Teeth Whitening
You want a brighter smile, and so does everyone else. Tooth discoloration is one of the most common cosmetic concerns patients bring to the dental chair. It’s something that can develop gradually from years of consuming coffee, tea, wine, and certain foods, or simply through the natural aging process. Professional teeth whitening is one of the most reliable ways to restore a smile’s luminosity, and it is a lot more effective than anything you will find on a store shelf.
At Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum, we offer several professional whitening options to personalize your path to a brighter smile while fitting your lifestyle and budget. Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs has been proudly serving patients in South Charlotte for more than 20 years, earning the Charlotte Magazine Top Dentists Award every year since 2016. Her approach to care is grounded in the practice’s guiding philosophy: using innovation and education to make your smile amazing. As part of our broader cosmetic dentistry services, teeth whitening is one of the most accessible ways to transform how you feel about your smile, and the results truly speak for themselves.
Are You a Good Candidate for Teeth Whitening?
Professional whitening works beautifully for a wide range of patients, but it is not the right fit for everyone. A consultation with Dr. Coambs will help determine which approach is best suited to your smile and your goals.
Patients who would not be ideal candidates for whitening include those with the following:
Periodontal disease: Active gum disease should be treated before pursuing cosmetic whitening treatments.
Extreme sensitivity: Those with highly sensitive teeth could experience more discomfort from bleaching agents.
Tooth-colored restorations in the smile zone: Crowns, veneers, and bonding do not respond to bleaching agents in the same way that natural enamel does.
Allergies to bleaching ingredients: Peroxide-based whitening is not appropriate for patients with related allergies.
Infected gums or untreated cavities: Oral health concerns must always be addressed before cosmetic treatment.
It is worth noting that if your primary concern is chips, gaps, or worn enamel, we recommend exploring cosmetic bonding or other restorative options in tandem with whitening to achieve the most complete result.
What Whitening Options Do We Offer?
We are proud to offer the full Opalescence family of whitening products, giving you the distinct flexibility to choose between in-office and at-home solutions. The American Dental Association notes that professional whitening options are available both through in-office treatment and dentist-supervised take-home systems, all of which use carbamide or hydrogen peroxide as the active bleaching agent.
Opalescence Boost (In-Office Whitening)
For patients who want immediate, dramatic results, Opalescence Boost is our in-office power whitening solution. It uses a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gel applied directly to the teeth, and the treatment is completed right here in our office. One of the standout features of Opalescence Boost is that it does not require uncomfortable lights or lasers, which means a noticeably more comfortable experience and reduced post-treatment sensitivity. If you have a big event coming up or simply want results without waiting, it is an excellent choice.
Opalescence Go (On-the-Go Whitening)
Opalescence Go is ideal for patients who want to whiten on their own schedule. These pre-filled, disposable trays come ready to use with no impressions or custom fitting required. The UltraFit tray conforms to your smile, providing full coverage from front to back, and the gel is available in both Mint and Melon flavors. It is a convenient, effective system for anyone who travels frequently or simply prefers the flexibility of whitening from home.
Opalescence Customized (Take-Home Trays)
Our custom take-home bleaching tray system is one of the most popular options we offer. Using impressions of your teeth, we create trays that fit your smile precisely, ensuring that the whitening gel stays exactly where it needs to be and delivers consistent results. This approach is perfect for patients who appreciate a gradual, controlled whitening process and want the option to touch up their results over time. If you are considering a longer-term smile transformation that includes porcelain veneers, custom whitening trays are also a great way to brighten your natural teeth first so your dentist can match your new veneers to the shade you love.
Why Professional Whitening Outperforms Store-Bought Options
There are plenty of whitening strips and toothpastes on the market, and while they can remove surface stains to a certain degree, they simply are not in the same league as professional-grade products. The peroxide concentrations used in professional whitening are significantly higher than those available over the counter, and the process is supervised to protect your gums and enamel. Patients who have invested in professional whitening often describe it as a turning point that makes them reconsider their overall smile goals and, in some cases, leads them to explore broader options like smile makeovers.
Professional whitening is also tailored uniquely to you. Dr. Coambs takes the time to evaluate your current shade, discuss your goals, and recommend the option that makes the most sense for your oral health and lifestyle. That kind of personalized guidance is something no box kit can replicate.
Get High-Quality Teeth Whitening at Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum
Dr. Ann Blaine Coambs has been serving patients in South Charlotte for more than 20 years and has earned the Charlotte Magazine Top Dentists Award every year since 2016. Her FAGD designation, held by fewer than 6% of general dentists in North Carolina, reflects a deep commitment to continuing education and patient-centered care. Every whitening treatment at Imagine Dentistry is supervised, personalized, and backed by years of clinical experience, so you can feel confident that your results will be both beautiful and safe.
We understand that cost is a real consideration, and we want the smile you deserve to be accessible. We offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit, as well as our in-house Membership Plan for patients without traditional insurance coverage. When you are ready to take the next step, we would love to help. Request an appointment online today and let us find the right whitening solution for you.
Love.Your.Smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Teeth whitening is not appropriate for everyone. Patients with active periodontal disease, untreated cavities, infected gums, extremely sensitive teeth, or known allergies to bleaching ingredients should not undergo whitening until those conditions are addressed. Whitening also does not affect the color of existing dental restorations, such as crowns or tooth-colored fillings in the visible smile zone. During your exam, Dr. Coambs will evaluate your candidacy and recommend the most appropriate path to a brighter smile.
Professional whitening results can last from several months to a few years depending on your diet, oral hygiene habits, and whether you use tobacco. Regularly consuming coffee, tea, red wine, or berries will contribute to gradual restaining over time. Using a whitening toothpaste, rinsing with water after consuming staining foods, and performing periodic touch-up treatments with custom trays can help maintain your results longer. Your hygiene visits are also a good time to discuss whether a touch-up is appropriate.
Some patients experience temporary tooth sensitivity during or after whitening, which is a common and usually short-lived side effect. The Opalescence Boost in-office system is specifically formulated to minimize post-treatment sensitivity without requiring lights or lasers, which are often associated with greater discomfort. If you have a history of sensitive teeth, our team will discuss strategies to manage sensitivity and may recommend a modified treatment protocol to keep you comfortable throughout the process.
Professional whitening products use higher concentrations of active whitening agents than over-the-counter strips or toothpastes, producing more noticeable results in a shorter amount of time. Additionally, treatment supervised or provided by Dr. Coambs ensures the whitening is appropriate for your specific situation, minimizes the risk of sensitivity or gum irritation, and accounts for any restorations or contraindications that store-bought products cannot address. The results from professional whitening are also typically more even and longer-lasting.
Professional whitening at Imagine Dentistry is supervised, personalized, and done right. No guesswork — just results you’ll actually notice.
Dental Insurance
We accept most dental insurances, and we will always work to get the most out of your benefits. If it would help to break up the cost of your care into smaller monthly payments, we are prepared to discuss payment plan options with you. We offer an excellent Membership Plan with our office, as well as financing with Care Credit. If you are looking for a dentist in Charlotte, NC, our team will be delighted to assist you in scheduling an appointment today.
Dental Membership Plan
We offer an excellent Membership Plan designed specifically for patients without traditional insurance coverage. Our “Love.Your.Smile.” plans provide access to preventive care, including regular checkups, cleanings, and x-rays, along with valuable discounts on additional treatments. If you’re looking for transparent pricing and quality dental care without the hassle of insurance claims, our membership plan may be the perfect solution for you and your family. Our team will be happy to discuss which plan best fits your needs during your visit!
