. When you come in for whitening, we look at your teeth, tell you honestly what will and won’t work for your situation, and go from there. That might mean an in-office session, a take-home system, or both.
Our team has been recognized as Seattle Met Top Dentists, and we have 409 five-star Google reviews. What comes up most in those reviews: we explain things clearly, we don’t push treatment that doesn’t fit, and the visit itself is more comfortable than people expected.
Such a great experience at this dental office! I haven’t been in a few years due to a negative experience at a different office. Everyone was super kind and professional, I was really impressed by the high level of technology to get images of my teeth so I could really see where some of the problem areas are. I felt like it was a collaborative experience to work towards my dental goals. Mei was wonderful, highly recommend!
Got my cleaning done by Hailey and she was a rockstar. Lots of great recommendations and information to set me up for success! Thanks much Hailey!
Truly excellent service. Everything was smooth, thoughtful, and handled with great care. Highly recommend.
What Is Professional Teeth Whitening?
Professional teeth whitening uses a professional-strength bleaching gel to lift stains from your enamel. The gel is stronger than typical drugstore whitening products, which is why treatment can work faster and produce a more noticeable change.
At Burien Dental, we offer both in-office treatment and custom take-home trays depending on what works best for you.
One thing worth knowing upfront: whitening only works on natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers, and bonding won’t change color during the process. We check for this at your consultation so there are no surprises.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Most healthy adults with natural teeth are good candidates. Whitening works best on teeth that have yellowed or stained from food, drinks, or tobacco. It’s less effective on teeth with a grayish tone, which can indicate intrinsic staining that sits deeper than the enamel surface.
You’re probably a good fit if:
- Your teeth have yellowed or dulled from coffee, tea, wine, or smoking
- Store-bought products haven’t given you the results you were hoping for
- You have an upcoming event such as a wedding, reunion, or job interview
- You want to refresh your smile before starting other cosmetic dentistry work, such as porcelain veneers or Invisalign
- You’ve whitened before and want to maintain or touch up your results
We’ll tell you at your consultation whether whitening is the right starting point or whether something else would get you better results.
How Professional Teeth Whitening Works at Burien Dental
Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening
- Results can last months to years with normal maintenance, compared to weeks with store-bought products
- Lightens your natural tooth shade, so the result still looks like your smile, just brighter
- Completed in a single 60-minute visit with in-office treatment
- Monitored by your dentist, which reduces the risk of sensitivity and uneven results
- In-office for speed, take-home for convenience
Ready for a Brighter Smile?
Ready to see what your smile looks like a few shades brighter? Call us at (206) 242-1500 or schedule online and we’ll get you in for a consultation.
Schedule Appointment Now →What to Expect at Your Whitening Visit
A lot of patients tell us they were nervous coming in for a cosmetic appointment, not knowing what the experience would feel like or whether they’d feel pressured into something they weren’t ready for. Here’s what actually happens from the moment you reach out:
- When you call: our front desk will ask a few questions about what you’re hoping to achieve and make sure we set aside the right amount of time for your visit. No pressure, no upselling.
- When you arrive: the office is calm and welcoming. You’ll be greeted by name and get settled before your appointment starts.
- During your consultation: you’ll meet directly with one of our doctors who will look at your teeth, answer your questions honestly, and give you a realistic picture of what whitening can do for you. If it’s not the right fit, we’ll tell you that and point you toward something better.
- During treatment: most patients are surprised by how relaxed the experience is. You’ll have time to sit back, listen to music, or scroll your phone while the whitening works.
- Before you leave: we walk you through the next few days so you know what’s normal, what to watch for, and how to take care of your smile to get the most out of your results.
How Do I Keep My Smile White After Whitening?
The biggest factors are habits. Coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking are the main things that bring staining back faster. Drinking through a straw helps, and rinsing after staining foods makes a difference over time. Before you leave, we’ll give you specific advice based on your situation and how your teeth responded to treatment.
For patients whose main concern is tooth color, shape, or size, porcelain veneers may also be worth discussing. They don’t whiten your natural teeth, but they can change the visible color and shape of your smile in a longer-lasting way.
Cost and Payment Options
Whitening at Burien Dental typically costs $250 to $800, depending on whether you choose in-office treatment, a take-home system, or both. We give you a clear estimate before anything starts, so there are no surprises.
Whitening is a cosmetic procedure and isn’t covered by dental insurance. We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. We also work with Sunbit and Cherry financing, which may let you split the cost into monthly payments.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Whitening in Burien, WA
Will teeth whitening hurt or make my teeth sensitive?
Most patients don't find whitening painful. Some temporary sensitivity to hot and cold is common in the first day or two after treatment, but it typically fades quickly on its own. If you already have sensitive teeth, let us know at your consultation. We can adjust the treatment protocol to keep you comfortable throughout.
How long does the whitening procedure take?
In-office whitening is typically completed in a single 60-minute visit. If you go with a take-home system, you'll wear the custom trays for 30 to 60 minutes a day over one to two weeks. Some patients do both, starting with in-office treatment for immediate results and using the take-home trays afterward for maintenance.
How long do whitening results last?
With normal care, professional whitening results typically last one to three years. How long yours holds up depends on your habits. Things such as coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking can shorten how long results last. We can recommend touch-up treatments to help maintain your smile over time.
Is professional whitening better than store-bought strips?
Yes, for most patients, it's significantly better. The bleaching concentration we use is much stronger than what's available over the counter, and because the trays are custom-fitted to your teeth, the gel stays where it needs to be. Store-bought strips can give you some improvement, but they can also cause uneven results and more gum irritation. Professional whitening is faster, more predictable, and longer-lasting.
What if I have crowns or veneers? Will whitening work for me?
Whitening only affects natural tooth enamel. Crowns, veneers, and bonding will not change color during the process. If you have restorations in visible areas, we'll assess this at your consultation and let you know whether whitening is still a good option or whether a different approach makes more sense for your goals.
Can I whiten my teeth if I have sensitivity?
In many cases, yes. We can modify the treatment to use a lower concentration gel or shorter application times to reduce discomfort. We may also recommend using a sensitivity toothpaste in the days leading up to your appointment. We'll talk through all of this with you before we start anything.
Ready to Brighten Your Smile?
If stained or dull teeth have been holding back your confidence, professional whitening is one of the simplest ways to change that. Our team at Burien Dental has been helping patients in Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, and SeaTac feel great about their smiles for over 35 years. We’d love to help you do the same.
- Over 35 years serving the Burien community
- 5.0 stars across 409 Google reviews
- In-office and take-home whitening options
- Clear pricing with no surprises
- Flexible financing through Sunbit and Cherry
Call us at (206) 242-1500 or schedule online to get started.
