Aesthetic Dental Designs provides professional teeth whitening to patients throughout Orange County from our office in Laguna Niguel. Patients from Irvine, Newport Beach, Anaheim, Huntington Beach, Mission Viejo, and communities across the county visit our South Orange County location for whitening treatment supervised by Dr. Todd Snyder, an AACD Accredited Fellow—a credential held by fewer than 100 dentists worldwide.
Professional teeth whitening offers results that over-the-counter products cannot match. The combination of higher-concentration whitening agents, custom-fitted application trays, and professional supervision produces more dramatic, more even, and longer-lasting results than store-bought alternatives.
All teeth whitening consultations and treatments are performed at our Laguna Niguel office at 25500 Rancho Niguel Rd #230, accessible via Interstate 5 and the 73 Toll Road from throughout Orange County.
Why Professional Teeth Whitening?
Teeth whitening is one of the most requested cosmetic dental procedures because it delivers visible improvement with minimal time and investment. However, the quality of results varies significantly based on the whitening method used.
Professional whitening at Aesthetic Dental Designs differs from over-the-counter options in several important ways:
Higher Concentration Formulas: Professional whitening agents contain higher percentages of active ingredients than products available in stores. This allows for more significant shade improvement in fewer applications.
Custom-Fitted Trays: Unlike one-size-fits-all strips or generic trays, professional whitening uses trays molded to the exact contours of your teeth. This ensures even coverage, prevents whitening agent from contacting gum tissue, and eliminates the uneven results common with store-bought products.
Professional Assessment: Before whitening, Dr. Snyder evaluates your teeth to identify any issues that should be addressed first—such as decay, worn enamel, or exposed root surfaces—and to set realistic expectations for your specific type of discoloration.
Supervised Treatment: Professional oversight ensures the whitening process is managed safely, minimizing the risk of sensitivity or gum irritation that can occur with unsupervised use of whitening products.
Types of Tooth Discoloration
Not all tooth discoloration responds equally to whitening. Understanding the type of staining you have helps set appropriate expectations for treatment outcomes.
| Stain Type | Causes | Whitening Response |
|---|---|---|
| Extrinsic (Surface) | Coffee, tea, red wine, tobacco, dark foods | Excellent response to professional whitening |
| Age-Related | Natural yellowing as enamel thins and dentin darkens over time | Good response with realistic expectations |
| Intrinsic (Internal) | Tetracycline antibiotics, fluorosis, trauma, developmental issues | Limited response; may require veneers or bonding |
During your consultation, Dr. Snyder assesses the type and severity of your discoloration to recommend the most appropriate treatment approach. For intrinsic staining that whitening cannot address, alternative solutions such as dental bonding or porcelain veneers may be recommended.
Whitening Options at Aesthetic Dental Designs
Our practice offers professional whitening systems designed to deliver optimal results safely:
Custom Tray Whitening System: This is our primary whitening method, offering the best combination of effectiveness, safety, and convenience. The process involves:
- Impressions taken to create trays that fit your teeth precisely
- Professional-strength whitening gel provided for home use
- Detailed instructions for application time and frequency
- Gradual whitening over 1-2 weeks with predictable, even results
- Trays retained for future touch-up treatments
The custom tray system allows patients to control the degree of whitening and provides trays that can be used for maintenance treatments over the years, making it a long-term investment in smile brightness.
Touch-Up and Maintenance: Patients who have completed initial whitening treatment can use their custom trays with single-use whitening gel syringes for periodic maintenance, extending results indefinitely.
The Whitening Process
Professional teeth whitening at Aesthetic Dental Designs follows a straightforward process:
Evaluation: Dr. Snyder examines your teeth to confirm you are a candidate for whitening and identifies any issues that should be addressed first. Existing dental work (crowns, veneers, fillings) will not change color with whitening and may need to be replaced afterward to match your new shade.
Impressions: Molds are taken of your upper and lower teeth to fabricate custom-fitted whitening trays in our laboratory.
Tray Fitting: Once your trays are ready, you return to the office for fitting and detailed instructions on gel application, wearing time, and what to expect during treatment.
Home Treatment: You apply the whitening gel to your trays and wear them as directed—typically 30-60 minutes daily or overnight, depending on the specific system and your sensitivity level.
Follow-Up: After completing the initial whitening course, you may return for evaluation of results and discussion of maintenance strategies.
What to Expect During Whitening
Most patients experience noticeable improvement within the first few applications, with optimal results achieved over 1-2 weeks of consistent use.
Sensitivity: Some patients experience temporary tooth sensitivity during whitening treatment. This is normal and typically resolves within a few days of completing treatment. If sensitivity occurs, reducing wearing time or taking a day off between applications usually resolves the issue.
Gum Irritation: Custom-fitted trays minimize contact between whitening gel and gum tissue. However, if gel does contact gums, minor irritation may occur. This resolves quickly once treatment is complete.
Results Timeline: While some improvement is visible immediately, teeth continue to lighten for several days after the final application as the whitening process completes.
Longevity: Whitening results are not permanent. Depending on dietary habits and oral hygiene, results typically last 6 months to 2 years before touch-up treatment is needed. Patients who avoid staining foods and beverages maintain results longer.
Whitening as Part of Comprehensive Treatment
Teeth whitening is often the first step in a larger cosmetic treatment plan. Because existing dental work does not change color with whitening, the sequence of treatment matters:
Whitening Before Restorations: If you plan to have veneers, crowns, or bonding, whitening should be completed first. This establishes your desired shade, and new restorations can then be matched to your whitened teeth.
Whitening with Smile Makeovers: Comprehensive smile makeovers typically begin with whitening to establish a brighter baseline before proceeding to veneers, crowns, or other restorative work.
Standalone Whitening: For patients with healthy teeth who simply want a brighter smile, whitening alone may be all that is needed to achieve their aesthetic goals.
Serving Whitening Patients Across Orange County
Orange County encompasses 34 cities and over 3 million residents across 948 square miles. Our Laguna Niguel office is centrally positioned within South Orange County, with convenient access for patients throughout the region.
| Region | Communities Served | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| South Orange County | Mission Viejo, Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Woods, San Clemente, Rancho Santa Margarita | 10–25 minutes |
| Central Orange County | Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Orange, Santa Ana, Lake Forest | 20–35 minutes |
| North Orange County | Anaheim, Fullerton, Huntington Beach, Yorba Linda, Brea, Buena Park, Garden Grove | 35–50 minutes |
While teeth whitening is available at many dental offices, patients seeking treatment from an AACD Accredited Fellow benefit from the expertise that comes with advanced cosmetic training—particularly when whitening is part of a larger treatment plan or when previous whitening attempts have been unsuccessful.
Schedule a Whitening Consultation
Patients interested in professional teeth whitening are invited to schedule a consultation at our Laguna Niguel office. During this appointment, Dr. Snyder evaluates your teeth, discusses the type of discoloration present, and recommends the most appropriate whitening approach. Contact the office at (949) 990-3752 or visit our Teeth Whitening page for additional information.
Practice Information and Location
Aesthetic Dental Designs is a cosmetic dental practice located in Laguna Niguel, California, serving patients from throughout Orange County since 2001. The practice is led by Dr. Todd Snyder, who completed his dental education at UCLA School of Dentistry in 1994 and has since focused his career on cosmetic and restorative dentistry.
Dr. Snyder’s AACD Accredited Fellow credential positions Aesthetic Dental Designs among a small number of practices in Southern California offering this level of verified cosmetic expertise. Patients seeking teeth whitening, smile makeovers, and comprehensive aesthetic treatment travel from across Orange County and beyond.
Aesthetic Dental Designs
25500 Rancho Niguel Rd #230
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 990-3752
Office hours: Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM; Thursday, 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
For comprehensive information about the practice, credentials, and services, visit the main Cosmetic Dentist in Laguna Niguel page. Additional details about specific procedures are available on individual service pages including Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Bonding, and Dental Implants.
