Before the Big Photo: Whitening, Bonding and Timing
A new headshot, family photos, a reunion or graduation. Nobody wants to zoom in on their teeth. Here is what we would talk about first.
5.0 · 282 Google reviews (opens in a new tab)- $499 Whitening Special
- Conservative options first
- Most PPO plans accepted
- One Saturday a month · by appointment
Caring for Gilroy since 2012
What we would talk about first
These are conversation starters, not a diagnosis. Dr. Ajlouni examines you first and recommends what fits.
Headshot or profile photo
Stained or dull teeth?
We would look at professional whitening. If a tooth is chipped, we would talk about bonding.
Family photos
Smiling with everyone
A cleaning and exam are a good start. Whitening can refresh the look of stained teeth, and bonding is a common way to repair a chipped or cracked tooth.
Reunion or graduation
A gap or uneven edge?
Bonding can reduce gaps between teeth, and aesthetic contouring can reshape the sides of a tooth. We would explain which fits.
Presentation or interview
Feeling confident when you talk
Start with an exam and cleaning, then decide whether whitening or a small repair makes sense for you.
How professional whitening works
Opalescence take-home tray whitening with an in-office jump-start.
Visit
Scan for custom trays
We scan your teeth to make a custom-fitted whitening tray, which takes about 2 weeks to come back from the lab.
Visit
In-office jump-start
The Opalescence in-office system is a visit of about 2.5 hours and is the fastest way to jump-start whitening.
At home
Take-home whitening
Wear time is more like 15 minutes a day with the professional-strength whitening gel in your trays.
Good to know
Honest expectations
Some patients feel temporary sensitivity that fades within 24–48 hours. Not every patient reaches the brightest shade: genetics, current stains, oral health, medications and tobacco all matter, and some yellow or brown stains are permanent.
Plan the timing
A take-home kit runs 10 days and custom trays need at least 2 weeks from the lab, so build that in before your photo date. Call us and we will help you map it out.
See whitening and cosmetic care$499 Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional whitening designed to help reduce the appearance of stains and discoloration.
Results vary: genetics, current stains, oral health, medications and tobacco all play a part.
Chips, gaps and uneven edges
Bonding removes little, if any, of your original tooth, unlike veneers or crowns.
Dental bonding
Chipped or cracked teeth
Composite resin in a variety of colors is bonded to an existing tooth to repair a chip or crack.
Dental bonding
Gaps and faded areas
Bonding is also used to reduce gaps between teeth and to hide discoloration on a tooth's surface.
Aesthetic contouring
Reshape the sides
Our dentist can reshape teeth by sculpting their sides, instead of braces, crowns or veneers, to change their shape and look.
Big photo questions
How long does whitening take?
After the scan and in-office jump-start, take-home wear time is more like 15 minutes a day with the professional-strength whitening gel.
Will whitening make my teeth sensitive?
Some patients experience mild sensitivity that is temporary and subsides within 24–48 hours.
Can whitening fix every stain?
Not always. Some patients have permanently stained teeth, such as yellow or brown, and whitening can only do so much. We cover this at your visit.
What if I have a chipped tooth?
Dental bonding is a common solution for chipped or cracked teeth. Dr. Ajlouni recommends the most conservative option after an exam.
Can I use the $149 new patient special?
The $149 special (exam, full X-rays and cleaning) is for self-pay new patients and is not valid with insurance.
Do you accept my dental insurance?
We accept most PPO insurances. We do not currently accept HMO, DHMO, Medicaid, or Medicare plans. Regardless of coverage, the patient is responsible for the cost of service, so it helps to know your benefits before your visit.
Do you have Saturday appointments?
Dr. Ajlouni works one Saturday a month, mid-month, by appointment only. The next one is Saturday, November 14, 2026. Call us at (408) 848-5040 or book online.
Keep planning
New to the practice?
See what to expect at your first visit, the forms to bring and the $149 new patient special (self-pay only, not valid with insurance).
New patient informationReady to book a whitening consult?
Call us or book online. We look forward to seeing you.
- Most PPO plans accepted
- One Saturday a month · by appointment
- Se habla español