A noticeably brighter smile,
without leaving your couch.

How our whitening works

We make a custom set of clear bleaching trays to fit precisely over your teeth — so the gel goes exactly where it should and stays away from your gums. You wear them at home for a few hours a day (or overnight, depending on the gel) for one to two weeks. Most patients see meaningful results within the first few days.

Why custom trays beat the drugstore

• Better contact. A custom-fit tray keeps the gel evenly on every tooth surface, so you don’t end up with patchy results.
• Stronger gel. Professional-grade carbamide peroxide is more effective than over-the-counter whitening strips.
• Less sensitivity. Trays seal the gel against your enamel and away from gum tissue, reducing irritation.
• Reusable. Keep your trays — when you want a touch-up before a wedding or reunion, just pick up more gel.

What it can and can’t do

Whitening is excellent for stains caused by coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, and aging. It won’t change the color of existing crowns, fillings, or veneers — those stay their original shade. If you have a lot of older restorations on visible teeth, we’ll talk through how the result is likely to look before we start. For severe internal staining, a combination of whitening with bonding or veneers may give a better outcome.

What about sensitivity?

Some patients feel mild zings during the first day or two — usually easy to manage by spacing out doses or switching to a sensitivity toothpaste. Tell us if it bothers you and we’ll adjust the protocol.

Cost

Custom-tray whitening at Culpeper Dental Care costs a fraction of veneers or bonding and still gives lasting results. Virginia Dental Club members receive a discount on cosmetic services, including whitening.