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Teeth Whitening in Phinney Ridge
If you’ve been thinking about whitening your teeth but haven’t pulled the trigger, Phinney Ridge patients tell us the same thing after their first Zoom appointment: they wish they’d done it sooner. Dr. Ellison delivers professional-grade whitening results in a single visit — not the slow, inconsistent experience of over-the-counter strips. We’re just minutes from Phinney Ridge, and the difference is dramatic enough to be worth the short drive.
Zoom whitening is an in-office treatment that uses a powerful bleaching gel activated by a specialized light. In about an hour, Dr. Ellison can typically produce results that go far beyond what even the strongest at-home strips can achieve. Most patients leave several shades lighter — and for many, it’s a bigger jump than they expected going in.
Dr. Ellison does a lot of Zoom — it’s one of the most-requested treatments in the practice. She explains it simply: the initial jump in brightness takes real effort, but maintenance afterward is much easier than people think. A Crest or Opalescence strip once a month is usually enough to stay bright. She can also make custom bleaching trays if you want a more targeted maintenance option. See more details on the teeth whitening page.
We offer two whitening paths depending on your goals and timeline:
| Zoom In-Office Whitening The fastest way to a noticeably brighter smile. Done in one appointment, typically under an hour. Dr. Ellison uses a professional-strength bleaching gel and a specialized light to accelerate results. Most patients see a significant shade improvement in a single visit — with no waiting, no guesswork, and no uneven results from strips you apply yourself. |
| Custom Take-Home Trays If you prefer to whiten gradually or want an easy maintenance option after Zoom, we can make custom-fitted trays for at-home use with professional-grade whitening gel. These produce better, more even results than over-the-counter options and are a great complement to an in-office treatment. Ask about these when you come in for your cleaning and exam. |
Over-the-counter whitening products are constrained by law to a lower concentration of bleaching agent, which limits how much they can actually do. Professional Zoom uses a substantially stronger formula, which is why a single in-office session produces results you’d never get from even weeks of strip use. There’s also precision: strips slide around and whiten unevenly, while in-office treatment is applied consistently and activated in a controlled way.
For Phinney Ridge patients with sensitive teeth, Dr. Ellison is careful about which candidates are good fits for whitening — she’ll check that your enamel and gum health are in the right place before recommending the treatment, so you get great results without unnecessary sensitivity.
Phinney Ridge residents care about doing things well — from the coffee they drink to the healthcare they choose. Professional teeth whitening fits that standard. Dr. Ellison brings the same attention to detail to whitening that she brings to every other procedure — checking that your teeth and gums are ready for treatment, calibrating the process for your sensitivity level, and making sure you leave with results that feel worth it.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment at our practice. It’s something Dr. Ellison does personally, with the kind of care that makes a real difference in how your smile looks and how you feel about it.
We understand the financial side of dental care matters. Here are the ways we make it work for Phinney Ridge patients:
We’re just minutes from Phinney Ridge, and getting started is simple. Book online, call us at (206) 258-4207, or reach out through our website. We accept most major PPO plans — Delta Dental, Premera Blue Cross, Cigna, and others — and Cherry financing is available for whitening costs not covered by insurance. See full details on our financing and insurance page.
Dr. Cherryl Ellison – Dentist Serving Phinney Ridge, Seattle
Dr. Cherryl Ellison brings more than six years of clinical experience to every patient relationship — and a genuine belief that dentistry should feel like something being done with you, not to you. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and has spent her career building a practice known for clarity, honesty, and a warm, approachable chair-side manner.
Phinney Ridge patients tend to be engaged and informed, and Dr. Ellison appreciates that. She welcomes detailed questions, takes time to explain findings in plain language, and never pushes treatment you don’t need. Her goal is a practice where patients leave confident — not just about their teeth, but about the decisions they’ve made.
If it's been six months or more since your last visit, that's your cue. Most adults benefit from a cleaning and exam twice a year — it's enough to stay ahead of the issues that develop quietly between visits, like early-stage gum disease or small cavities that don't cause symptoms yet. If you've been putting it off for a year or longer, now is a great time to restart. We'll assess where things stand, address anything that needs attention, and set up a schedule that makes sense going forward.
We work with a number of major PPO dental plans, including Delta Dental, Premera Blue Cross, Cigna, MetLife, and others. Preventive services like cleanings and exams are typically covered at a high percentage — often 100% — since insurers recognize the value of prevention. For restorative work, coverage varies by plan, but we'll verify your specific benefits before your appointment and walk you through what to expect. We also offer an in-house membership plan for patients without insurance, starting at $36/month.
A dental crown is a cap that fits over a tooth that's been damaged, cracked, or significantly weakened by decay — restoring its shape, strength, and appearance. The process typically involves two visits: one to prepare the tooth and take an impression, and one to place the permanent crown. At Green Lake Cosmetic Dentistry, we use tooth-colored materials so your crown blends naturally with surrounding teeth. Dr. Ellison will explain exactly why a crown is recommended before any work begins, so you can make an informed decision.
Yes — cosmetic dentistry is a significant part of what we do. We offer teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, composite bonding, and Invisalign clear aligners. Many Phinney Ridge patients come to us specifically because they want a provider who handles both their routine care and any cosmetic goals in one place. Dr. Ellison approaches cosmetics thoughtfully — she'll help you understand what's realistic, what each option involves, and what results you can genuinely expect, without overselling.
Your first visit is primarily about getting a complete picture of your oral health. Dr. Ellison will review your dental and medical history, perform a comprehensive exam of your teeth, gums, and oral tissues, and take any X-rays needed to see what's happening below the surface. After the exam, she'll walk you through her findings in plain language — no dental jargon, no rushed explanations. If treatment is needed, she'll lay out your options and let you decide how and when you'd like to proceed. There's no pressure to commit to anything on day one.
We're located at 8018 Aurora Ave N in Seattle, which puts us just a few minutes from Phinney Ridge via Aurora Avenue or N 85th Street. Most Phinney Ridge patients find the drive quick and easy, with convenient parking on-site. If you have any trouble finding us, give us a call and we'll point you in the right direction.
Don't wait for a small issue to become a big problem. Whether you're due for a checkup or already know something needs attention, we're here to help—with no pressure and no surprises.
