Make Your Smile Shine with Teeth Whitening from Precision Dentistry of Olympia
Are your teeth not as white as you’d like them to be?
Whether your teeth are a bit yellowish or stains are holding you back from smiling confidently, teeth whitening is an effective cosmetic treatment. It allows you to get the perfect shade while protecting your tooth structures.
At Precision Dentistry of Olympia, we take a conservative approach to dentistry when possible. That’s why we recommend the least invasive treatments, ensuring you get optimal results while preserving your teeth and surrounding oral structures. Teeth whitening may be a suitable treatment for patients with external stains or discoloration, helping them get their teeth whitened by several shades.
What is Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is a conservative cosmetic procedure that helps patients with mild to moderate stains that accumulate over teeth surfaces due to habits such as smoking or daily consumption of beverages such as tea, coffee, sodas, and wine, as well as certain foods containing chromogens or pigments. The whitening process, also called bleaching, involves applying gels containing active bleaching agents directly to the discolored teeth. These agents, like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, work by oxidizing and breaking down stains without causing any harm to enamel or dentin. As a result, you can achieve a brighter shade of teeth.
Is Teeth Bleaching Preferred over Other Cosmetic Procedures?
Our team follows biomimetic dentistry, aiming to treat discolored teeth using the least invasive procedures, which minimizes unnecessary drilling or cutting through hard tooth structures. That’s why teeth whitening is the treatment of choice for patients with mild to moderate external stains; it doesn’t require tooth preparation or shaping like other cosmetic options.
However, some stains could be bleaching-resistant, making crowns and veneers more suitable for a brighter shade; these stains might be associated with genetics, tetracycline, fluorosis, or other medical conditions.
What is the Process of Teeth Whitening in Olympia?
Our team offers two main options for teeth whitening, including in-office and take-home bleaching methods, which suit a wide range of patients based on their busy day-to-day lives, comfort, and the tooth shade they want to achieve. Here’s what the process looks like at our office:
Initial Examination
During your first visit to Dr. Xu’s office, our team will take a detailed medical and dental history and determine the cause and degree of your tooth discoloration. This helps us determine if you are a good candidate for teeth whitening in Olympia.
Determining the Bleaching Type That Suits Your Case
If you are a good fit for teeth whitening, Dr. Xu will offer the bleaching method that best matches your lifestyle, the degree of tooth discoloration, and the expected results. Two main techniques can help get your teeth whitened, which include
1. Professional In-office Teeth Whitening
This technique is ideal for patients with a packed schedule seeking quick whitening results. In-office bleaching offers the convenience of getting a brighter shade in a one-hour session. Our team will carefully apply a gel containing bleaching agents to your teeth, avoiding contact with your gum or surrounding oral structures and reducing any sensitivity or gum irritation. Beaching agents are then activated using the Zoom device, which allows for stain dissolution and removal, resulting in an exceptional whitening experience. Also, some cases might require additional sessions if they have multiple deep stains.
2. Take-home Whitening Kits “Home-Based Bleaching”
This type of bleaching gives you control over your bleaching experience, allowing you to discontinue the treatment once you get the desired shade. At your first appointment, Dr. Xu will take an impression of your mouth to fabricate a custom tray that carries the bleaching gel. As soon as your bleaching kit is ready, you will be given a step-by-step guide on how to wear these trays, the amount of bleaching gel, wearing time, and all necessary details.

Is Professional Bleaching Better than Store-Bought Whitening Products?
While some store-bought whitening products slightly whiten your teeth, professional whitening is far better regarding final whitening results, comfort, and safety. So, we advise our patients to opt for either in-office or home-based bleaching methods since they have various benefits.
Better Results
Professional whitening is more potent than over-the-counter products. The gel used in professional bleaching contains higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, so you can get faster and more impressive results.
More Convenient
What sets take-home whitening kits apart from other store-bought products is offering custom bleaching trays tailored to each case. These trays feature a proper fit over teeth, providing optimal coverage and effectiveness. In contrast, most whitening trays in stores are designed to fit a wide range of patients, making them inconvenient and less effective for certain cases.
Higher Safety
Whether you choose in-office or home-based teeth whitening, you can expect reduced chances of tooth sensitivity or gum irritation. Our team takes great care to ensure the whitening gel’s proper application while protecting your gums and other tissues from coming into contact with it.
If you’re interested in teeth bleaching, call us at (360) 995-0025 to schedule an exam, or click the button below.
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